Why Every Dad Deserves a Rest-Filled Thanksgiving

I want to make a plea from many of the fathers out there who are trying to celebrate Thanksgiving the way it should be… with a midday nap. Here’s the problem: some people in my house (my wife) find it hilarious to snap a picture of people who’ve fallen asleep after the big meal of every major holiday.

There I am, with a gut full of my favorite holiday fare, watching the football game, and the tryptophan from the turkey working overtime. Keeping me from entering my food-induced coma is like trying to stop a battleship on a dime; it’s not going to happen. But instead of falling into a peaceful slumber, I’m paranoid that I’ll be shown a photo of me later in the day with my mouth agape, drooling like a cartoon character. Heaven forbid I snore, so later I can have all the children showing me their rendition of the noises coming from my face. I feel very strongly that every major holiday should be a safe space for dads (or anyone) to crash out in the living room without fear of ridicule.

Why Rest Deserves a Place at the Table

Here’s my position on the matter: every party is a celebration of something. It could be a person, a sporting event, a moment, or an accomplishment. Thanksgiving is no different. It is a celebration of gratitude for the many blessings in our lives.  Part of that celebration is to rest in those blessings. I would even say that it’s biblical; part of God’s appreciation of his work was to rest in it.  He looked around and said, “This is good,” and rested.  Now, yes, it was the seventh day, but the order of work, gratitude, and rest was just the same. If you’re a parent, no matter which stage, I’m sure you would agree that the greatest blessing and work in your life is your family.

The Invisible Work Behind Every Gathering

Watching your family of multiple generations, area codes, or even upbringing (think in-laws) interact in the spirit of gratitude. To share the work, the hospitality, and hopefully the rest. To observe all these scenes unfolding in front of you, knowing the amount of work that went into your marriage, into parenting each child through their personal experiences, and understanding the effort required to have a relationship with your own parents now that you have a family of your own. There’s a job in every relationship in that room that takes effort and time.

All of this and the work outside the home to build your craft and finances that provide for the engine of your house, and anyone else who depends on your efforts, does not go without the necessities. It would hopefully drive us to easily celebrate and give thanks for the beauty in our lives. That we would not rush into a holiday experience built on expectations to bring this dish at that specific time, and if you don’t, you’ll receive the silent treatment with a heaping side of passive-aggressive undertones. But rather deepening the human bond that we have with each other and following the rhythm of our creator of work, gratitude, and rest.

I pray that you and your family have a happy and rest-filled Thanksgiving.

November 2025