No matter how much we fight with our siblings, annoy them, or even secretly wish that they were never born, the reality is we can never imagine a world without them. They were our first best friends while growing up and our forever cheerleaders as we step into adulthood. This is something that a single child doesn’t get to experience. Occasions like Raksha Bandhan that are very important for many of us might seem lonely for a single child. While the rest of the world is busy preparing for Raksha Bandhan, buying gifts, and rakhi with sweets, a single child may feel left out from the excitement and might not relate to it.
As a parent, you would want to make this festival equally exciting and memorable for your kid, despite them being a single child. This will not only make your kid feel like a part of the celebration but will also help him/her find a common topic with their friends once the excitement dies down. Here is our list to make Raksha Bandhan unforgettable for your child, without them feeling down about not having a sibling or they are missing out on something.
Invite cousins or family or friends over
One of the most common things families do on Raksha Bandhan is to invite their family. If you have a single child, it makes sense to arrange a company for him/her with whom Raksha Bandhan could be celebrated. They can tie a rakhi to their cousin, any other family member, or even their friends, which will help your kid feel included. You can cook your kid’s favourite meal and plan some fun little activities. You can also visit your family on this day to make Raksha Bandhan an exciting experience for your child.
Celebrate Raksha Bandhan with your kid
If you can’t invite family or friends over, you can celebrate Raksha Bandhan with your kid as a family. You can ask him to tie a rakhi to you while also following the usual traditions of Raksha Bandhan. Keeping things similar to how Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in other households will also make everything look natural. Also, it will help your child understand that the importance of a festival lies in celebrating it with your loved ones.
Plant for activities to keep your kid busy
Besides the usual things one does on Raksha Bandhan, you can also create an itinerary of fun activities to do with your kid. In fact, many societies celebrate festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Holi& Diwali on a larger scale which one can attend. So, you can always look for such places near you, as your child will get to mingle with kids his/her age. You can also make some other plans like a small outing to a nearby park, or a mall or arcade, as per how you want to celebrate the day.
Spend quality time together
One of the best ways to make your kid feel excited about Raksha Bandhan is to spend quality time with them. Not having siblings to play with can seem more prominent during occasions like Raksha Bandhan, so your presence is important to your kid. Even something as small as watching an animated movie with them can do the trick. Plan your day around things that your kid will enjoy, then follow through with those activities after you are done with the quintessential celebration.
Whether your kid feels the absence of a sibling in her/his life or not, it is always a good idea to have your own celebration of Raksha Bandhan. This will ensure that your child does not feel excluded amidst the hustle and bustle of this festival. Put your everything into making this day equally special for your kid, whether they have a sibling or not. If you plan on getting a rakhi theme cake to uplift their mood, then go for it. Do everything you deem fit to prevent your child from feeling left out in school or amongst their friends. And who even says that one has to have a blood relationship to call somebody their sibling and tie a rakhi tie on them?
