Experts Reveal That Christmas Eve is the Hardest Day for Single Parents

Christmas Eve has been nominated as the hardest day of the Christmas period for single parents following a survey from DatingforParents.com. Relationship expert Suzie Hayman has given 10 Top Tips to get through this stressful period.

(PRWEB) December 23, 2007 -- According to a recent survey, 71% of single parents believe Christmas Eve is the hardest day to get through during the festive period.

In the survey, carried out by datingforparents.com, single parents cited that trying to keep everyone happy was the main reason why Christmas Eve was the hardest day, closely followed by having little or no support.

Christmas is stressful for many parents as they struggle to get everything done, but for the UK's 1.8 million single parents, the pressure is doubled. Not only will they have to manage all the chores and arrangements on their own, they will have to deal with extra anxieties, sadness and demands.

Relationship expert and Relate-trained counsellor, Suzie Hayman comments: "A partner is not just an extra pair of hands and eyes, they're someone to share the emotional load. Single parents have to manage it all and often feel overwhelmed. Not only is all the work a strain -- the worst part is thinking you should be able to cope and it's all your fault if you can't. Christmas is a time that anyone who has suffered a change in their family may feel the strain."

To help single parents through the 24th December, Suzie Hayman has developed some helpful tips. These include:

1.   Recognise why it's so hard
2.   Talk it over with your kids
3.   Help kids keep in touch
4.   Plan ahead and share the load
5.   Understand it's not your job to keep everyone happy
6.   Let kids go
7.   Don't fight over family traditions
8.   Look after yourself
9.   Make new friends
10.   Don't introduce new partners

Suzie comments:" Christmas may be a tough time, but it can be made a lot easier. Single parents do an excellent job and work hard to do the best for their kids. Making use of these tips could make all the difference."

These helpful hints appear in full on DatingforParents.com

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