Four Thanksgiving Stress Busters:
#1: Keep the Costumes Comfy

Thanksgiving's less than a week away, and I'm feeling like a turkey. I behave badly when under stress to cook and clean and make my children live up to other people's expectations. I'm not thankful for the way it sometimes makes me act.

In an act of charity to myself, I've tried to strip the holiday of as much superfluous stress as possible, short of actually telling everybody to stay home and ordering in a bucket of fried chicken. One of the first things to go: Any semblance of dress-up outfits for myself and my offspring. Life is too short.

If you love to turn your child out in high style, but hate the hassle of getting sensitive souls to consent to stiff garments, or of making sure said garments stay clean through a long meal and assorted forms of horesplay, ask yourself: Is the finery worth the fuss?

Dressing for the occasion doesn't have to mean dressing up. Even a small festive gesture can make the day special, without making it more strained than it already is. Check the article Dressing for Thanksgiving for some tips for kids who don't do dress-up, and put away all that itchy lace and stiff velvet and tight paten leather for good.

More Thanksgiving Stress Busters:

• Make the Menu Safe
• Start a Thanksgiving Tradition
• Disregard the Relatives