Thanksgiving is about a month away, and many people are already making big plans.
Your child custody agreement might leave you alone on October 14 this year, and you might not be feeling particularly thankful. When you’re not planning to spend time with friends or other family, loneliness can take over.
The good news? Even if you’re flying solo on Thanksgiving, you can still have a great day—and you can even choose to hold your own turkey dinner when your kids come back from your ex’s house.
Spending Time with Family from a Distance
Skype, FaceTime and other video chat services can bring your family right into your living room without a plane ticket. See if your ex is willing to set aside an hour for you and the kids to stay connected so you can wish them a happy holiday and break the monotony of yours.
Give Your Time to Others
Few things can uplift your spirits like helping others, and there are plenty of people who could use a hand on Thanksgiving Day. A nearby food bank, soup kitchen or shelter may have an opening for an extra volunteer.
If you have the means, you can fill paper lunch bags with cold-weather essentials, such as socks, lightweight gloves and hand warmers, food-warming fuel and canned soup; take a morning drive and pass them out whenever possible.
Tackle a Home Project… Or Don’t
You have the day off work, so why not make the most of it? Start, work on or finish a home project you’ve been meaning to get to. Burned out on home improvements and repairs? Sit back and enjoy not doing them, then. Pick up a book, pop in a movie or enjoy the outdoors on this crisp, fall day.
Thanksgiving, just like every other day, is only 24 hours. While it’s tough to be alone, it will end; your kids will be back and you can start looking forward to the next holiday that you’ll spend with them.
If you feel that you’re not getting enough time with your kids, let your North York divorce lawyer know. He or she might be able to amend your custody agreement so you have your fair share of time with your children.