Breaking Dishes, I Mean Habits!

Thanksgiving.... all done. Everyone is stuffed with stuffing and turkey and all the trimmings.

I am tired. I am glad that everyone came, ate and now the house is quieter and stiller.

I think I get the holiday blues. What I mean by this is growing up, holidays were not really the funniest (to say the least). My dad always made an attempt to ruin them.

When I got older and had my own family... I thought that magically holiday would finally be.

But you don't pick your family. You don't. I already bring my dysfunctional family into the mix but I didn't count on the fact that I am marrying into a "not into the holiday spirit" kind of family.

I realized that this year. I have too high expectations. Happy families are ones that are healthy and present. They may not be all smiley or engaging... but it is what it is.

I have some traditions that I want to instil in the boys... clean up. This is a sore spot with me. Usually the men disappear... waiting to be served dessert. This upsets me to no end.

Sanj and his brother were raised in very traditional households, where their mom pretty much served their dad... even to this day. Last year I said, "We cooked... so they guys can clean up."

They didn't have a problem with this... but their mother did. She got up right away and planted her self in front of the sink. She refused to let them do it. I was really annoyed. What is this teaching the boys?

This year as my sister-in-law and I cleaned up after everyone did the token tidy up... and my mother-in-law settled on the sofa... I realized that they weren't taught this .

I am not going to have this cycle continue. I was thinking that as the boys come home as they get older... it is a matter of sharing the duties. Those that don't help cook are on clean-up duty.

It is about learning, breaking habits and building ones that make everyone happy.

Maybe it is petty... maybe it isn't. If you are the one that shopped for the food, cooked the food, and then have to wash and clean it all up... it makes for a grumpy mom.

Thanksgiving was good for the boys. That is who I do all this for. I am so grateful for the chance to raise up boys to fine, well rounded, thoughtful men. I am sure my future daughter-in-laws will thank me! lol