subject: Feeding Your Relationship On Thanksgiving [print this page] For many people the holidays begin with the preparation and coordination of Thanksgiving Day. This time of year can be a joy, full of family and appreciation; it can also be a stressful, hectic and unpredictable. Many relationship statistics show that the days leading up to this holiday prove to be some of the most stressful for couples of all ages and in some cases have devastating results.
Those couples who find themselves facing the upcoming holiday with a little hesitation may be facing some fairly tricky situations that may do more damage than is necessary. While Thanksgiving is ideally a day away from work and the stress of daily living it too often presents a host of new problems that can cause many couples a great deal of frustration.
Family:
When couples meet one anther's family's for the first time it can be very stressful; compounding that stress with need to make the holiday special can be especially difficult for anyone. It is often recommended that prior to a holiday meeting you plan a more private first meeting in advance. Taking a precautionary step may help you and your partner to avoid some of the awkwardness of meeting parents or other relatives for the first time on holiday.
If you and your partner are already acquainted with family there are still other stresses to consider around Thanksgiving. One of the most common causes of arguments amongst couples this time of year is the decision of where the holiday will be spent. Many couples argue about which family members to spend Thanksgiving with because they feel obligated or in some cases guilty. It is important to remember that your partner is very likely experiencing much of the same stress that you feel and to be patient and understanding of the situation.
While you may know your family well, your partner may not share your insight and therefore may not understand some of the quirks of your family. Help your partner out by giving them advice on anything from clothing style to conversation topics so that they can feel more at ease.
Playing Host:
Whether you and your partner have been hosting Thanksgiving for years or are undertaking the job for the first time the amount of work involved can quickly turn the holiday into a nightmare for those couples who do not work well together. Playing matchmaker to relatives and friends who may not always get along, while trying to summon up a great feast can cause any couple to quickly become irritated with one another, if not prepared.
It is important that both members of the couple pitch in when an event like Thanksgiving comes around, or that at least both partners are willing. Some couples have only one cook, or one host and that person may truly enjoy all of the work it requires to host a gathering of family and friends along with a larger dinner. Even if during the course of your courtship your relationship has had only one host, it is important that the other partner is always willing to lend a hand when needed so that the other person does not feel overworked and under appreciated.
Taking care of as much prep work as you can prior to the actual Thanksgiving rush is very important so that you and your partner can enjoy as much of the holiday as possible. If there are any issues to be smoothed out about the upcoming event, try to discuss them prior to the day so that additional stress isn't added to an already explosive situation.
Private Escape:
An excellent way to avoid the stress of family obligations is to set aside some special time for you and your partner to share alone before the event. Whether it's the night before or perhaps
