Thanksgiving alone with 3 kids, WWYD?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. i didn’t even know that Groupon was still a thing I do solo parenting often when DH is on business trips but this is usually combined with work, school, activities and planned outings. This situation is a last minute change of plan for 5 days. I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.

For the PP who is used to doing this, good for you i guess! I wish you had more constructive advices, it is not a competition !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How sad that the OP cannot think of what to do with her own children for a few days.

I was wondering where Sanctimommy was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. i didn’t even know that Groupon was still a thing I do solo parenting often when DH is on business trips but this is usually combined with work, school, activities and planned outings. This situation is a last minute change of plan for 5 days. I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.

For the PP who is used to doing this, good for you i guess! I wish you had more constructive advices, it is not a competition !

There is really nothing to advise. It’s five days. What would you be doing if your husband was home? Just so the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. i didn’t even know that Groupon was still a thing I do solo parenting often when DH is on business trips but this is usually combined with work, school, activities and planned outings. This situation is a last minute change of plan for 5 days. I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.

For the PP who is used to doing this, good for you i guess! I wish you had more constructive advices, it is not a competition !

There is really nothing to advise. It’s five days. What would you be doing if your husband was home? Just so the same.

No, boring! And it would emphasize that he was gone. Do something cozy and family-oriented that you normally wouldn’t do!

Pizza and board games!

Bundle up, find a pickleball court (equipment is cheap on Amazon)

Have a farm day and bring back a pie or some cider donuts.

Drive to a park for a family-friendly “hike”

Go pick out a few new holiday decorations at the mall and put them up together! Thanksgiving, or maybe ornament-making and a new kids’ tree in a silly color, if that’s in your tradition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. i didn’t even know that Groupon was still a thing I do solo parenting often when DH is on business trips but this is usually combined with work, school, activities and planned outings. This situation is a last minute change of plan for 5 days. I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.

For the PP who is used to doing this, good for you i guess! I wish you had more constructive advices, it is not a competition !

There is really nothing to advise. It’s five days. What would you be doing if your husband was home? Just so the same.

DP - if you have zero compassion for someone who handles a situation differently than you, why post at all? Dumping on people who don’t have your skill set isn’t helpful.

Good luck, OP! Fingers crossed for good weather this weekend.

[Anonymous]

If they’re generally good walkers go do the C section of the Billy Goat Trail one day. I did it in an hour and 20 mins with my 9yo. If they’re not good walkers go to the Great Falls overlook on the MD side, shorter walk but still fun. Stop at Starbucks on the way home for hot chocolate.

[Anonymous]

Rent a hotel room, order room service, and hit the indoor pool.

[Anonymous]

I'd give yourself a break and allow screen time LOL

I gave 2 kids now ages 13 and 11. At a certain point, you need the time off . You are still at the ages you want to be good mom - you will realize screen time us inevitable. And you need the time to relax so let them have a few days. In the long run they will recover from any damages of being on TV/iPads I promise 😀

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you swing an overnight stay at a hotel with a pool?

Honestly this is so unnecessary. And probably more stressful than just staying home.

+1. I never understood the moms who preferred to be always on the go with their little kids. I always found it much easier and less stressful to just be at our safe, child-proof home where I could leave the kids somewhat unattended from time to time within the house.

[Anonymous]

What would you normally do if DH was home?

[Anonymous]

I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

I feel bad for parents who have no life outside of being a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

I feel bad for parents who have no life outside of being a parent.

Did anyone force you to be a stay at home parent? I get a lot of unhappiness energy from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for kids whose parents seem not to be able to spend time with them for 5 days without a break.

I feel bad for parents who have no life outside of being a parent.

Did anyone force you to be a stay at home parent? I get a lot of unhappiness energy from you.

No, I wanted to stay home when I had my third child. DH earns a seven figure income and I don’t have to work. DH has never had to work thanksgiving or Xmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. i didn’t even know that Groupon was still a thing I do solo parenting often when DH is on business trips but this is usually combined with work, school, activities and planned outings. This situation is a last minute change of plan for 5 days. I am definitely planning to get a neighborhood teen to help for a couple of hours so I can get a break.

For the PP who is used to doing this, good for you i guess! I wish you had more constructive advices, it is not a competition !

There is really nothing to advise. It’s five days. What would you be doing if your husband was home? Just so the same.

DP - if you have zero compassion for someone who handles a situation differently than you, why post at all? Dumping on people who don’t have your skill set isn’t helpful.

Good luck, OP! Fingers crossed for good weather this weekend.

I’m not ”dumping”-I’m being practical.
Spending time with your older kids for a few days shouldn’t require hiring help.
And the extremes in advice is bizarre. One poster suggesting that Op’s 8 year old still needs help feeding, dressing, and using the toilet-while other posters suggesting op take the kids to water parks by herself!