Every family looks different, but this can be tricky on holidays like Father’s Day, which has traditionally been reserved for celebrating dads. But single moms deserve praise on this day, too. Whether she’s navigating co-parenting or fulfilling the role of both mom and dad, being a single mom is a tough job. Consider celebrating the single mom in your life on Father’s Day with these creative ideas.
10 Take Her Out For Food
A classic way to celebrate Father’s Day is to go out for a meal or order in as a family. This is still a great activity if you’re celebrating a single mom. It requires little clean-up and can work for kids of all ages. Plus, eating out is flexible enough to schedule it around other plans, like if the kids will spend time at their dad’s.
Consider trying out a new recipe together if you want to avoid a restaurant and / or are looking for a more budget-friendly activity.
9 Create A New Tradition
Holidays are all about traditions, so even if your Father’s Day celebration looks different from other families, don’t be afraid to incorporate your own traditions. For example, Maed suggests transforming Father’s Day into a Family Day when you do an activity you all love, like going to the movies or spending time outdoors.
8 Have A Virtual Celebration
Even if you’re a single mom, it doesn’t mean your kids will be with you on Father’s Day. They may be spending time with their dad, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate with them.
Consider doing a virtual celebration – video chat with them at a convenient time, Woman’s Daysuggests. You can even play a virtual game, depending on your child’s age and skill level. You can have an in-person celebration later on.
7 Buy Her A Gift Card
If you want to surprise a single mom with something to do on Father’s Day, give her a gift card. It’s an easy way to get her to relax at the spa or movies, or even indulge in a little retail therapy. This is a great idea for single moms who won’t be spending Father’s Day with their kids, but deserve to treat themselves.
6 Create A DIY Surprise
You do not need to buy a single mom something to show her appreciation on Father’s Day. A DIY surprise can go a long way, too. Depending on their skill level, her kids may be able to create a card or craft to celebrate their love for her. Younger kids will likely need adult supervision and help.
Then, surprise her with the DIY creation on Father’s Day or the day before, depending on if the kids will be spending the holiday with her.
5 Give Her The Day Off
It’s true that single moms never get a break! They juggle the responsibilities of both parents and must keep the household running with only one set of hands.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a single mom on Father’s Day is to give her the day off. Arrange for childcare or offer to babysit, so you can give her the day off to do some form of self-care, like a trip to the shopping mall or the spa.
4 Clean The Whole House
Another thing any single mom will appreciate on Father’s Day is a clean house. She puts so much time and effort into keeping the household running, so it’ll be nice to have that burden off of her shoulders, even for a single day. If the kids are older, they can help tidy up the house. But you may want to consider hiring professional cleaners to do a thorough job.
3 Share How Much She Means To You
It’s the thought that counts. One of the most meaningful things you can give a single mom on Father’s Day is your words. Let her know how much she means to the family. Every day, she performs a dual role, which is even harder if she doesn’t have a co-parent to rely on. Write her a letter, poem, or just speak from the heart – she’ll appreciate it!
2 Celebrate On A Different Day
It can be tricky celebrating a single mom on Father’s Day if her kids won’t be with her. But a simple solution is to just celebrate on a different day!
Do something to honor her on a day she has the kids. It can be the day before or after Father’s Day, or even a whole week after. All that matters is that your intentions are good and that she feels appreciated.
1 Don’t Ignore Tough Feelings
Father’s Day can stir up a lot of feelings for families in which a dad is absent, not just for the kids but also for mom. As Family Life explains, it’s important to not ignore difficult questions or emotions on this day, as that can make it tougher to navigate.
Rather, create a space that’s able to honor everyone’s emotions and make it clear that it’s okay to have mixed feelings.
Sources: Maed, Family Life, Woman’s Day,