Thanksgiving is a pretty simple affair for our family.  There are only three of us here in Ohio, with the rest of our clan on the west coast.  Our parents are older and don’t want or enjoy traveling to cold destinations and we generally visit them in the summer rather than winter.

The good news is, that cooking for the holidays only has to be as complicated as I make it.  After hearing from my daughter this weekend, apparently I’m working too hard.  I was discussing what I planned to make for our holiday meal.  I mentioned cranberry sauce and she asked if we could have “the special kind Grandma makes that tastes like jello.”

Ummmm… could that be the kind that  comes out of a can and needs to be sliced?  Gee.  And to think I was going to go through all that trouble of making it fresh!

I learned about this event from a fellow writer and friend, Jill Miller Zimon.  She’s the mom of three kids and one who cares a lot about her community.  In the year that an African American has broken the racial barrier, and at a time when our country reflects such diversity in age and wealth, exploring diversity in our schools seems like a pretty good idea!

Here’s what she sent:

On Monday, December 1, the Orange Schools Foundation will present, “Diversity in Our Schools” with Dr. Anthony Muhammad, a nationally-recognized educational expert and president of New Frontier 21 Consulting. Dr. Muhammad deploys a straight-talking “no excuses” philosophy to ensure all students’ achievements. 

Attendees will participate in an interactive workshop that will focus on understanding diversity in our schools and learning how, with their children, they can develop strategies for educational success.

The event will take place from 7:00 – 9:00pm in the Orange High School Auditorium.  The Orange High School is located at 32000 Chagrin Boulevard in Pepper Pike. For more info: 216-831-8600, ext 5001 E-mail: orangefoundation@orange.k12.oh.us

I have been following with dismay, the stunning response to Nebraska’s bill that made the state a safe haven to help overwhelmed parents and guardians.  Legislators were thinking of babies and toddlers who had been abandoned by young mothers.  Instead, 35 children, typically adolescents, have been dropped off.  They have come from all over the country, some parents driving days just to turn over their children to the state.  In many cases, the children had no idea they were being left behind.

The state held an emergency legislative session last Friday to try and fix the problem, as they don’t have the resources to place these children. But, the outpouring only exposes a bigger crisis.  Many parents today are simply overwhelmed, either by unruly or sick children, lack of resources,mental illness, or no emotional support.  I can’t even imagine what will happen to the emotional well-being of the children left behind - how do we help raise these children to have a positive, productive outlook?

I bet there are plenty of parents right here in Cleveland who at times have felt like giving up.  If you are one of them, please reach out.  Getting help before the point where hopelessness sets in is the key.  Talk to your friends, teachers, community and church leaders - sometimes just connecting with others makes a whole world of difference.

If you have a story to tell, feel free to share it here.  Again, it’s the sharing that makes us feel less lonely.  And, if you know of another mom who has almost reached the breaking point, please reach out.  We all benefit by supporting one another.

I learned a new parenting rule last night from my daughter.  I’m in Florida to speak at a conference, so our good nights were done over the phone.  After we said goodbye, I hung up.  Thirty seconds later, she called me back to tell me I had “hung up on her.”  I did?

“Yes,” she said.  “I told you I loved you.”

I thought we had both exchanged I love you’s - but apparently she had one more in her that I didn’t hear.  So, in addition to my advice about never being the first one to let go during a hug - never be the first one to hang up the phone when speaking with your kids!  You just never know what else you’ll hear.

Just thinking about Thanksgiving makes my mouth water.  I love all the traditional fall foods, and guess what, they’re good for you too! (That is if I don’t douse my meal in gravy and salt.)  Regular readers of this blog know I’m a firm believer in eating and serving REAL food - that means food as close to its original form as possible without deep frying, adding chemicals, or creating in a factory.

This is not just my personal preference, there are many good reasons to consider what we serve our children:  non-manufactured food is cheaper and will stem the tide of obesity and Type II diabetes that too many children face.  There’s also a marked difference in energy and concentration levels of children who consume complex carbohydrates versus empty calories.  When I meet with a child in counseling who is stressed or performing poorly academically, I always ask how he or she copes.  Many times the answer involves a binge on junk food.

As I stare at about two pounds of leftover Halloween candy (known as UNREAL food) my system is screaming for something healthy.  Luckily, a Q104 listener sent me a link to a terrific site called Nourish Your Kids. If you don’t know what to serve picky eaters that tastes good and is good for them, check out this site.  I’m going to try the oatmeal-chocolate muffin recipe to start.  I’m positive I’ll have a willing taker!  Let me know your favorite healthy recipes.