No matter what your situation, the hustle and bustle can be a challenge. Our son’s vomiting and feeding tube add an additional level of complexity. Family drama on top of it all guarantees this season will be an especially challenging one. I’m certain I’m not the only one dealing with this, so I decided to share some of the things I’m planning in order to make the holidays as joyful as possible. I hope they help, for both of our sakes.
We’re hosting Thanksgiving this year. It’s the only way to avoiding missing out on the food trying to manage the toddler’s tube feedings and vomiting. Dinner is the high point of Thanksgiving, and without me managing the kitchen it would be impossible to keep dairy and eggs out of as many items as possible. This can be as simple as pulling our son’s food out before the butter goes in, but that’s difficult to do without being underfoot in someone else’s kitchen (mostly because wherever I go the toddler is not far behind).
My Mom has been kind enough to manage the invites and track who can or cannot make it to dinner. I can easily buy the food when I’m at the grocery store the week before. Mom will help me cook and take over as needed if the munchkin needs my attention. Letting others help has been a big transition for me and I still don’t like it. I have, however, come to recognize its importance especially when it comes to family events. It’s unrealistic for me to find time to call each and every person and ask if they would like to come. I consider myself fortunate if my to-call list falls below five people on any given day.
It’s easier to manage the cooking, dishes, and bustle than it is to try and prevent our son from vomiting all over someone’s house. The formula he gets through his tube doesn’t come out even with repeated carpet cleanings. The smell tends to linger for months at a time. Avoiding vomiting episodes will be impossible with all the food he’ll want to taste. He’s getting much better at managing the food in his mouth. We hope to soon be passed gagging on everything besides purees we’re just not quite there yet.
Good luck planning your Thanksgiving. Hopefully, your loved ones will be understanding and supportive.
Struggling to Thrive 
This is so wise of you. I, too, chose this route for years instead of being constantly on high alert in other’s homes at the holidays, nervous about how the food was prepared and whether or not my daughter would be able to enjoy them. FWIW, in many items that normally require butter, I began using Earth Balance, a vegan alternative, and few people noticed the difference. Maybe worth trying in some of your dishes?
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That’s a great idea! I’ll have to see if I can convince my Mom it’s worth a try. Someone was telling me about vegan cheese also. It’s amazing the things the food industry has come up with. Thanks for commenting!
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