We spent our Thanksgiving at this great place in West Virginia with my entire family-in-law.   This place is peaceful, child and animal friendly, and very well priced!  Yes, you can bring your dog; we took Super Dog with us!  Yes, I know, plug, plug!  But, it’s really awesome!

We arrived on Tuesday morning at 4:30am to a serene and chilly day.  Our drive was rather uneventful.  The roads were devoid of cars but riddled with deer.  Although I must say, to all those people who say to wake up your kids in the middle of the night because they'll sleep during the car ride; it doesn't work!  My daughter was so excited about the trip she stayed awake for the entire car ride watching movies!

 
We spent Thanksgiving Day in the kitchen, preparing the food for the feast.  Even the kids could feel the excitement in the air.  Chef Andy was very accommodating.  He cooked the turkey with Olive Oil so I was able to eat it!  He also set aside cooked potatoes and cooked green beans for me to fix as desired.

 
I prepared the potatoes with goat cheese and rice milk and had plain green beans with olive oil and salt and pepper!  I also made some lactose-free pumpkin pie and Jello for dessert!  I was stuffed silly!  I was so happy to be able to share in the meal!

 I remembered back when I was growing up.  We used to have Thanksgiving with my mom’s brothers and sisters and their families.  And of course it was due to space, but the kids were always relegated to their own table or they had to eat first.  Then, after they had been rushed through their meal, the kids were dismissed for the “grown-ups” to sit down to dawdle with their wine and coffee; to conversation and merriment.  Once I was old enough to “join” the adults at the table I remember feeling very special.

 
Kids should not have to wait to feel special!  Period.  Thanksgiving is a wonderful time!  If you’re fortunate enough to have family around, it’s a time for rejoicing, reunion, and sharing.

 
If at all possible, give your children the opportunity to share in this event.  Even if you know they won’t eat anything; even if they’re going to get up within five minutes to chase after grandpa’s cat.  It’s not about the food.  It’s about the lasting memory; the family bond, and the experience that you’re building for your child.

 
If you did not get a chance to do it for Thanksgiving, you still have the upcoming Winter Holidays:  Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the New Year; whatever it is that you celebrate.

 
Teach your children the importance of family.  It may not seem like it, but children are constantly learning.  They see how we act and react to the world around us.  They see whether we take time to hear grandma’s re-telling of how the cat can use the toilet.  They notice when we foster a relationship with an estranged family member.  Don’t allow your kids to grow-up relationship challenged.  Give them the tools they need to become functional and relational adults!

 
 Happy Holidays!!