How Single Parents Can Cope with a Long Winter Holiday Break

Many parents have mixed feelings about the long winter break from school. While it can be a great time to take vacations and do fun things as a family, it can also be a challenge to keep kids entertained or find appropriate child care if you happen to be one of the many working parents. For single parents, that long winter holiday break can be especially challenging - the family time calls, but there are usually work and other obligations as well. Here are some tips to help single parents cope with that long winter holiday break when the kids are off from school:

The earlier you start planning for the time off, the better. Instead of waiting until the last minute, put some thought into what the kids will be doing if you have to work. Consider resources available in your town or community such as holiday camps, programs offered by the school, the YMCA and Boys and Girls club often offer holiday break activities. Churches can also be a good source of winter break activities. Don't overlook relatives and friends as possibilities-perhaps a trip to visit grandma and grandpa could be arranged-the kids could go a week early and you could join the family for the actual holidays. By starting early, it is easier to consider all the options and possibilities without the stress of trying to find something NOW.

Consider scheduling activities and special projects during the long winter holiday break-this can be a good time for dental appointments (if the dentist is in office), hair cuts, check-ups and other necessary things that you may have been putting off. Not only will it take care of these tasks and requirements, but it can help to provide structure to the time.

Volunteer work can be a good activity for older kids and teenagers. Check with your local food bank or other organizations to see if there is volunteer work that the kids can help out with. Even if they only help a few days during the break, this can be a wonderful experience and keep them from getting bored or into trouble.

For single parents, it is important to put some care and planning into how to occupy children during the long, winter break. While they will balk at chores and sitting around doing nothing, if you have an interesting and varied schedule arranged, it may make the time fly by faster and they will return to school feeling like they "did something" while on break!