The challenges facing single parents are enormous but surmountable.
According to Meyer (2009), these challenges can be minimized by:
According to Meyer (2009), these challenges can be minimized by:
·
Managing finance effectively
Managing finance effectively
·
Setting up a support system
Setting up a support system
·
Maintaining a daily routine
Maintaining a daily routine
·
Being consistent with discipline
Being consistent with discipline
·
Answering questions honestly
Answering questions honestly
·
Abolishing guilt
Abolishing guilt
·
Spending time with children
Spending time with children
·
Taking time off for oneself
Taking time off for oneself
·
Staying positive
Staying positive
i.
Managing finance
effectively: Raising a family on one income, or relying
on an ex-spouse for child support, can be one of the hardest aspects of
parenting alone. That is why it is important to take steps to manage money
effectively, learn about long-term investments, plan for college and
retirement, and, if possible, single parents should enhance their earning power
by going back to school or getting additional job training.
Managing finance
effectively: Raising a family on one income, or relying
on an ex-spouse for child support, can be one of the hardest aspects of
parenting alone. That is why it is important to take steps to manage money
effectively, learn about long-term investments, plan for college and
retirement, and, if possible, single parents should enhance their earning power
by going back to school or getting additional job training.
ii.
Setting up a support
system: All single parents need help- whether it is
someone to watch over the children while the single parent runs out to do
errands or simply someone to talk to when the single parent feel overwhelmed.
While it is tempting to try to handle everything alone, asking friends and
family members for help can go a long way to reducing the stress associated
with single parenthood. A single parent could join a single-parent support
group, or, if finances allow, hire a trusted baby-sitter to help out with the children
or someone to assist with house work.
Setting up a support
system: All single parents need help- whether it is
someone to watch over the children while the single parent runs out to do
errands or simply someone to talk to when the single parent feel overwhelmed.
While it is tempting to try to handle everything alone, asking friends and
family members for help can go a long way to reducing the stress associated
with single parenthood. A single parent could join a single-parent support
group, or, if finances allow, hire a trusted baby-sitter to help out with the children
or someone to assist with house work.
iii.
Maintaining a daily
routine: Single parent should try to schedule meals,
chores, bedtimes, and other family functions at regular hours so that children
can know exactly what to expect each day. A consistent routine will help children
to feel more secure and help you feel more organized.
Maintaining a daily
routine: Single parent should try to schedule meals,
chores, bedtimes, and other family functions at regular hours so that children
can know exactly what to expect each day. A consistent routine will help children
to feel more secure and help you feel more organized.
iv.
Being consistent with
discipline: Children thrive when they know which behaviours
are expected of them and which rules they need to follow. Single parents who
are divorced or separated must work with their spouse to create and observe
consistent rules and methods of discipline (there’s nothing more stressful than
having one parent undermine the other).
Being consistent with
discipline: Children thrive when they know which behaviours
are expected of them and which rules they need to follow. Single parents who
are divorced or separated must work with their spouse to create and observe
consistent rules and methods of discipline (there’s nothing more stressful than
having one parent undermine the other).
v.
Answering questions
honestly: Inevitably, questions will come up about the
changes in family structure or about the absence of one parent from the
children. Single parents must answer the questions in an open, honest, and
age-appropriate way. It is necessary that the single parent makes sure those
children gets the help and support they need to deal with difficult emotions.
Answering questions
honestly: Inevitably, questions will come up about the
changes in family structure or about the absence of one parent from the
children. Single parents must answer the questions in an open, honest, and
age-appropriate way. It is necessary that the single parent makes sure those
children gets the help and support they need to deal with difficult emotions.
vi.
Abolishing guilt: It is always easy for single parents to feel guilty about the time
they do not have or the things they cannot do or provide for their children.
But for the own sense of the single parent well-being, it is better to focus on
all the things they do accomplish on a daily basis and on all the things they
do provide. They should focus on helping the child get the help they need.
Abolishing guilt: It is always easy for single parents to feel guilty about the time
they do not have or the things they cannot do or provide for their children.
But for the own sense of the single parent well-being, it is better to focus on
all the things they do accomplish on a daily basis and on all the things they
do provide. They should focus on helping the child get the help they need.
vii.
Spending time with
children: Even though there might be a lot of
responsibilities begging for the single parent’s attention, he/she should spend
quiet time playing, reading, going for a walk, or simply listening to music
together.
Spending time with
children: Even though there might be a lot of
responsibilities begging for the single parent’s attention, he/she should spend
quiet time playing, reading, going for a walk, or simply listening to music
together.
viii.
Taking time off for oneself: It is important for the single parent to schedule time for
his/herself. Even if it is something as simple as reading a book, taking a warm
bath, or having a chat with a friend, setting aside a little personal time will
give the single parent a chance to relax.
Taking time off for oneself: It is important for the single parent to schedule time for
his/herself. Even if it is something as simple as reading a book, taking a warm
bath, or having a chat with a friend, setting aside a little personal time will
give the single parent a chance to relax.
ix.
Staying positive: It is easy to become overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and
demands of single parenthood. On top of that, he/she may be experiencing the
pain of divorce or the death of a spouse. Despite all of these feelings, it is
important to maintain a positive attitude, since the children are affected by a
badly managed mood. The best way to deal with stress is to exercise regularly,
maintain a proper diet and get enough rest.
Staying positive: It is easy to become overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and
demands of single parenthood. On top of that, he/she may be experiencing the
pain of divorce or the death of a spouse. Despite all of these feelings, it is
important to maintain a positive attitude, since the children are affected by a
badly managed mood. The best way to deal with stress is to exercise regularly,
maintain a proper diet and get enough rest.
