5 Tips for Christmas as a Single Parent

Worried about the blues that come with Christmas and the holidays that follow? Below are some great tips that will go a long way in helping single parents survive Christmas:

Involving the kids in the planning

Start by asking your children how they would like to celebrate the holiday season, like how they would like to spend Christmas day and the type of food they would like to eat. You need to make kids part of the process, starting with decorations and the Christmas tree. Sit down and come up with a plan on how you are going to spend time during the holidays, from who to invite to which movies to watch. One benefit that single parents have is becoming closer to their kids as they grow up and get treated as equals. When you involve them in making such decisions, they will have a sense of freedom and responsibility. This will make Christmas feel even more special because everyone will have at least one thing they like from the activities list. This becomes something positive because the kids are going to do things differently compared to the previous years. It is not a good idea to try reenacting things from previous years. Your kids know things are never going to be the same.

Planning ahead and inviting friends and family

You need to be organized in whatever you do. You need to have a plan in place to ensure you are busy, whether you are going to spend all or part of the holiday with your kids. There are a lot of things you can do, and so many people in the same situation as you out there.

If you have siblings or parents, make an effort of spending time with them, or if you prefer hosting, then invite people over. If you don’t have a family member close to you, consider inviting your friend. Many people have friends who are even closer to them than their family. You can spend the festive season with your friends. If you choose to do this, get started early so you don’t have to rush things last-minute. Starting early means you get the chance of talking to them before they make other plans. Most people don’t like being alone on Christmas. Maybe you have friends who are single parents who will be happy to join you. If you are a newly single parent, try meeting other single parents for support and friendship.

Taking the kids on holiday

A holiday or mini-break is a great idea if you have the budget. Your mind will focus on other things and you don’t have to think about something missing in your life. Taking a break from your routine is going to do a lot of good for you and your family. A holiday is great because you don’t have to deal with cooking, shopping, cleaning, and dealing with visitors. One of the best decisions you are going to make is traveling and going somewhere new during the holidays. The trip is going to strengthen the bond between you and your children because you get the chance of finding a new dynamic as a single-parent family.

If you want to make sure you have playmates for your kids and some adult company, consider booking a single parent trip during the holidays. You can choose to do something like skiing, which is going to be an amazing experience for both you and your kids. This might be the start of a new hobby you can enjoy together for many years to come. You will also meet other single parents with who you can build a support network. The kids are going to find friends in the group while seeing there are many other families like theirs. This is very effective in building the confidence of the kid after the loss of a parent or divorce.

Checking out local events

There is a lot on offer during the holidays whether you are with the kids or by yourself. Book tickets for your local pantomime, ice-staking rink, choir, or Christmas market. There are also available Nashville TN Christmas events that you can check out for you and your family. You can also help the local soup kitchen. Another good option is taking a city cruise, provided you live within a travel distance. You will have a lot of fun with a city tour as you stop for breakfast and lunch and enjoy your meals. There are many activities you can take part in during the festive season. Google things you can do during the Christmas season and choose one near you.

Avoid overspending

After separation, most single mums and dads feel the pinch. You should not feel any pressure to buy. It is not a good idea to use your credit card to buy stuff with no means of paying it off. Your kids are going to be happy with any gifts you give them, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Read the best gift ideas for 11 year old girls for inspiration. They know you are not in a condition to spend a lot. Start shopping early and you will be able to save a lot of money on gifts. This will help you avoid overspending.