I have something a bit different today, a guest post from Daniel of DadSolo, full of advice for single parents, from a single parent.
Single parents head 27% of U.S. households with kids, according to Census Bureau statistics. Do you count yourself among this number? If so, then you have a full plate on your hands. In this post, we’ve got some great ways to deal with many of the challenges you likely face. Make no mistake – parenting is tough. But you’re tougher. Now let’s see how to make your responsibilities a little easier to bear.
Keep it Routine
Kids need structure and order in their lives, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic. So keep their weekdays as routine as possible, with set times for meals, studying, recreation and social activities. This may require you to juggle work and other commitments, but the benefits for your children, and for you, are substantial.
Make Sensible Rules
Rule are just as important as a regular routine for fostering a stable family life, according to The Spruce. Here are three things to remember when creating and communicating sensible family guidelines:
- Frame the rules as positive ideals, not negative prohibitions. For example, “Do your homework on time” is better than “Don’t put off your homework.”
- Have set consequences and communicate them as options, not penalties. For example, saying, “Boy, you’re gonna get it if you back talk me once more” is vague and comes across as a threat. On the other hand, saying, “You will stop arguing with me or I will take away your gaming privileges for three days” sets clear options for your child. Just make sure you follow through.
- Lead by example (within reason). Telling your child to go to bed at 10 p.m. doesn’t obligate you to do the same; an adolescent’s sleep needs are different from those of adults. On the other hand, saying “get enough sleep” carries little weight if you stay up all night surfing the internet. Model the habits you expect the rest of your family to adopt.
Stay Organized
This advice is especially important when it comes to money matters. You must live within a budget and teach your kids to do so as well. The best way to help your children understand this fact is to show them how budgets work.. Have a family meeting and explain where the money is going this month. Not only will this help them to develop sound financial habits, it may even enhance their math skills.
Another important aspect of organization is keeping your house tidy. Your kids should contribute to the effort as much as possible. And once you have an organization system in place, make sure everyone works to keep it organized.
A Word About Time Management
“Time? What’s that?” you may ask, and with good reason. No one’s schedule is stretched thinner than that of a single parent. Consider these tips for making the most of this limited resource:
- Prioritize. Some activities are essential, other are desirable, and still others are irrelevant. Take care of the first kind and as many of the second kind as possible, then let the third kind worry about themselves.
- Get help from family and friends. No time to cook tonight? Ask mom to prepare her famous tuna noodle casserole. Unable to drop your son off at soccer practice? Get your trusted best buddy to run that little errand for you.
- Have some “me” time. You must tend to your own needs as well as your family’s. Go for a walk, get a massage, read a novel, or go on a date. Not only will you feel happier, you’ll take better care of your kids as well.
As a single parent, you’ve got a lot ahead of you. But you also have plenty of ways to achieve your goals. Use the tips in this post to guide you in the months and years to come. You’ll look back on your childrearing years as the most rewarding time of your life.