Parenting is tough. Parenting alone is a superhuman task. But it’s not impossible. Below are some tips to help you make sense of your world as a single parent and succeed in raising your child or children.
Find Your Hero
Create a list of single parents that you admire the most. There are single parents there, like President Obama’s mother, who successfully raised their children. You probably know someone personally who was able to raise kids alone successfully. You can revisit this list any time you feel down. If they did it, you can do it too!
Get a Better Schedule
Racing between daycare and your full-time job can take a toll on your sanity. The best solution to this is to get a better schedule. Don’t be afraid to ask your employer if you can get a better schedule. Maybe you can come in earlier and leave earlier.
Consider working from home if it’s a possibility.
Take Some Time Off
We all need our batteries charged from time to time. Scheduling time for yourself is important. You don’t even have to go on a date or have a good time with your friends. Schedule some time away from the kids. Get a babysitter. Or if you can’t find one, get another single parent to take care of your kid/s in exchange for you taking care of her kids in a the future.
Don’t Worry About Things You Can’t Control
Maybe the other parent didn’t show up for the third time on your kid’s baseball game. Try not to be upset. It’s the other parent’s fault and not yours. Don’t lose sleep over it. Instead, focus on the things that YOU can control.
Count from 10 to 1
It’s a proven technique. Whenever you’re about to lose control, stop and count backwards from 10 to 1. It will help you stop yourself from shouting at your kid/s. It’s not always easy to be in control especially when you’re the only one taking care of the children. But shouting won’t do you or your kids any good.
Not All Chores have to be Done Now
Mornings are the busiest for single parents. You have to prepare breakfast, get ready for work and get your child ready for school or daycare. Add to that the beds that need to be made and the dishes that need to be done.
You can schedule some of the chores later. Set your priorities.
Father/Mother Figure
Your child needs both mother and father figures. Seek out good role models. They can be your relatives and friends. This is important for your child to have a balanced view of the world.
Give Yourself a Pat on the Back
Is your child now saying “thank you” and “sorry” without you prompting? That’s an achievement. Congratulate yourself. Can he tie his shoes on his own? Share these small achievements with family and friends.
Always be Prepared
Make sure you have a drink or snack for your kid if you’re going on a trip. A box of crayons and paper do draw on can be helpful to keep him busy. Small toys are wonderful.
Being prepared is important for all parents but particularly for single parents.
Learn How to Multitask
Work and play can be mixed together. Are you folding the fresh laundry? Ask your kids what the colors are. You can even ask your child to help with minor chores like drying dishes. You can watch over your kid while doing some chores at home.
Michelle Glenn is a single mom and writer who contributes to GosuReviews, a site that helps consumers make informed decisions when making their purchases.
