Christmas As A Single Parent

I feel sorry for my daughter for not having a father that will be there for her during special holidays like Christmas. I feel I deprived her of the feeling of having someone spoil her or at least her own Santa Claus. I know its a stoopid feeling because I’m doing whatever I can to make her happy but I still wish she can experience a family that’s complete.

Maybe I’m having the post-Christmas depression or something. But I’m glad its all over and I will have a whole 11 months again to prepare.

Did you know that I’m not the only one feeling this depression during the Holidays? A recent survey in the U.K revealed that 71% of single parents believe Christmas Eve is the hardest day to get through during the festive period.

Single parents that were surveyed on that study cited that trying to keep everyone happy was the main reason why Christmas Eve was the hardest day, closely followed by having little or no support.

Why not, single parents are pressured to get everything done on their own. Not only will they have to manage all the chores and arrangements on their own, they will have to deal with extra anxieties, sadness and demands.

Relationship expert and Relate-trained counsellor, Suzie Hayman comments: “A partner is not just an extra pair of hands and eyes, they are someone to share the emotional load. Single parents have to manage it all and often feel overwhelmed. Not only is all the work a strain – the worst part is thinking you should be able to cope and it�s all your fault if you can�t. Christmas is a time for anyone who has suffered a change in their family to feel the strain.”