Day 1: Twelve Days of Encouragement for the Chef’s Family

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The holidays are a tough time for our Emulsified Family.

12 days of encouragement for the chefs familyBy the end of December, my chef/husband and I are usually just ready for Christmas and New Year’s Eve to be over.  I know that sounds horrible but December is a really hard month when you are married to a chef.

It’s 4-5 INSANE weeks of working way too many hours for my chef/husband.  We really don’t see him much at all during this time.  Because of this I struggle with loneliness, even with 3 kids.  I also feel bad that we are out doing fun Christmas things and my husband is slaving away at work to provide for us.  I could say more, but it would really just sound like complaining, so I’ll stop.

I thought maybe this year would be different, with him being the COO of a restaurant group and out of the kitchen, but the hours have still been crazy…including a restaurant opening.  I am thankful for his days off this month and don’t want to take them for granted, as I remember many years, he rarely had a day off in the month of December.

Since so many of you can relate to our family, I would guess that we are not alone in feeling this way each holiday season.

While in the past, I’ve dreaded the month of December as a chef’s wife, I’ve decided this Christmas season is going to be different.  No more moping around and wishing it was over for this chef’s wife and kids.

So for the next 11 days, I’ll be writing notes of encouragement to your family (and mine) to help us get through this holiday season as Emulsified Families.  They’ll be short posts and I’ll post them early each morning so that we can have something to think about each day.

I’ll make sure to post about them on Facebook or you can come back to the blog every day.

So for this first day of encouragement, I want you to know that you are not alone and that I will be praying for each of you who are reading this blog today and for the next 11 days.

I probably have never met you in person. You might not have ever left a comment on my blog or social media, but thanks to Google Analytics, I know you are there and I know that many of you struggle, just like I do during this time of year.

If there is a specific way I can pray for or encourage your family during the holidays, I would love to know. Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you!

What is hardest for you and your Emulsified Family during the Christmas season? Let me know in the comments below.

From one chef’s wife to another,

Jennifer

 

PS:  If you are shopping on Amazon.com this Christmas season, would you use my affiliate link to help me keep this blog online?  Thanks! 🙂

You can view other days in this series here.

 

8 Comments

  1. Marisa

    Your chef hubby is lucky to have such a supporting family. I’m sure it helps him get through the long hours!

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      I hope so! Just wish things were a little less chaotic when we was home. But with 3 kids and lots of rain, we’re stuck inside and it can get a bit crazy! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Samantha Jenkins

    I like knowing I am not alone, and it’s amazing to read your things, and seeing other families go through it just like I do, and can be as supportive of their husbands as I am. In now pregnant with teins, and terrified of his hours once the babies come in May, but I know all things will work out!!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      Twins … Congratulations! But one day at a time or it’s too overwhelming!!! 🙂

      Reply
    • Crystal Blyzes

      It will. My husband is a sous chef and I have 2 yr old twins. I had a toddler too at the time that is now 5 when my twins were born. I was lucky that my girl slept during the day And was up at night and I was able to focus more on my boy who was up during the day. My husband was home late at night and he had our little girl. Hopefully that will work for you guys as well. With twins, u do have to work as a team but it can be done with your husband as a chef. It was more about survival mode for me and falling asleep with a baby on top of me cause I was alone with my twins more often than not. Get help when he’s not around if you can. Things will get easier as they get older. Good luck with everything.

      Reply
      • Jennifer

        Thanks for sharing Crystal! It’s always nice to hear from someone who can relate to what we are going through and that is just a little further along and has survived!!

        Reply
  3. Jennifer L

    Hi, Jennifer!
    I sent an email…I struggle with insecurity and could really use some calming prayers.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      Got it! Just responded!

      Reply

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