Please Excuse Our RenovationsA Thanksgiving gremlin is no different than a Christmas gremlin. Wherever and whenever they can, these little imps cause havoc. They strike when you are the most vulnerable. But those instances are few and far between now that you have been executing this plan to prevent them from getting in your way. Happy Thanksgiving... For those of you who celebrate in November I wish you a happy, fun-filled and relaxing Thanksgiving dinner party with your family and friends. Now, stop here for a moment, take a deep breath and relax. It’s time for a perspective check. Do you recognize this person?
Several times a year, at special traditional family gatherings, she/he morphs from a normal multi-tasking individual into a superhuman being who performs extraordinary magic. For these events, she/he takes on a multitude of personas; event planner, social convener, gourmet chef, and supreme host/hostess and entertainer. Add to that, the role of family counselor as siblings and relatives allow their inner children out to play. You guessed it! This person is you, Chief! Is it any wonder that expectations run high with resulting stress and burn out? Chief, you are the inspiration for my creation of this Gremlin Prevention Plan and for the theme of my website, Easy Ways to Easy Living. Your accomplishments to date are truly amazing. Go ahead now and see how well you are doing with your successfully aborted gremlins. Are you happy now that you have changed your way of doing things? How do you like your results so far? The Gremlin of Children at Christmas Case Scenario Family and guests begin arriving for Christmas dinner around 4:00 pm. Grandchildren, all 4 of them, ranging from 2 to 10 years of age, are filling the house with laughter and excitement. Christmas is for children isn’t it? What about Grandma? No time for the kids now, Grandma must attend to dinner preparations. The kids love Grandma and want to be with her. Grandma politely asks parents to take the kids out of the kitchen. One of the little ones escapes and hovers around Grandma while she is moving around the kitchen between the hot stove and the sink. Once again, Grandma not so politely reminds the parents to get these little ankle biters out of the kitchen. Stress is building. Parents and Grandma are becoming impatient.
Gremlin Prevention Whether Christmas dinner, or Thanksgiving dinner, it is reasonable to request that children at these events keep out of harm’s way – particularly the kitchen. Most children like to feel useful, even though they like to choose their own way to do so. An appointed supervisor for the children, perhaps an adult who would rather not be involved in food preparation, could direct them in very useful activities to contribute to a wonderful day.
See examples List of Character Roles and Assigned Tasks. Gremlin Prevention
Remember, if you have prepared yourself emotionally, mentally and spiritually, as described at the beginning of this plan, you will be able to laugh in the face of the odd gremlin that pops up. Keep your calm in the stillness and peace of the present moment. TAKE NOTHING SERIOUSLY!
Now, please go to the November To Do List. Case Scenarios:
January,
February,
March-August,
September,
October,
December,
Glossary of Terms Character Roles and Assigned Tasks Return from November Gremlin Prevention to Last Christmas? What Stress?
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