Preparation brings peace. This holiday season, let calm, not chaos, lead the way.

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Get ready for the holiday season with travel tips for caregivers, sensory-friendly planning ideas, and simple cybersecurity steps to protect your family. Stay safe, calm, and connected this Thanksgiving!

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🌻Finding Joy in the Unexpected

As the holidays approach, life seems to move a little faster. There’s food to make, events to host, and so many little details to juggle. But sometimes, the most meaningful memories come from the moments that don’t go exactly as planned.

A couple of weeks ago, we hosted a Día de los Muertos gathering to share Pan de Muerto with friends. I told my family the activity would start at 7 p.m., so we had plenty of time to finish dinner before guests arrived. Well… at 6:30 p.m., the first guest showed up — and within a minute, two more followed! I literally grabbed my bowl and hid in a corner to finish eating. 😂 We had such a great time, though!

Our next gathering was an Empty Nesters Veterans Day presentation. Since it was on November 10th, we also celebrated the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marines. My brother-in-law gave a presentation at a high school earlier that day, then drove a couple of hours to share with our group that evening. We invited him and his family for dinner before the presentation, which was scheduled for 7 p.m.

As we were cleaning up, I joked, “Last time I messed up and thought our event started at 7, but everyone showed up at 6:30, that was crazy!” Well… you can guess what happened next. At 6:30 p.m., people started walking in! My husband gave me that look (the “you did it again” look), and I dashed through the kitchen because I hadn’t done my hair or makeup yet. 🙈 I rushed, pulled myself together, and in the end, it all went beautifully.

Later that evening, as we finished cleaning up, my husband said, “I’m glad we’re done hosting parties for a while.” I smiled and reminded him, “You know Thanksgiving dinner is here, right?” He sighed and asked, “So… what time does that start?” I laughed and told him, “You tell me! Apparently, I don’t look at my own invites. When you figure it out, let me know the real time.” We both had a good laugh.

The Beauty of Imperfect Moments

The reason I wanted to share these stories is because this is what the holiday season is truly about. We can plan ahead all we want, but life has a way of adding its own little surprises. Sometimes it’s messy or off schedule, but when we go with the flow, everything turns out just fine.

I’m so grateful for friends and family who show up — even when I’m still eating dinner or running late! These imperfect, joy-filled moments are what make the holidays truly special.

As you move through this season, give yourself permission to laugh, let go of perfection, and embrace the unexpected. The “feel good” moments often show up when we least expect them — and they remind us that connection matters more than perfect timing.

🧳 Travel Tips for Parents & Caregivers

Whether you’re visiting family or taking a short trip, the holidays bring extra sensory inputs (crowds, noise, excitement, unfamiliar foods). Here are strategies to help you empower your young adult or child — and yourself — to enjoy the season with fewer surprises and more smooth moments.

1. Plan Ahead & Create Predictability

• Map out approximate arrival / departure times and share them ahead of time so your young adult knows what to expect.

• Use a visual schedule or simple agenda: e.g., “6 pm arrive → greet → 6:30 dinner → 8:00 quiet time.” Visual cues reduce anxiety. UPMC HealthBeat+3riseupforautism.com+3Child Mind Institute+3

• Research the destination (home, relative’s house, restaurant) to identify quieter rooms, low-stimulus areas, or escape routes. UPMC HealthBeat+1

• Prepare your young adult for potential changes — crowds arriving early, food delays, unexpected noises. Giving lots of warning helps. Child Mind Institute+1

2. Pack a “Sensory Travel Kit”

Include items that offer comfort and regulation:

• Noise-canceling headphones or good ear-muffs (for unexpected loud moments). North Shore Pediatric Therapy+1

• Sunglasses or a brimmed hat for bright lighting or sun. UPMC HealthBeat

• Fidget tools or a preferred calming object/blanket. Sensory Friendly Solutions+1

• Snacks your person tolerates (familiar comfort foods) — especially helpful when unfamiliar foods or buffet lines are involved. Autism Speaks

• Comfortable clothing (layers, breathable fabrics) so that physical discomfort doesn’t add to sensory overload. UPMC HealthBeat

3. Prepare for Crowded / Busy Moments

• Choose earlier or less busy times to arrive or do activities when possible — e.g., early dinner slot, arrive at gathering before peak chaos. UPMC HealthBeat+1

• Identify a “quiet zone” in the home or venue: a bedroom, backyard, or hallway where your young adult can retreat for 5-10 minutes if needed. Child Mind Institute

• Build regular “sensory break” times into the schedule: a walk outside, sitting quietly, listening to a favorite song. These breaks reduce overload. Apex ABA Therapy+1

4. Navigate Food & Dining Sensitivities

• If your person has dietary sensitivities or sensory issues around food (texture, smell, temperature), ask ahead about options or bring familiar food. riseupforautism.com

• Consider doing the big family meal at a time that allows you to stick somewhat to your usual routine (meal time, downtime) — routines help with regulation. AAA Club Alliance

• If the buffet or group dinner is too overwhelming (noise, smells, lines), plan an alternate: a quieter room, small plate option, or even dine a bit earlier/later.

