Hot Toys November 2009
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Don’t you just love these stories? Via an appearance on Oprah, Sarah Palin told Levi Johnston that he is welcome at the Palin’s Thanksgiving table. We will file this story in the Yeah, Right department.
So we know that Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin were not married and the former couple will not have to deal with at least some of the difficulties a divorce with children brings along. One of those difficulties for single parents, especially new single parents is how to deal with holidays that are spent without your child.
Sarah Palin has a great idea that, however, may not be the most practical one: Simply stop by, sit down, chat and have some turkey. Really? Let’s be realistic here: If those alienation charges that were fired by Johnston against Palin and the rather sour and brief responses by the Palin camp are not part of an elaborate PR game, wouldn’t you want to see how the communication at the dinner table goes? Would they discuss the fantastic stuffing and the juicy turkey? The delicious sweet potatoes and Sarah’s home-made cranberry sauce? Hmmh.
“Because,” Palin said, “he is a part of the family and you want to bring him in the fold and kind of under your wing. And he needs that, too, Oprah. I think he needs to know that he is loved and he has the most beautiful child and this can all work out for good.” When asked about the Thanksgiving dinner, she said: “It’s lovely to think that he would ever even consider such a thing.” I am not so sure if he actually considered a visit at the Palin house, other than to pick up his son, but using the word “lovely” may be stretching reality just a bit.
Palin’s remarks will sit well with the PR guys and lawyers who will try to convince a court that Johnston’s alienation allegations are ridiculous. Is there better opportunity to show that than a public invitation to the Thanksgiving table?
However, there are numerous former couples out there who do celebrate Thanksgiving at least in part together. And the fact that Levi’s baby is still very young, it is not entirely impossible to do just that. But generally, holidays are those days on which children of divorce spend time with just one parent and her/his family. Especially in the very beginning, separate celebrations send the signal that parents are in fact separate and will not get back together, which is an important part of providing a sense of stability to children.
It is tough to spend Thanksgiving alone and for those who have to be without their children, there are some tips how to survive the day. Read Donna Ferber’s advice for some food for thought.
