Alone today...Anyone Else?

Updated on November 26, 2011
M.L. asks from Vail, AZ
25 answers

Welp, I don't have any family here and my husband worked all last night so he is sleeping. It's just me and the kids. I try not to be sad, but I am. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, healthy children, and a hard working husband. Anyone else out there besides me?!?!

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So What Happened?

I guess there are more factors involved than what I devulged. Thanks for all the support guys, I appreciate it! :)

Featured Answers

✿.*.

answers from Los Angeles on

You're not home alone silly :) all that matters is right in front of you. do you have any games you can play (UNO, etc) or you can watch a movie with treats.
Happy Thanksgiving!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I'm here with my laptop and my cat! My daughter is playing with her friend down the hall. We spent some of today with her dad and cooked dinner and made a pie (for the first time!) and shared it just the three of us.

I've had a Thanksgiving alone, just me and a good book, and it was good...

1 mom found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Seattle on

I am. My husband works nights and so he slept all day and the kids are at the other parents this holiday. All of my family is East coast now and I am on the West coast. It is actually quite depressing. I can't wait till Christmas.

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T.M.

answers from Tampa on

You are not alone...you have the most important people in your world right next to you...your children and your husband! Call your extended family on the phone!

5 moms found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

STOPPP! I was making my way home from a long road trip today alone with 3 kids (5,3 and 2). Family trauma ended our holiday visit (two days drive away) early. We were checking out of the motel this morning, and with all the difficulty maneuvering stuff etc and getting into the car, I felt a little blue. My husband hasnt' been home since early Sept. I was so shocked I had the nerve to be blue with the most precious company I could ever have with me-my awesome kids!!!. I've been alone for holidays before, and this is NOT alone. When I got everyone packed in, we spent the next 50 miles recounting everything we are thankful for and they came up with some doozies. We also left big tips and made a point to wish Happy Thanksgiving to everyone working in all the gas stations, etc on the way home. It was rough coming home to the ice cold empty house and unloading the car myself, but we're all here, safe once more after a long trip. You are not alone. Enjoy this holiday!

5 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I grew up in the military. It was always just us for all holidays. And us normally meant my dad not there too if he was deployed or flying.

You're not alone - it might feel that way, but cheer up! You're kids are there - make a memory!!

Don't feel bad though. And I don't mean for this to come across wrong, but I can't tell you how many of my friends who's spouses are not home right now and they are enjoying the day, while worrying if their spouse will come home or not. Be thankful for what is right at home with you. It's a blessing - and enjoy the rest of the day!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

4 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

From a kid's point of view... ALL our thanksgivings and xmas's were just us. We were military, so we were usually 3000-5000 miles away.

Personally, I prefer it. :) :) :)

There's something special and magical about being with your family (and not the entire freakin' extended family) on those days!!!

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Could be worse! My kids woke up yesterday draining, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, vomitting and well...you know. It ain't pretty, and we had to cancel with my family.

We're bummed. The kids don't even want to look at any food. And I think I may be next. I am however thankful that everyone is alive and safely at home and our extended family is enjoying a nice dinner free of our germs.

Enjoy your day. I just saw a report on the news about an entire family that died in a private plane crash on their way to see family for Thanksgiving. How horrible for them and their relatives who were waiting to see them. Be thankful for safety and being together tonight. That's a real gift.

3 moms found this helpful

L._.

answers from San Diego on

You have your friends and an internet full of people to talk to and hopefully, the Lord if you know him. You are not alone :)

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B.A.

answers from Chicago on

This is an opportunity, not an alone situation. Make a memory with your kids. Go online and find a Christmas cookie receipe that you can make together with your kids and start prepping for Christmas or decorate your house for Christmas. Or have/help your kids make and wrap presents with stuff you have around the house. Do something great, make a memory for your kids. You have all your precious cargo with you. Go outside and play hard with them. Make them believe that a day is special because you make it that way not because you wait for someone else to make it that way. I am here with my kids, my husband is sleeping as he has to go to work soon, so there are memories, giggles, and hugging that is happening here. About to show them how to make homemade hot chocolate and clearing the spot for our tree. What would make me sad and alone would be not being blessed with friends and family or knowing I didn't take the opportunity given me. Many have soldiers who have died this year, are sick and dying of cancer, are losing their homes, psych disorders that make them unable to enjoy others, homeless. So enjoy the life you have and be greatful for this opportunity for you to make this moment of many lives wonderful.

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K.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I grew up military and holidays were always just us; now I prefer it that way. It's just me and my daughter today, but I started a new tradition for us. I cooked a bunch of food yesterday and this morning we packaged it up, took a nice long walk and handed it out to the many homeless in our neighborhood. It's our new way of giving thanks for all our blessings.

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

Alone is how you define it. You could be alone in a room full of people and be happy with a few. Make the best of what you have and enjoy the time you have with your kids and do something special with them like setting the table or making a special card for dad when he wakes up.

Have a happy weekend.

The other S.

PS Hubby and I had dinner with a neighbor who was alone. Our kids live in two different states and were not feeling well so they stayed home. We had a great time and now we are home to have dessert.

