Family Views – by Michelle Hensman

By mid-October family life seems to get back into the full swing of things. School schedules are in place, car pools are set, and extracurricular activities established. It’s one of my most favorite times of the year because the newness of learning still hasn’t worn off and the excitement of the holiday season is upon us. However, it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for my family and many of my brethren. Negotiating work, school, and volunteer schedules with sports practices and music lessons while balancing social time, leisure time and down time is virtually impossible because there’s not enough time!

As a caring and attentive writer for a family oriented column I’ve been paying close attention to the buildup of my own family during this transition time and asking random parents at various events how they do it all. Virtually everyone sighed deeply before answering, rolled their eyes and said, “We just do it!” Clearly not the answer I was hoping for. I wanted some good solid tips for myself and the Family Views readers.

So one fall evening I lit a candle, had a glass of wine asked myself, “What would Oprah do?” To which I laughed and replied…to myself, “She would send everyone to Disney Land in a new car.” Again, not the right answer for my situation. Then I heard Barbara Walters, in her unique accent, say, “You are not asking the right question.” She was absolutely right! When I rephrased my question to, “When your family is super busy what are you most thankful for?” I got overwhelming feedback that included some great ideas, heartfelt replies and several side-splitting belly laughs, which I’m happy to share…enjoy!

“I’m thankful for good quality, stretchy yoga pants that look like I spent the morning at the gym even when I really rolled out of bed in them and ran out the door.” “I’m thankful for parents who don’t act like fast food is the devil and agree that cereal at 7pm fills bellies just as well as pot roast.” “I’m thankful for other parents who have cars filled with sticky floor boards, dirty socks, cracker crumbs, fast food packaging and old or new school papers.” “I’m thankful for online tutorial websites that can help me with fractions, percentages, and algebraic expressions so I don’t seem so pathetic to my kids.” “I’m thankful for housekeepers; but wish I could afford one.” “I’m thankful for handy, self motivated, do-it yourself, get the job done husbands; even if they are not my own!” “I’m thankful for family/friends that still appreciate gift cards and don’t look at it as the easy way out…even though it really is.” “I’m thankful for the days I can sleep in.” “I’m thankful for volunteers who bring fresh ideas and energy to a cause and who don’t completely know what they signed up for but have too much integrity to walk away from their unbeknownst commitment.” “I’m thankful for vineyards and microbreweries and that my son is now 15 and passed the permit test and can drive me home…when necessary.” “I’m thankful that I don’t have all the answers so that way when I screw up I can play the deniability card.” “I’m thankful that I have a teenager who can keep me up to speed on the latest technology.” “I’m thankful for friends who continue to love, trust and count on me even after I flake on them.” “I’m thankful for other parents who curse and shout; it lightens my own guilt.” “I’m thankful for family networking which leads to carpools, potluck dinners and lifelong friendships”

As the writer of this column and member of this amazing family community, I’m personally thankful I’m not alone and we’re all in this together! Happy Thanksgiving!