Santa Doesn't Pay Child Support

Nope , not a dime , but I didn't have to tell you that . Just look at your checking account balance . But you know what I find worse than a lump of coal in my stocking ? That's that , this jolly guy . Well , he gets all the credit while we're out here managing budgets tighter than those elf leggings . Sound familiar ?

Well , stay tuned , because we're diving into how to make this holiday magical and miraculous without maxing out your credit cards or your sanity . Welcome back to another episode of it's a Single Mom Thing the holiday hang-up .

All right , so let's dive into what I like to call the holiday hang-up that gets some single peeps hung up like a strand of knotted Christmas lights this time of year . You know what I'm talking about that pressure to make the holidays bigger and brighter than our budget , and it happens every single year . It's like the moment the calendar flips to December .

Well , november . These days , we're suddenly expected to turn into Martha Stewart with a Beyonce-level energy and Elon Musk's bank account . Well , here's a spoiler alert . We're not , and well , we don't need to be . Here's bank account Well , here's a spoiler alert . We're not , and well , we don't need to be . Here's another truth , mama , listen .

The holidays , they weren't meant to be a competition or a stress test for your sanity , but somehow , isn't it funny ? Society has convinced us that , unless we're buying the biggest gifts or recreating hallmark movie moments or somehow falling short , and for single mama woof , that pressure hits even harder than an ice snowball to the face .

Because , let's face it , we're already doing the work of two people , and now we're supposed to do it while wrapping gifts and pretending we have it all and have it all together . I don't think so . The holiday hang up , it isn't for real . But here's the good news . We already have the good news , girl . And his name is Jesus .

We know that girl , that he's the reason for the season , not the gifts , the lights or the Pinterest perfect decor . Christmas isn't about how much you can give , and you know that , but it's about celebrating how much was already given to us a savior who came to bring hope , peace and joy .

So let's hang Santa's hat on that one and let out the pressure of our pressure cooker that we are cooking ourselves in . You see , the season isn't about the size of your tree or the number of presents under it . It's about the love you share , the laughter you create , the present moments and the light of Jesus that should be filling our homes .

You know that , girl . And the best part , that kind of joy , oh that kind of joy , doesn't come with a price tag . It comes with a promise Making memories without breaking the bank . So , with our focus on the main thing , we can flip the Christmas light , switch to your holiday spending before it spends you . So let's be real . You know the holidays well .

They can feel like a financial marathon with no finish line in sight . Between gifts , dinner , school events and everything in between , the to-do list grows faster than the Grinch's heart on Christmas Day . And when you're a single mom , ooh the weight of making it all happen .

It can be a lot , but here's the thing you don't have to go broke to make it special . Well now , your Discover card doesn't want you to discover that , but remember this . Your kids they don't . Card doesn't want you to discover that , but remember this , your kids . They don't need a pile of presents to feel loved .

Honestly , what they'll remember is the time spent together , not the money spent that you don't have . It's about the giggles and the wiggles and the love and the laughter and the traditions . Trust me , that's worth way more than anything you could wrap up with a giant bow , and it's interest free .

So how can a parent create those Pinterest worthy moments without the price tag ? Let's get a little creative here , ladies . Here are a few ideas to spark some holiday magic without burning like a yuletide log through your wallet . Number one DYI gifts and crafts . Turn on some Christmas music and grab some glitter and get crafty with your kids .

Handmade gifts , whether it's paper ornaments or pinch pottery , ooh decorations they're not only budget friendly but they are also full of heart . You know , I actually have all of the decorations my son made over the years and I hang them all on what I like to call the mini max tree .

It's a smaller scale , pre-lit Christmas tree full of all the ages and Christmas stages of my son that I put out every year , and it is my favorite tree over the big Douglas fir . Traditions over transactions this is number two .

Start simple traditions like Christmas PJs and pizza , christmas movie night , car rides and carols while driving around to look at holiday lights or baking cookies with their besties . These are the things your kids will remember long after the toys are forgotten and broken . Give the gift of experiences Now . Listen .

Instead of spending big bucks on gifts , plan a special outing or activity , something as simple as picnic at the park or a game night . Listen , ladies , memories are greater than material things . Every time , in fact , it is a time-honored tradition in my house .

Now that my boy is full-time and employed , we have agreed to spend time together over spending money on gifts . We pick either a trip or an experience we want to share together and we book it , Setting boundaries with gift-giving expectations . Okay , so now it's time to talk about those well-meaning but sometimes overstepping relatives and co-parents .

