Spending Christmas Without Your Children Survival Guide
Christmas can be a strange and tricky time of year and can bring up a lot of emotions. Yes, it is joyous, fun and special however for some it brings on stress, sadness and grief. It can be a reminder of those who are no longer with us as well as the prospect of having to spend Christmas without your children, which is something that no parent ever envisages happening when they are born.
As hard as it can be (especially the first time), it doesn’t mean that all is lost. Like any change and new and difficult things, time does heal, and you do get used to the new normal (it's true).
Here is a survival guide that I have developed as a result of ‘missing out’ on having my child every second year since he was 2 years of age (now 12). Not all will be possible for everyone so have a think about making your own survival guide! Here a few tips to start you off:
1. Get plenty of support professionally and personally
2. Make plans in advance so you have things to look forward to
3. Get into some healthy habits (did you know Parkrun (or walk) operates Christmas morning at 8am all around Australia, what a great way to start the day!)
4. Go away for Christmas - take this time to travel or see a friend you haven’t seen for ages. (one year I spent Christmas day blissfully floating down the Murray River in a tinny reading a book! Now you can't do that with children!)
5. Get a massage on Christmas Eve. While everyone else is frantically running around, book a massage at the end of the day to wind things up and head into the well-deserved break
6. Here’s a good one….If you don’t have your child(ren) back until a few days after Christmas hold off on some gift buying and save some money in the boxing day sales! They won’t know Santa is such a good bargain hunter
I know that these suggestions are easier said than done, but at the end of the day it is all about perspective (again easier said than done but not impossible). Pick a couple and give it a go, you might be surprised.
If you have any other tips and strategies add them to the comments, we would love to hear what works for you!