5. Use Routine & Ask for Help

• Maintain at least part of their usual routine (bedtime, wake-up, downtime) if possible — helps the nervous system stay regulated. AAA Club Alliance

• Don’t hesitate to ask your hosts or relatives for help: “We may need the upstairs bedroom quiet for 10 minutes” or “Could we gather in the living room instead of near the loud sound of the TV?”

• Be okay with leaving early. If you see early signs of overload (covering ears, agitation, withdrawal), having a plan to exit reduces stress for everyone. Child Mind Institute

6. Set Your Own Expectations & Embrace Flexibility

• Remind yourself: “This may not go exactly as planned, and that’s okay.” Your young adult (and you) will feel less stress if perfection isn’t the aim.

• Celebrate what goes well, even if it’s different from plan. The unexpected moments often become the memories.

• You model calm, acceptance, flexibility — this helps your young adult feel safe and connected through the event.

✅ Quick Reference Checklist

• Visual schedule printed/shown in advance

• Sensory kit packed (headphones, sunglasses, fidget, snacks)

• Quiet space identified in location

• Meal plan/food options confirmed or backup snacks ready

• Sensory breaks built into timeline

• Exit strategy discussed if overwhelm happens

• Own mindset prepared: flexible, supportive, enjoying connection

🌟 Thoughts for enjoyable Travel

As you plan your Thanksgiving weekend visits or trips, you’re not just arranging plates and seating — you’re creating meaningful connection spaces for a young adult who may feel more comfortable one-on-one, in smaller groups, or when they have a bit of control. Your thoughtful planning lets you focus on what matters: being together, sharing gratitude, and making memories. Even when things shift or start early (yes, again), you’ll be ready — and that readiness means your whole family can breathe, smile, and enjoy the moment.

💻 Holiday Cyber Safety

Last weekend, at our community Emergency Preparedness and Self-Reliance Fair, my husband hosted a booth on Cyber Security. At first, it sounded like something only “big” companies worry about — but what he shared is that everyday families are often the ones most at risk.

Cybercriminals know that during the holidays, people are busy, distracted, and spending more online. That makes it the perfect time for scammers to strike. If you or someone you care for uses a cell phone, tablet, computer, or online banking, you could be a target — but a few smart habits can protect you.

This isn’t about fear — it’s about awareness. The goal is to help you and your loved ones feel confident and secure this season.

🎄 Holiday Scams to Watch Out For

📧 Email Scams

• Be cautious of fake links or strange email addresses.

• Hover (don’t click) over links to see where they really go.

• Poor spelling or grammar often signals a scam.

• Never give out bank or personal info by email — even if the message looks official.

• If a “friend” messages you asking for money, call or text them directly to verify.

📞 Phone Scams

• Hang up on calls claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or your bank.

• If someone says a relative is in trouble, confirm by calling that person or another family member directly.

• Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you made the call to a verified number.

💳 Credit Card and Gift Card Scams

• If you need to make a payment, go to the company’s official website to find their real phone number. Don’t just “Google” it — fake listings can look real.

• When buying gift cards at a store, inspect them carefully: make sure the packaging is sealed and not scratched or tampered with.

• If possible, buy gift cards kept behind the counter or directly from the retailer’s website.

• Be wary of emails or calls asking you to pay bills or “fines” with gift cards — that’s a common scam.

📱 Facebook & Social Media Scams

• Avoid games or quizzes asking for personal info (like birth year or hometown). Hackers use those clues to guess passwords or security answers.

📶 Wi-Fi Risks

• Use only trusted Wi-Fi connections at hotels, airports, or restaurants.

• Avoid “Free Public Wi-Fi” unless you confirm it’s from the real business.

• Consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when traveling.

🎁 Free Gift or Giveaway Scams

• Don’t plug in “free” USB drives, night lights, or chargers — they can carry hidden viruses.

• Avoid using public USB charging stations; use your own charging plug and cable.

💬 Final Thought

With awareness and a few smart choices, you can enjoy your holidays with confidence — shopping safely, sharing joy, and thriving together in every sense of the word. Next week I will share more on Cyber Safety.

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