You know , the ones who want to outdo everyone else or load your kids up with gifts that don't align with your values or your budget . The ones who don't realize yeah , the Santa doesn't pay your child support . We need to wrap up those expectations early . So , one , we're going to communicate them .

It's okay to set boundaries politely , by letting others know what's helpful versus what's overwhelming , maybe suggest a gift limit or encourage experiences over excess . And here's another thing you could do you can stay in your lane . Don't let anyone guilt you into feeling like you're not doing enough .

You are a woman of worth , as a mom , and it's not measured by how many presents are under the tree . It's in the love you pour into your kids every single day . So , with that , though , you might be thinking to yourself yeah , but what if the other grandparents took what I suggested and then they threw it out the window ?

Okay , first of all , you need to slow your roll and listen to this pro tip You're going to learn to flip the script with some gratitude and redirection . Now , when someone rolls in with a gift that's way outside of what you discussed , it's easy to feel frustrated or undermined , right .

But here's the deal Instead of letting it steal your peace , flip the script , thank them graciously , because their heart was probably in the right place , and then use the moment to redirect the focus . So , when someone doesn't honor the gift giving boundaries you set and shows up with a big , expensive gift anyway .

Well , yeah , it can feel frustrating , but here's the key Respond with grace , not guilt . So you might say something like thank you so much , this was incredibly thoughtful of you . You see , I'm teaching the kids to appreciate experiences and the value of thoughtful , simple gifts , so this is a great opportunity to talk about gratitude with them .

And then this shows appreciation while subtly reinforcing your values , without creating tension . Then you can take it up a step further have the kids send the gift giver a handwritten thank you card .

Not only is this a great lesson in gratitude for your kids , but it also gives you the chance to include a gentle note of your own , something like why thank you so much for your generosity ? I'm trying to keep Christmas simple and focus on meaningful moments , so next year I'd love to stick to smaller gifts or experiences .

So I truly appreciate your understanding . God bless you . You see , this keeps the tone positive while reinforcing the boundary for the future . You want to create the heart and hope of the holidays . At the end of the day , you know it , the holidays aren't about keeping up with Santa , or anyone else for that matter .

They're about what we talked about earlier , celebrating love , joy and togetherness . Your kids will treasure the memories of the moments you shared , not the price tag on their gifts . So when you feel the pressure creeping in , take a deep breath and remind yourself .

Santa may not pay your child support , but you're the one who brings the real magic to your family and that , my friend , ooh , that is priceless . So , as we wrap up this episode , let's take a moment to reflect on what the holidays are truly about , and I like to call them the holy days .

They're not about maxing out your credit cards or creating a picture perfect scene straight out of the holiday commercial . The real heart of the season , yeah , it is found in the love we share , the joy we nurture and the hope we hold on to , not just during Christmas season , but in every season of life . And that hope it's found in Jesus .

Christmas is a reminder that we've already been given the greatest gift of all a Savior who stepped into our messy , imperfect world to bring peace , joy and an everlasting love . The decorations , the presents , the festivities yeah , they're just extras . The real reason we celebrate is the light of Christ shining brighter than any string of holiday lights ever could .

So when the pressure of the season starts to weigh heavy . Girl , remember this the joy of the Lord is your strength , and you find that in Nehemiah 8.10 . Let that joy guide you , comfort you and fill your home with peace .

The holidays , they may come with their challenges , listen , but the good news is is that Jesus brings hope , not just in this season , but in every season of your life . So how about we go ahead and make a pack and let's focus on what matters most ?

Let's slow our roll and savor the miraculous moments Reading a Christmas story with your kids , laughing over hot cocoa printed pajamas , or just taking a quiet moment to thank God for the blessings in your life . These are the moments that matter , the ones that remind us of the heart and the hope of the holidays .

So , mama , as you go into the season , hold on to that hope . Let it guide you , lift you and remind you that you're never alone . Jesus is with you through every challenge , every joy and every imperfect moment . The heart and hope of Christmas isn't found in what you can give , but it is in what's already been given to you .

Isn't found in what you can give , but it is in what's already been given to you . Rest in that truth and let it fill your heart with peace and joy . And remember , queen , we know it isn't Santa who pays you the child support Jesus does . He's got your back , your front and everything in between . Until next week , keep that crown steady and your hopes high .

Have a wonderful week and remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you .