When you’re a single parent and it comes time for holidays like Valentine’s Day, it may seem a bit fruitless to try to celebrate, but it’s actually a really important thing.
There’s a common misconception when it comes to Valentine’s Day, because it doesn’t have to be all about romantic love and getting all swoony with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner.
When you’re a single parent, Valentine’s Day can be about making the time to show yourself some real love or spending quality time with the ones in your life who truly make you happy. It can become your day to entirely decide what to do with, and the only rule is that you have to lead with having fun and showing love!
Let’s take a look at some fun ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day as a single parent and actually enjoy yourself.
1. Get Your Girlfriends Together for a 'Galentine’s' Day Celebration
We’ve all seen Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation declare that Galentine’s Day is probably the best day of the year, so why not take her enthusiasm and a couple of your girlfriends and run with the idea?
Even if you and your girlfriends happen to have your kids on Valentine’s Day, it is all good because you can totally include them in the festivities. You can set things up for a sleepover or even hire a babysitter to attend to the kids while the parents do their thing.
Now, your Galentine’s Day celebration can look however you’d like, but it could be fun to pop a bottle of champagne or set up a make-your-own sundae bar with all the fixings. You can get extra silly and play a game of charades or Pictionary. Or if everyone just feels like chilling and chatting with something on in the background, throw on You’ve Got Mail or even the fun horror comedy flick Ready or Not for some added spice.
2. Book Yourself a Super-Luxurious Spa Day
Another way to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a single parent is to book the grandparents for a day of babysitting and book yourself several spa treatments at the most luxurious spa in your area.
Thinking about how your Valentine’s Day can be the ultimate day of pampering and self-love, don't just schedule a pedicure and facial. This is the day that you go for the full-body exfoliation followed by the most intense and healing massage that you’ve ever experienced.
Go all in and treat yourself to the fanciest meal at the spa restaurant, because your stomach is so deserving of extra-yummy food on Valentine’s Day as well.
3. Go on a Last-Minute Date With Someone New and Fun
OK, hear us out here. As a single parent, maybe you’ve been dipping your toes in the dating pool, or perhaps you’ve been on the sidelines for a few years while you put your family life back in order. Whatever may or may not be happening in your love life, it can be a really fun thing to get all dressed up and just go out on a date with someone again.
You don’t even need to get on a dating app if you don’t feel like it, because friends and coworkers will usually have someone in their back pocket that they can set you up with. Or maybe you just have a cute single platonic friend who would make a really great date.
Whoever you choose to go out with for a little Valentine’s Day date, just be sure that the conversation stays light, fun, and a little bit flirty and everyone’s aware that you’re just flexing those dating muscles and having a good time.
4. Take Your Kid to Dinner and a Movie
Speaking of dating, when was the last time you grabbed your kid and just put away the homework and chores and enjoyed a little night on the town together?
If it’s been a while, why not use Valentine’s Day as a special day to plan for you and your kid? You can really get into the planning of things, too, and have them choose from two to three local restaurants that are extra fancy and pick out what you’re going to order beforehand. You can both get all dressed up, too, and then run home and change into some sweats, grab some cozy blankets and pillows, and head to the movies afterward.
The whole point is to help one another feel loved and special on Valentine’s Day and really indulge in the perks of having a whole day that’s dedicated to showing your kid some extra love.
