Spending a Holiday Alone

Nina Chen, Ph.D.

Human Development Specialist

If your children are with the other parent for a holiday, it can be devastating for you to be alone and separated from your children for the first time.  Being single again without children around to adjust to the holidays can also be stressful. Planning ahead can help you decide what you really want to do for a holiday without your children. If you wait till the last minute to plan, you may have a hard time enjoying a meaningful holiday unless you prefer to be alone. 

Check around your community calendars to see if there are special holiday events that you might be interested in. You need to make an effort to get involved. For instance get involved in church projects or community events, get together with friends, volunteer to help others, visit a place that you have dreamed of for a long time, take a trip, and so on.

 If you still have a lot of time alone, find things that can make you feel happy, relaxed, and peaceful. For example, listen to music, do your house project or hobbies, take a walk, read a book that you enjoy, watch a movie, start a craft project and new hobby, cook a special holiday meal, do relaxation exercises, etc. Take positive approaches and enjoy the special time for yourself.