Green Treehouse

A few days ago, I posted about single parenting and the holidays.  As a beautiful complement to this topic, it’s definitely worth your time to read A Holiday Wish List for Single Moms, which appears at the Silicon Valley Moms Blog and is a feature link at Parent Hacks.

While I’m not a single mom, I know that children aren’t the only ones with wish lists this time of year–single parents have them, too.  If you have a single parent friend, this might just be the perfect time to let them know you’re thinking about them.  

It’s easy to forget that finding happiness during the holiday season isn’t equally easy for everyone.  There are lots of people who spend the holidays alone, or feeling lonely.  This includes many single parents–both those spending time with their children and those apart from their children during the holidays.  

If you’re a single parent, consider checking out Jennifer Wolf’s About.com site for Single Parents–of course, after you finish checking out all of the goodies here! 

You’re bound to pick up a few tips on coping with single parent holiday blues.  Here’s a spiced-up rehash of Woolf’s single parent holiday suggestions:

1.  Single parents should acknowledge their feelings of loneliness.  Societal expectations can be tough on single parents, especially when it comes to exhibiting holiday enthusiasm.

2.  Don’t forget about the holiday traditions that are important to you.  Tweak the traditions, if you must, but do what you love this holiday.

3. Be adventurous.  Try something new this holiday as a way of “validating your own identity.”  Hey, this might mean planning special holiday crafts or activities with the kids, like making holiday greeting cards to send to family and friends–all you need is paper and an assortment of art accessories, like markers and crayons (My all-in-one top pick: the Alex Art Studio).

4.  Give to others.  Giving to others, like volunteering during the holidays or donating food or toys to the needy, can help you see beyond your own situation.

5.  Remember you.  This might mean something as simple as getting more sleep during the holidays or coming up with ways to eliminate some of the holiday shopping madness, by completing your shopping online.