Holiday celebrations can be more stressful when you are a single parent. You want everything to be perfect, but you have to share your kids with their other parent. It’s hard to give up your idea of a perfect Christmas but the important thing is that the kids are happy and don’t feel stressed about going back and forth between houses.
It’s important to relax. You don’t have to have your big celebration on a specific day, do whatever will work for you and the kids. This isn’t about one parent winning or losing, it’s about making sure the kids have a good time. My best friend is having her big celebration on Christmas Eve since the kids will be at Dad after noon on Christmas day. She will make the big dinner and have all the family over while she has the kids.
Make sure you have discussed with your ex the holiday schedule. Once you have it down let the kids know where they will be and at what time. This is not the time for surprises. Your kids want to be with both of their parents and each side of their extended families. Make it easy for them to do this.
One of the best parts of the holidays is getting to see all the family you don’t see every day. That includes your side and his. No matter how you feel about your ex husband his family loves your children too. Let your kids enjoy that love and the time they get to spend with their other family. It isn’t a competition, there is more than enough love to go around.
The less stressful you make this for the kids the less stressful it will be for you. If you don’t have the kids Christmas morning, come up with a fun way for them to come into the house and see the presents. Light the tree, turn on the Christmas music, make some cookies and be ready for their smiling faces.
Your kids won’t remember what they got for Christmas a few years from now but they will remember how they felt so do everything you can to make it a warm, joyful holiday.