Single Parenting the Holidays: Tips From a Single Mom

The holidays are often difficult for single parents. It can be difficult to find family time and balance work and child care responsibilities with extra demands such as holiday shopping, decorating, and home entertaining. This can lead to feelings of stress, loneliness, and over-exertion.

Even though you have a lot on your plate this holiday season, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are a number of ways to make the holidays a little easier as a single parent. Here are some tips on how to do it — from a single mom who has been there and done that.

Planning the Holiday Season

As with any time of year, planning is essential to making the holidays a little easier as a single parent. This includes holiday decoration, gift shopping, and meal preparation. You may want to start by deciding how you want to celebrate the holidays. If your family is spread out across different states or countries, hosting a party may not be an option. It might be best for you to take the holidays as they come and enjoy them as they come.

Another important part of planning is ensuring that you and your children know the schedule and that everyone’s needs are met. This can be tricky if you work outside of the home and have child care arrangements in place. It is important to communicate with your child’s caregiver about your children’s needs so that both of you are on the same page. Whether you’ll be late picking up the kids due to a work party, need the caregiver to avoid giving your child sweets at their holiday lunch, or your child is cranky because they were up late for a family dinner the night before, communication is key.

If you would like to have time as a family, try scheduling a night or weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Plan simple, easy activities like driving around to look at Christmas lights or staying home and having a holiday movie double feature.

If you’re like me, you’re a single mom who would rather spend time with your children during this time of year. It may be a good idea to ask family members or friends to respect your wishes ahead of the holiday season. Offer alternatives to family get-togethers, such as getting together in January instead.

Dealing with Family Expectations

It can be hard to deal with family expectations. You may have to deal with grandparents who want to spend the holidays with your kids, but your work schedule doesn’t allow for it. Or maybe you have aunts and uncles who expect you to attend every holiday party.

It’s not always easy to say no. Family expectations can lead to feelings of guilt or resentment. And if you don’t speak up, the pressure will only get worse.

It’s important to be honest with your family about your limitations. Be willing to talk about how you’re feeling and what you’re struggling with. Let them know that you’re not comfortable with any expectations that aren’t in your control.

If you choose not to speak up, the stress will likely build, and you might find yourself at the end of the year feeling resentful or guilty.

Your family may surprise you by offering compromises or solutions that allow you to stay within your limitations but also give them what they want. But even if they don’t, by being honest, you’ll feel better and your relationships will remain intact and unstrained (at least, unstrained by the holidays).

Socializing with Others

We all need a little help from our friends sometimes. Especially around the holidays! If you find yourself feeling isolated and alone, go out and socialize. Invite a friend over for dinner or invite a co-worker to a holiday potluck. It’s a great way to get out of the house and connect with other people.

Plus, it’s a chance to get a break from the kids! If you have older kids, you could ask them to watch the younger kids for an hour while you go out and enjoy time with friends.

And don’t feel bad about taking this break from the kids, either. As a single parent, you give most of your free time to your kids. You’re allowed to take some of that back for yourself.

Making Time for Yourself

When you’re a single parent, it can be easy to put everyone else’s needs before your own. But remember to take some time for yourself.

There are a lot of ways to do this. You can take a break from cooking and cleaning and head to the movies and dinner out with your kids. You can make a special effort to take time for yourself, like going out for dinner by yourself, reading a good book, or going for a run. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, try to take an hour or two to do something that will calm your mind and give you some peace.

The holidays are a special time to spend with loved ones. It is not only important to do things with your kids, but also to remember to do things for yourself!

Maintaining your Children’s Happiness

Even though your children might not understand why you and Daddy (or Mommy) aren’t celebrating the holidays together, they still deserve to be happy this holiday season. And that’s all you want for them, right?

It can be hard to balance work and single parenting responsibilities with the demands of the holidays. But it is important to make time for your children and make them feel loved and appreciated. One way you can do this is by making a list of their favorite holiday memories and traditions.

Another way to maintain their happiness is to spend a little extra time with them. It doesn’t have to be a big production, but it does require you to unplug from your work and put your phone away. A meal together, a walk, or a board game can be a great way to spend some quality time with your children this holiday season.

Looking Forward to the Future

The holiday season can be a difficult time for single parents. Some find it hard to find the time to do everything on their “to-do” list. And while some single parents are lucky to have family nearby, others are alone.

While this time of year can seem overwhelming, there are ways to make it easier. Remember, you are not alone.

It can be helpful to take a few deep breaths and remember that this is just a short break in your life. You’ll be back to your normal routine soon enough.

Looking forward to the future can help you stay focused on the present. Think about what you want next year to be like for you and your children. What would you like? What would make this holiday season more enjoyable? What do you want your kids to remember about this time of year?

It’s really important to take some time for yourself this holiday season, too. Get some rest, get some food, get some exercise, get out of the house — do anything you can to take care of yourself. You deserve it!