As the year draws to a close, it can seem like we have a thousand tasks to complete in such a short amount of time. Soon, Thanksgiving will come and it may feel like you didn’t have any time to enjoy the season or prepare for the day itself. This time of year can be especially hard for single parents for many different reasons. Finding the Thanksgiving spirit and embracing gratitude can be a rewarding journey, even amidst moments of anxiety and stress that occasionally challenge us. Whether you’re spending the holiday with your kids or by yourself, or if it’s your first time as a single parent or your 10th, we’ve got some helpful tips and reminders to help make this day a little easier.
Important Reminders:
First and foremost, let go of the expectations you’ve set for yourself. Go easy on yourself! Remember that at the end of the day it’s just another day on the calendar. You can celebrate the day of or weekend before, and in any way you want. Take some time away from social media to stop comparing another person’s experience to your own. While this holiday may be about giving thanks and helping others, you need to remember to take care of yourself… and thank yourself!
Don’t be afraid to make new traditions. While old traditions can be sweet and nostalgic, it can be fun to make new ones! Think of it as opening a new chapter in your life to try new things and make new memories with your kids.
Lastly, do not be afraid to delegate. Remember, while you are a super mom, you’re not a comic book superhero! Do not hesitate to ask others for help. Even heroes have sidekicks!
Thanksgiving Day Ideas:
A fun alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving is a ‘friendsgiving’ potluck. Get together with other single parents or any of your friends and each bring a dish. You can organize who brings what ahead of time or make it a surprise. This is a lovely way to be around your support system during this time while also not stressing over preparing every dish. It also is a great idea to stay within budget!
If your kids are old enough, have them make some side dishes. Think of this as a teachable moment. From peeling potatoes to stirring the gravy or even making the cranberry sauce, this is a great experience for your kids to learn how to cook and can create some quality bonding time in the kitchen.
To save some stress, look into ready-made meals that just need heating up, or prepare some dishes the night before to save time during the day. Another route is using disposable plates, napkins, and utensils. This can help you spend more time with your loved ones by decreasing prep and cooking time as well as the clean up after.
Look into your local organizations for some assistance. Many food banks, food pantries and faith-based groups offer free Thanksgiving meals. There is no shame in asking for help, that’s what these organizations are for!
Feeding America offers help looking for different organizations in your area using your zip code.
Activities To Get Into The Thanksgiving Spirit:
1. Keep a gratitude journal
Research shows that practicing gratitude has immense benefits on a person’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing including better sleep, and feeling more optimistic and less lonely or isolated (Emmons, 2010). Through gratitude, we understand and acknowledge that there is good in life. As a single parent, it may feel hard to find things to be grateful for when feelings like anxiety, depression, and stress overwhelm us. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to be thankful for. In fact, these are the most important times to practice gratitude.
Write down three things that you are thankful for daily or weekly. You can do this right when you wake up or before bed. This practice helps you take a moment to recognize and reflect on the people, places, and things in your life for which you are grateful.
2. Make time for a peaceful fall walk (if weather permits) with your favorite seasonal beverage. Get your pumpkin spice latte, apple cider, or whatever your favorite fall drink is and get your steps in while enjoying some fresh air. This is a great way to relax your mind and center yourself.
3. Snuggle up, get cozy, and turn on your TV to watch your favorite show’s Thanksgiving episode. Here are some examples:
Friends (available on Max and Amazon Prime) has 10 Thanksgiving episodes across its 10 seasons.
New Girl (available on Hulu) has five Thanksgiving episodes.
Brooklyn 99 (available on Peacock) has five Thanksgiving episodes. Modern Family (available on Peacock) has seven Thanksgiving episodes. Gilmore Girls (available on Netflix) has two Thanksgiving episodes.
5. Do a donation run.
Check out the nearest Goodwill or another thrift store near you. Kill two birds with one stone by making time to go through and de-clutter while also giving to others. Make sure to look into donation hours ahead of time as sometimes they differ from store hours.
Conclusion
All in all, the thanksgiving season can feel stressful and overwhelming, especially for single parents. No matter what your situation may look like this year, remember that you still deserve to have a wonderful day. Let go of those impossible expectations, go easy on yourself, and enjoy the holiday!
References
Emmons, Robert. “Why Gratitude Is Good.” Greater Good Magazine, 16 November 2010.
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