Comments on: Evasion?

By: Sushi and H1N1

Sushi and H1N1 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:01:21 +0000

[...] a secret Santa Christmas present from yours truly… thanks to everyone who entered with your holiday survival tips. And thanks everyone for your advice about Benjamin. I sent him on his way to his Dad’s this [...]

By: Robyn Jones

Robyn Jones — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:51:19 +0000

Lower the expectations and enjoy the small moments!

Trying to achieve the perfect Martha decor and attempting to make twenty dozen homemade Christmas cookies only made me loathe the holidays. Trying to recreate my mother-in-law’s Christmas dinner usually turned into a blackened crisp of a disaster. Attempting to make every storytime, yulelog hunt, cookie exchange and party made me the most grumpy and overscheduled woman on Earth.

Now that I am a happily single mom, I am dialing everything down and we are enjoying it much more. We are only saying yes to the events we really really want to do. The kiddos are decorating the tree, Martha Stewart isn’t coming over to inspect and we will all be happier for less decor. Christmas breakfast may be thaw and cook cinnamon rolls and fruit which Supertween and Timesboy will enjoy much more than when mommy got up three hours early to make a feast. We are enjoying the moments- putting a dollar in every red bucket, stopping for peppermint hot chocolates, reading “The Best Christmas Pageant” and more.

Enjoy the everyday little things- by peeking at your blog, it looks like you have it figured out already!

XOXOXO

By: TeacherMommy

TeacherMommy — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:57:51 +0000

Thanksgiving turned out positively excellent–half the day with my boys, and then the evening (and the rest of the weekend) with my boyfriend! I even passed the milestone of going to his mom’s place for the holiday dinner!

Christmas, while still looming with uncertainty, particularly in regard to custody arrangements, isn’t freaking me out like it was before. I’m rather enjoying the simplicity this year, stripping away all the excess and just concentrating on simple things and being with the people I love. My ex and I will figure it out. I’m thinking maybe we’ll do an alternating thing each year–kids with one of us on Christmas Eve and the other on Christmas. That may minimize the craziness being packed into one day. What happens, happens.

I haven’t turned on the Christmas music yet, but maybe even that will happen one of these days…

By: Jenna B.

Jenna B. — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:56:22 +0000

I was just starting to get in the holiday spirit when my debit account was hacked and my identity was stolen this week. I am just starting out, so every penny counts, and I was in hysterics the day I realized what had happened. Luckily we caught it in time, but my account and debit card are both frozen while I await a new card (two weeks…right up to Christmas). I’m sure there’s a silver lining in here somewhere…

By: Kay

Kay — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:46:44 +0000

Best advice I’ve heard is put your big girl panties on. It’s not the time for bitterness and anger. Think about the children in everything you do. It’s not about the date on the calendar but the memories you make whatever day they may fall on. Holiday traditions can be making cookies or holiday lights in a carriage. My mom tells me my parents split up on Christmas but I have no memory because she always kept our traditions and kept her big girl panties on. As for presents, I keep the number to three no matter what. It puts the emphasis where it should be… on the family and who put us here, boo-boos and all.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:47:09 +0000

With my daughter turning 10 in a week, I’ve mostly gotten used to sharing holidays. I do everything I can to make the best of the time we do have, and my family tries to make sure they get to see her, even if for a short time. This year will be harder for me I think because it will be her new baby brothers first Christmas. I was laid off while I was pregnant, my ex got his child support lowered to $80 a month (nice) and there are hospital bills to pay, but a small Christmas wouldn’t be so bad if my kids were at least waking up together Christmas morning.

By: junctionmama

junctionmama — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:10:10 +0000

It’s easy to get depressed around the holidays. This is my second Christmas as a single mom. The first time around, I was in shock and denial. But this year, I’m feeling the blues and I am determined to make the best of it for me and my girl.

Best wishes to you and all your readers.

By: Lindsay Manfredi

Lindsay Manfredi — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:07:38 +0000

Auh…the holidays.
I must say, you absolutely have to be prepared. Last Christmas totally sucked because of my spoiled step-daughter and her father. This year, I am going through a divorce. MY daughter (bio) however, will be with me. She is nearly six and is getting a drumset. So, I am determined…it will be all music, laughter, and NO stress. If we go to my parents, this may require a certain amount of spirits to get through the whole family “we really wish you would work out your marriage” schpeel. But I say, let the family cook. Spend emormous amounts of time with friends who love you. Drink amazing wine. Count your blessings. And if you are one who loves to be alone…do it! Take a mini-va. It could perhaps be the most relaxing time of the year.
Cheers, and happy holidays!

By: busymomma66

busymomma66 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:06:29 +0000

I’m feeling very conflicted this year. I feel in the mood, I actually have money this year to buy some decent presents. But both my jobs are extremely busy this time of year so I’m wiped out! Plus we’ve been invited to a lot of events I feel I can’t really say no to–people who’ve been extremely supportive over the past year or two. I’m starting to have anxiety attacks, so if I get my act together and get super organized maybe I have a fighting chance to actually enjoy it all!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:56:13 +0000

My advice…remember the reason for the season.