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J.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm in the same boat as you. We have no family nearby, and this is actually our first Thanksgiving since my husband moved out. We were supposed to go to our friends' house for Thanksgiving, but their kids are sick, and everyone else we know is with THEIR family. It's hard not to be wistful for what you don't have with you. Playing games with your kids and watching movies is all well and good, but you can do that any day of the year. For me, family and friends are what make the holidays truly special, so I totally get where you are coming from.

I'm throwing myself a bit of a pity party, I'm not going to lie. But at the same time, yes, we do have so much to be thankful for. And there is something to be said for being free of the family drama that so often accompanies these holidays when the extended family gets together.

I'm going to try to think of fun Thanksgiving traditions I can start for upcoming years just in case we ever find ourselves on our own again. It will probably get easier as the kids get older and are able to participate more as well.

2 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I am about to be alone . My husbands father asked hm to go on an overnight trip. I told him to go.

Our daughter is up at college.. The cat died this summer, so I am totally about to be all alone.. It is ok. I have all of you out there to keep me entertained.

Happy Thanksgiving. Give your kids a big snuggly hug for me.. I miss our girl.

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Yup, it's just me and my cat this afternoon. I cooked turkey last night for my boys and me. They went to their dad's to watch football this afternoon. So I baked a couple pumpkin pies and we'll eat them when they get home this evening. It's snowing and getting dark so I'm going to close up the house, put on my sweats and curl up with a good book and some HGTV.

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J.K.

answers from Sacramento on

M.~ You have your kids and I bet your husband will be up to eat dinner with you! Call your family and your friends and eat some pie!! Happy Thanksgiving!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.H.

answers from Dallas on

I can relate to feeling sad today. My only child who's 13 is spending all day with his dad. I miss him! Maybe if you do something fun with your kids, you'll feel better. I hope you feel better!

1 mom found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

It's just the four of us. But really that is better than dealing with some of the family dramas that have gone on in the past.

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P.B.

answers from Spartanburg on

But you are not really alone, if your husband is there, plus you have your children! My ex is really alone today. After screwing his life up by destroying his family and pushing away his parents and friends with his behavior, now he lives far away from everyone and, he REALLY is alone.All his coworkers having family gatherings today and he's all alone in his apartment. Now, that's SAD. Talking about what goes around, comes around...I feel bad for him, though. You should NOT be sad! Happy Thanksgiving!

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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Oh M.,

I totally understand from having moved so often..I did not have freinds/family in a new community. So, my solution....I make my own holiday plans. If you know your hubs is going to be inaccessible, reach out to a church group, a mom's group, a book club at a library, make friends for you to invite over.

This past Thanksgiving in Canada, which was last month, I invited a sweet family over, new to Canada. They had never seen a whole turkey before. Our kids had a lot fun setting the table together, and playing Wii, and I had someone to cook with and drink wine with.

I would also recommend a hike, a bike ride, a stroll, and still make Thanksgiving for your family. Have it ready when your husband wakes up. The smell alone will wake him up.

Happy Day!!

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N.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Oh yeah, except that I am the one who got home from work at 7 am. Hubby is at work. Sometimes holidays don't go the way you would like to imagine and I can understand being sad. I hope you get to do something fun when everyone is rested. And yes, it is good to be working and to have a roof over your head!

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

we were home by 3, and didn't even leave the house till 10, so basically. Some holiday's it bugs me, this is one, I would love more turkey and maybe it wouldn't be so bad if my kids were here, but I have to share the holiday with their dad so they left at 4. Now Christmas I enjoy not having to run and stress and just getting to stay home in my jammies with my kids.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

We were going to be alone this year, but my husband's friend from work invited us again. They are a really nice couple, no kids, and family is far away, so we get together. It's nice! It may be too late for this year, but next year, if you have single friends, or friends with far-away family, have a friend-filled Thanksgiving. Hugs to you!

N.Z.

answers from Indianapolis on

Dear M.,

I hope today has you feeling better...I hope your husband has rested and you are busy simply being a mommy. I want to say that I am sorry for your loneliness and that I understand it. My wish for you is that you connect with other women who can create a sense of family for you...I think there is a lot to be said for the days when women lived together in large groups, raised children together along with their husbands. I know that you are grateful for your life and that's wonderful! What I would suggest besides finding the support of other women is to discover things that you enjoy doing or find a place where you can "focus out" and give to others...and enjoy "who" you are being and the difference you can make for others.

Sending much love and an appreciation for all that you do...as you raise humanity and become the "core" of a family,

N.

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A.C.

answers from Savannah on

Sorry that you were feeling sad. Hope it ended up being a nice day, or that you're feeling better today. My mom was alone (though I WISH she'd take us up on our offer to fly her out "whenever" she wants). My grandpa's girlfriend was alone; he passed away a month ago. I was alone for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year, from 1995-2000. Just one of those times. Even if you don't feel like it, it still does help to get your eyes and mind off of yourself and do something for others, and it helps you be thankful even if it's not the best phase of your life. I don't mean that to sound mean---just saying to volunteer or do something special for your kids, or "whatever"....it does help.

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