Sitting at her window, Jill is looking at the snowflakes falling slowly in her backyard. With sadness, she is reminiscing on all the fun in the sun her family used to have during the March school break. Unfortunately, the end of her marriage also brought with it the end of the “family’s” fun in the sun vacation. This year, Jack is leaving alone with the children on a boat cruise in the Caribbean while Jill stays home shovelling her laneway!
Most parents are exhausted as they try to keep up with their work, the children’s activities, their homework and the daily family routines. One would think that a single parent would rejoice at having some time alone without the children. Strangely enough, most parents, especially in the first few years after their separation, feel such a void when the children are visiting with the other parent that they spend their time alone mopping around the house and being – mostly – miserable. What is important to remember is that you are not alone and you should see this as the perfect opportunity to do something you enjoy and that will lift your mood and feed your spirit. It is your time to be good to yourself. You have gone through a lot and you deserve some R and R. Planning ahead the fun things that you will do during your time alone is as important as making sure that the children have all they need when they are away from home.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this free time and regain your energy.
1. Cut loose, let your hair down and put your feet up with a tea (or a beer)… every day! Simply enjoy the peace and quiet in your home. It may feel strange at first but after a couple of days you may actually enjoy hearing the humming of your fridge.
2. Call your friends or your family and have a good laugh. Talk about your most embarrassing moments. Talking about your ex will only add clouds to your sunny time of relaxation.
3. Buy yourself something you’ve been wanting, such as a book, a new tool, or flowers. Just choose something that is important to you, even if your budget won’t allow for something extravagant.
4. Treat yourself to a nap, if that’s something you’ve missed and makes you feel better.
5. Complete a scrapbooking or a renovation project that you never had time to finish and that you can share with your children upon their return.
6. Don’t plan too much and stick to the plan! Remember, this week is just for you.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t have to break the bank to become a happier and more fulfilled single parent. In fact, most people feel much better about their lives when they take the time to sit down and create their own fun in the sun.
Most parents are exhausted as they try to keep up with their work, the children’s activities, their homework and the daily family routines. One would think that a single parent would rejoice at having some time alone without the children. Strangely enough, most parents, especially in the first few years after their separation, feel such a void when the children are visiting with the other parent that they spend their time alone mopping around the house and being – mostly – miserable. What is important to remember is that you are not alone and you should see this as the perfect opportunity to do something you enjoy and that will lift your mood and feed your spirit. It is your time to be good to yourself. You have gone through a lot and you deserve some R and R. Planning ahead the fun things that you will do during your time alone is as important as making sure that the children have all they need when they are away from home.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this free time and regain your energy.
1. Cut loose, let your hair down and put your feet up with a tea (or a beer)… every day! Simply enjoy the peace and quiet in your home. It may feel strange at first but after a couple of days you may actually enjoy hearing the humming of your fridge.
2. Call your friends or your family and have a good laugh. Talk about your most embarrassing moments. Talking about your ex will only add clouds to your sunny time of relaxation.
3. Buy yourself something you’ve been wanting, such as a book, a new tool, or flowers. Just choose something that is important to you, even if your budget won’t allow for something extravagant.
4. Treat yourself to a nap, if that’s something you’ve missed and makes you feel better.
5. Complete a scrapbooking or a renovation project that you never had time to finish and that you can share with your children upon their return.
6. Don’t plan too much and stick to the plan! Remember, this week is just for you.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t have to break the bank to become a happier and more fulfilled single parent. In fact, most people feel much better about their lives when they take the time to sit down and create their own fun in the sun.
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