Single Parent Holidays
Hello again and welcome back to the Center Street Psychology blog! I hope you are all staying warm as we jump right into winter. The weather might also be a reminder that the holidays are coming up soon. For some people, holidays are exciting, comforting, and safe times, but they can also potentially be a challenging time. This week we are going to discuss being a single parent during the holidays, as there can be some challenges unique to this experience. Make sure to check out some of our previous topics, our last blog on the winter blues might come in handy right now!
The holidays tend to be a busy time with children, even if you don’t celebrate holidays such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve. They are on break from school for two weeks, there might be family gatherings to attend with a lot of stimulation, and kids can just get darn excited about all the fun things happening! When you are doing holidays alone as a parent, things can be just that much harder. Maybe you are splitting time with the other parent, there might be some awkwardness with the in-laws, or maybe the kids are asking tough questions and feeling down about things.
These are the times to focus on the reasons for the season that may often get forgotten amidst all the commercialism. Showing care and love is one of the most powerful lessons we can teach to our kids and might help get them through some of the tougher moments of the holidays. Despite some of the negativity that might be in the air, being able to have compassion for others is a great way to help soothe pain and find something to appreciate. This can also be a helpful practice for us: being reminded of what we have can be a good way to offset the frustration of what we don’t have.
You may also want to start meaningful traditions with your kids to retain some of the excitement that comes along with the holidays. This could be making a special dish, doing a fun activity or anything else that brings joy! Splitting up a family can sometimes mean that some traditions are lost, but nobody said that you must have a big family to have a meaningful holiday season. Even if it just means watching Elf for the 57th time, embrace these moments you have.
Also, it can be normal to experience feelings of grief, sadness, or loneliness during the holidays, particularly if you’re splitting parenting time and might have to miss a Christmas morning or celebrating the New Year at midnight. Self-compassion and welcoming all emotions can be beneficial in supporting yourself.
Whatever your situation, we hope that you can make the best out of the holidays this year. Here are a few resources if you are struggling in particular:
One Parent – Help Single Parents!
Please reach out to us at Center Street Psychology if you would like to discuss more about our services. Call 403-399-5120 to speak with our Director of Client Care, Amy, who will gently guide you through the counselling process. We are able to provide support for a variety of concerns, including parenting or coping during the holidays.
