Merry Christmas from Single Dad
You may have done the whole Christmas thing before… being a dab hand at decorating the house, cooking the turkey, wrapping the presents, stuffing the stockings, putting out Rudolph’s carrot and buying presents that are wanted and that won’t have you in debt until next October. If you have, to perfection, you are the only person that probably has… man or woman!
It’s a tricky time for all of us and let’s face it, growing up in our society many of the roles around Christmas are considered women’s roles. It’s not often you see men in Claire’s Accessories buying 3 for 2 pink plastic earrings or elbowing people out of the way for the last gold wrapped chocolate reindeer. So, like most of us, you’ll probably learn as you go along.
Expectations
Firstly you must know that all other families aren’t looking like the ideal 1950’s Christmas round open fire images as imagined. Most are wrapping presents late, realising they have forgotten something (or someone), wondering whether to cross sprouts, scrabbling round last minute trying to get gas on the meter late on Christmas Eve so the cooker doesn’t cut out halfway through cooking the turkey, wondering why sticky tape isn’t actually all that sticky and feeling guilty about what we haven’t bought or if we’ve overspent.
Staying positive
Church might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s lovely to get dressed up and sing carols… and it’s free. If you go for a walk on Christmas Day it’s nice when complete strangers say ‘Merry Christmas’ and if you are feeling particularly charitable there are often soup kitchens and charities looking for help with their activities around this time of year if you feel you need to be around people.
But let’s get back to basics, making things such as cakes, cards, wrapping paper and jam the children will enjoy and it may save you money. No matter how you are feeling try as much to enjoy the day…Your children will remember the good times - the games, the singing, the snuggling up in bed opening presents, eating chocolate before breakfast, board games, the annual failure to set the pudding aflame; all rituals and traditions that you inspire them with and for them to carry on; From the learning how to ride a bike to the ridiculous jumper your mother bought you - Enjoy it, do your best, go with the flow, stay calm and make happy memories.