Stay positive. Put a smile on your face and make things as nice as you can at home. Another holiday as a single parent is here. In this case, it’s Easter, but insert any holiday. They all have the potential to stink. In fact, since divorce, I’ve dreaded just about every holiday. They’re just not the same as they used to be. So, let’s embrace these different creatures and do them up right, single parents! I know well that it can be downright difficult pulling off a holiday with limited time and money. Let’s face it, it’s just not as fun when you’re a solo Santa or E-Bunny. I’ve heard this from many single parent friends. It’s not in vogue to admit out loud that you dread holidays, either.

Baddie is waiting for a chick to hatch.

But, if you’re fortunate enough to have your kids, then it’s time to step up your game. First, prepare when you don’t have them. Your ex has them for dinner every Thursday? Hit the stores. You don’t have to spend a ton of money, but if you start early, you’ll catch every sale. Walgreens runs sales on different holiday items weeks before the day.

Have had this for years. Just retouched it with craft paint…

I’m a big advocate of wrapping up anything you’d naturally give your kids, starting a few months before the holiday hits. My boys could use some new shorts for the summer. Guess what the Easter Bunny brought?

Basket grass? Unnecessary! Fluff up a colorful dish towel.

An aside: You might be thinking, “JC, now you have teenage boys. Enough already.” Yes, I do. And I have no delusions that they don’t know all there is to know about every topic under the sun, since they’ve told me so. But for some reason, Santa insists on delivering their gifts, and rumor has it that the Easter Bunny sneaked into this townhouse last night. You’d be amazed at how nicely teenagers play along when a sweet prize is in sight.

My Single Mom neighbor is good to go, decoratively speaking, for months…

Even if it’s your “off year”, decorate anyway. It’ll help put you in the holiday spirit. Your kids will enjoy the festiveness beforehand and, if you’re like me with only two hands and somewhat limited time, for quite awhile after! (In all fairness, the Christmas tree stayed up extra long because the attic stairs were broken…a renter’s dilemma.) Throw a wreath on your door. Seasonal garden flags are inexpensive and a favorite of mine. Remember, there are other people out there who will benefit from an uplifting sight- friends and neighbors of all ages.

You can do it, Single Moms and Dads!!

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring….

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