Never mind the bird. The real Thanksgiving turkeys are those friends or family members who drive a carving knife through your heart with cruel or insensitive comments about your child or your parenting. If there were too many turkeys at your table today, let off some steam in the comments here or in our collection of toxic tales. On the other hand, if one of your blessings today was a supportive loved one who showed care and compassion for you and yours, cheer us up with a happy tale in the comments here or in our collection of kindnesses. Both burdens and blessings are better shared.

Also new today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day

_{Photo by Tim Boyle}

Read: "I've adopted very much a 'go with the flow' approach and I find it creates a calm, happy environment where little things don't matter. I think parents of any child with a disability develop an odd sense of perspective and sense of humour that keeps their nerves firmly rooted in their nerve sockets." -- "Mother of Michael: 4 Years," one of the parents of children with autism interviewed by Francesca Bierens in A Spectrum of Light, this week's featured book.

Reflect: Am I able to let things "go with the flow," and let little problems go? How has being the parent of a child with special needs changed my perspective? my sense of humor?

Respond in the comments with your own thoughts on this quote and how it applies to your life with your child.

Every weekday, take a moment to read, reflect, and respond to a passage from a book, blog, or article. ... More Reflections

Also new today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day

_{Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers}

Thanksgiving can be hectic, but there's usually an hour or two -- after you've put the bird in the oven, but before you have to start cooking anything else -- when you've got a smidge of leisure. Make it a tradition to spend it doing something special with your child, reading a holiday-themed book, watching the parade, playing a game, watching your Annual Thanksgiving Special Movie. Read my tips for making a Thanksgiving tradition out of relaxing with your child, and then share your own holiday traditions.

More Parenting Tips: Tips of the Day | Holiday Help | Parenting Book Reviews

_{Image by Terri Mauro}

What It Is: "What makes you thankful about your child, or about your experience of special-needs parenting? Whether serious, silly, or sentimental, your thanks here will be a public testimony to our children's worth, something the wider world sometimes has trouble appreciating."

Who's In Charge: The page is here on my About.com Parenting Special Needs site, but the contributions are from readers like you, and they're lovely.

Why It's Worth Checking Out: It's Thanksgiving today, but sometimes in the rush of preparing your child for a disruptive day with too much food and too many people, it's hard to remember what you've got to be thankful for. Read how other parents of children with special needs have expressed their gratitude, and after some reflection make your own contribution. Think of it as a way of talking back to all those relatives who refused to see the value in your child. (And when you're done, tell us about the outrageous things they said.)

More Sites of the Day

+ Page of the Day: Ten Reasons to Give Thanks for Your Child With Special Needs +