as you know, im a single mom. i was just wondering what other people with small children have done to keep bringing in the new year a fun event. i don't have a husband, or a boyfriend and everyone i know has plans. i just didn't think it was a good idea to be out with her on such a bad night for drunks/wrecks--even to take her to a sitter. Also, I kind of want to spend the new year with her. she's the closest and most special person to me, and we've been through so much together. it just feels appropriate to spend it at home with her. but.......i don't really just want to sit around like any other night.im having a lot of trouble thinking of something, so i figure i would see if anyone else had any fun ideas. anything to make it even just a little more special than any old normal night would be great! thanks.
Rent a movie for early in the evening. I usually enjoy watching the New Year's festivities on TV and welcoming the new year with a glass of champagne. That is what I"m doing with my 7yo granddaughter this year.
I've always been a single mom, I will admit the first few new years were hard...I wanted to party with friends but I also wanted to stay home alone with my babies, so, no parties, I've spent new years on the phone with a friend. I've spent it once at that friends house, but all our kids drove us crazy lol so the phone was better. Every year I watch the ball drop. I usually kiss my boys at midnight and have woken them up to see ball drop if they requested. :) stay home. Enjoy a glass of wine.
After we had kids normal ny eve celebrations came to a screeching hault. You are totally right that being on the road tonight is just not a smart thing. Pull out your baby books for your kids and enjoy this evening with them and write in some of the milestones that took place this year. New years eve is a good time to add pictures to the babybooks and update them. I did it for the first 5 years and then stopped..... I guess by that time my kids liked to stay up late and watch the ball drop with us on the tv or go outside and see some of the fireworks from someone in the neighborhood.
There's nothing wrong with staying home that's for sure. Go to the store and buy ingredients to make a special new years eve dessert, like a colorful banana split... The new year festivities come on fairly early as midnite come earlier in other countries ... just watch all of the celebrations on tv, eat popcorn and icecream and have fun and be thankful for what you have this year :)
Depending on her age it could be a lot of fun. my kids are 11, 10, 8 and 1 month, and we are home right now, playing Wii and board games while the littlest sleeps, I make shirley temples for the kids and lots of goodies, and we turn up the radio and pig out. dinner was pizza and wings on a blanket in the living room, and we will skip, showers and jammies and the kids will sleep where they fall at the end of the night. Several years ago when trying to explain the typical traditions of making a toast and getting a kiss, my oldest who was about 5 misunderstood and when midnight rolled around he looked at me and asked why I hadn't made him toast and where his hersey kiss was, so that's become a silly family tradition. last year was the first time in 11 years i have went out for new years, and really while it was fun, i'd rather be home with my kiddos.
Are you a teensy bit creative? You could take some paper and nicely decorate and write out some kind of commitment/resolution to your daughter for the upcoming year. If you turn it into a tradition you could put it into an album and create a collection of them from year to year. Depending on the age of your daughter, she could do it too. Or you could get some canvas (cheap at a craft store) and some acrylic paints and do a "handprint" remembrance.
Also, depending on the age of your daughter, you could do "backwards dinner" where you have dessert first. You could make "cocktails" and have a dance party with her. Have a "slumber party" and let her sleep in your bed (I don't know how well that one would work out!).
Have a happy and healthy new year!
Find friends with kids... we are taking our 3 kiddos to a kid friendly new years eve party (ages 1 year, 5 years, and 7 years)... the kids will all go to bed around their normal bedtimes (along with everyone elses kids), then the parents party!! We'll all crash at their house. We do this for just about every holiday, since we can't exactly take the kids to a bar, LOL, and finding a sitter on new years is just about impossible. Have fun!
It depends on the age of the kids. We usually stay in and put the kids to bed at the regular time (mine are 2 and almost 5). Sometimes we invite a friend or 2 and have a nice dinner. Last year we had an out of town friend stay overnight.
Sorry, I have gone to bed by myself before midnight for a couple years now (this will be year 3) and have no great suggestions. I was just trying to think of something fun to do with the kids (ages 3 & 2). I hope you get some fun suggestions, but know you are not alone! Happy New Year!
I have a single friend with 2 adorable foster kids, that has a singles gathering at her home.. she invites her single friends and neighbors, with their kids.
Pretty low key, snacks and movies for the kids and the adults sit around and visit.. The kids bring sleeping bags so if they get tired they can pass out.. It is mostly single moms.. but a few dads have come by with their kids some years..
She says it is fun to just hang out.
