It's no secret Valentine's Day comes with a bit of controversy. There are those who enthusiastically embrace the sea of red, the flowers, the candy, and the many heart-shaped items that seem to surround us this time of year. There are also those who boycott the day altogether refusing to participate in something that in their minds should be celebrated throughout the year, not just on one day. Wherever you find yourself on the Valentine's Day spectrum, many single parents have a unique relationship with this day. 

For single parents with no interest in dating, the day may seem obsolete.  For others, the day may come as a sharp reminder of having a relationship status they wish was different. Some parents who are single may feel as though Valentine's Day shines a giant spotlight on what they feel to be a hole, magnifying their desire to have a significant other in their life.

Regardless of each person's view of this February 14th occasion, the day presents an opportunity to see through the fog of balloons, cards, and flowers and recognize what's at it's core...love. Knowing love is from God and God is love (1 John 4:7-8) can give the day all new meaning! It allows us to take our eyes off of the worldly things surrounding Valentine's Day, as well as our particular relationship status, and instead fix our eyes on the greatest love relationship available to us...the one with our Lord and Savior. Knowing God gave us the ultimate sacrificial gift out of His love for us makes Valentine's Day a day to celebrate!

"If you're traveling with small children, please secure your mask first before assisting your child."  -We've all been in a plane and heard the flight attendant give such instructions.  And many of us have likely recognized how relevant those instructions are in situations other than just flying.  In order to be able to "assist your child" best we, as parents, need to make sure we are getting the oxygen we need.  Once the flow of oxygen has begun, we will have put ourselves in a better position to give of ourselves to our children. 

Single parents know all too well how much that time to breathe is needed, yet often times single parents do not build those intentional breaks into their schedules.  Maybe there is a financial barrier in getting a sitter or maybe there is guilt involved in taking some time for themselves.  Whatever the reason, the need to recharge still remains, and Single Parent Provision is providing the opportunity for single parents to take that break via Break Time.  For some, taking a break might involve taking a solo trip to the store or running other errands; for others it might mean sitting in silence and reading a book or meeting a friend for coffee.  While how the break is spent might look different for each single parent, the importance of getting the oxygen flowing remains the same. 

A common denominator you'll find among single parents is their quest to somehow find more hours in a day.  While we're not promising more hours in a day, we have crafted a way in which to provide single parents with more available time.  In just 8 short weeks Single Parent Provision will begin providing single parents with a designated time to run errands, finish chores, or simply have some alone time.  Friday, September 12th  from 5:00 to 9:00pm marks the kick off to our signature program, Break Time! This free event will allow single parents to enjoy some down time, while the kids are treated to a fun evening at a great facility.  Click on the following link to learn more: September Break Time.