Anxiety about Thanksgiving

crystalknpp

DH and I had both our families over our house last year for Thanksgiving and we volunteered to host again this year.  Now that it's getting closer I am absolutely dreading it.  We're going to have almost 20 people at our house and I don't know how I'm going to get everything done with DS.  My main concern is that I don't want DS passed around all day on Thanksgiving and I also don't want him getting upset because of all the people and noise.  My MIL imparticular feels like since I see DS everyday that I should just "hand him over" to her whenever she visits etc.  We also finally have him on some what of a schedule and he's sleeping anywhere from 6-8 hours straight at night with 30min -1hr naps during the day.  The last thing I need is for him to be kept up during the day Thursday and be over tired and fussy.

How do I nicely ask people not to keep picking up my son?  My MIL also constantly asks to feed him etc. but I feel like with so many people and things going on it's important for me to keep as much consistency and routine as I can for him.  My plan is to feed and change him in his nursery with the door shut to give him some quiet time and allow him to nap. I'm sure this will make her mad since she already tells me I let him sleep to much during the day and I don't let her feed him. 

Petunia844

I dont have advice, just hugs.  I'm nervous for Thanksgiving and it's not even at my house... I'm worried about him getting passed around like you said, and just about him freaking out the whole time because everything is so different.  I'm planning on feeding him in a different room too, and hoping he'll let me wear him most of the time.  I just hope we can all enjoy the holiday and not be too worried about LO.

Scooby2358

Petunia844:

I dont have advice, just hugs.  I'm nervous for Thanksgiving and it's not even at my house... I'm worried about him getting passed around like you said, and just about him freaking out the whole time because everything is so different.  I'm planning on feeding him in a different room too, and hoping he'll let me wear him most of the time.  I just hope we can all enjoy the holiday and not be too worried about LO.

This - how is your LO on being worn? It might help deflect some people who want to pass him around, since he's pretty clearly off limits in a wrap or sling. Depending on how he feels about being worn, it might also help him get his naps in.

Oh, and your MIL can go fly a kite. I hope it's not too stressful for you. ((hugs))

adoxyinherear

I so feel you. We're hosting Christmas next month, and we also just have tons of celebrations that are really going to wreck our routine. I think you're the mom, and if you're firm about it, people will get over it. *hugs* At least this is what I am hoping for!

crystalknpp

Thanks girls! I think I'm going to definitely try wearing him.  He's been really clingy the past few days and will only fall asleep on my shoulder so I think this may actually work really well with trying to get him to nap!  

charmedgrl517

Hugs. Hope everything goes good! I am worried about her getting overtired from all the excitement!

Junebug060609

Stand your ground.  I had similar issues at Christmas last year and found that when someone objected to my taking him away when he showed nap signals saying (I totally took him to our room and shut the door like you plan to), "You're welcome to keep holding him if you want to come by at 2am to deal with the repurcussions of him being overtired."  Shut them right up and they handed him right over.  Sometimes the grandparents forget about the repurcussions, I swear.

 

gilmoregirl105

Sorry no advice, as it is something I am trying to learn to deal with myself.  On Sunday we had DD's christening and she did amazingly well at the actual ceremony and was fine when we first got to her party, but then everyone was just in her face and she got so overwhelmed and started crying.  I actually took her away from everyone to a separate room at the hall so she calm down. 

Good luck! I think it will help to give your son quiet time alone with just you. 

I'm nervous about Thanksgiving as well and it is not even at my house, just because I know it will be a long day and I worry about DD getting overwhelmed again.  I'm thinking I might bring her activity mat with us and try to give her some sense of her normal routine, usually she plays on her mat everyday so I'm hoping that will help.