If you need a reality check on the holidays

Whether you’re still putting away the last of the Thanksgiving decorations, celebrating your fabulous Black Friday bargains, or just trying to keep yourself  and the kids on schedule… it’s that time of year.

Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa — no matter how you celebrate, the holidays are upon us!

We’ve both celebrated some wonderful — and some particularly lonely — holidays. We’ve both worked hard to keep the holidays in perspective.

We know what it’s like to plan for ourselves — as well as our kids, family, and friends. No doubt, your mailboxes are also stuffed with holiday magazines, catalogs, and department store promotions.

As much as the media aims to convince us that our holiday celebrations should look perfect, we know better. We say (loudly): “Reality check!”

Media holiday images are all fantasy, aren’t they?

Real life is not about building pyramids of exotic fruit or desserts that look like houses. Sure, we can try to do it ALL by spending more money, devoting more time, and getting super-organized. But why? Trying to create those holiday fantasies is just setting ourselves up for failure.

Why take on endless added chores which make you feel cranky and worn out? How about putting some fun in your own life?

Don’t worry, we’re not going to outline a craft project to glue stuff on pine cones. That doesn’t quite feed your soul. Instead, how about making some plans to add grown-up fun to your holidays?

We understand that budgets are stretched. It can be challenging to find childcare right now. But here’s something we’ve tried:

Every year, both of us have coordinated with friends — married or single, it doesn’t matter — to plan simple get togethers with kids. We’ve had cookie making parties, movie nights, you name it.

Each parent in the group hosts a “kid activity” on a schedule so the other parents can plan. When it’s your night off during these “kid trades,” it means that you get a free evening for some adults-only fun.

So, what are your “fun plans” for the upcoming holiday season?

Whenever you share ideas, you inspire other single parents!

(Photos courtesy of ricko and pin prick via flickr)

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