All the threads angry at partners not pulling their weight
The in law issues
The arguments about what should / should not be done on Xmas day
Which family to go to
Sounds bloody awful.
Thankfully I’m on very good terms with my ex, so I recognise that makes a huge difference (his present from the children and I is brunch at his favourite restaurant on the 28th, and I’m genuinely looking forward to having a chat with him!). We divorced simply because incompatible, no third party and still isn’t on either side 3.5 years late.
But as a single parent (and my parents died in my twenties) I get time to myself (my ex has the children 21 afternoon to 24th morning) to shop, gym, yoga, coffee with friends and then I’m with the children 24th-28th. My beloved brother who the children adore will be with us on Christmas Day. Eat, walk, games, film.
Boxing Day walk and play with Christmas gifts
27th Snow Queen at the theatre
28th brunch
29th-31st - I’m seeing friends, I’m pottering about, spring cleaning before new year (I’m odd, but I LOVE cleaning sorting!), I’ll gym and yoga.
There’s zero stress or tension or arguments. I know that the ideal is parents together and I don’t dispute that - but it does seem that in so many cases,‘parents together means either arguments or stoney silence
Sometimes, sometimes, I genuinely relish being queen of my domain!
Any other single parents feeling the same?
As I say - it’s not perfect. But the common I mage of single parents wanting something different - not always the case.