NMCM All Things Family Blog

Below you will find a number of single parenting tips that will help you to deal with some family issues that might arise. Being a single parenting isnt easy, so hopefully you will find some value from the tips below..you can also find more information at single parenting facts.

1.Keep your family involved if possible – or get your friends to give you a hand. The more adults, especially adults of whatever sex you are not, you involve in your children’s lives, the more easily they’ll be able to model behavior and learn from adults. If you’re a single mom, in other words, your sons and daughters both need father figures, and providing them will help them grow up healthy.

2.Know your rights. I’ve lost jobs unfairly due to child care issues. Had I known my rights, I could have fought the firing. Know what you’re entitled to when you must take time off to care for a child.

3.Take a break once in a while. You’ll lose your mind if you wrap your whole life around your children. Go out sometimes – hire a babysitter or leave the kids with your ex, your family, a friend. Aim for some you-time once a month.

4.Watch your family’s health. Sickness (yours or your kids’) is the biggest reason you’ll miss work, and the biggest reason you will lose income through absence or missing out on promotions due to absence. Keeping everyone healthy will minimize this problem. Get yourself and your kids to the doctor on a regular basis, eat well, exercise, and do family things on the weekends. No insurance? Call your state health department and ask about free child health coverage in your state. You should be able to get coverage if you’re a U.S. citizen.

5.Take family vacations every year. Skipping this to save money is counterproductive; a family vacation is a treat your kids will treasure much more than being able to watch Sponge Bob on cable. Even if your vacation consists of a fishing cottage in the woods thirty miles from your house, take it, and treasure the time together to become closer.

6. Remember your kids are kids, not miniature adults. Frequently single parents lean on the oldest child, especially the oldest child of the opposite sex, for extra support. You can do this to a point, but your oldest son is not the man of the house; he’s a boy, and needs to be a child. Extra responsibilities are okay, but know where to draw the line.

7. Be honest about dating. You don’t want to be a single parent forever, but dating can be particularly difficult on your kids, especially if they are hoping for mom and dad to get back together. Don’t stress over it. Live your life, date, and let your kids know that you don’t want to be alone. However, if your kids hate the guy (or girl) you’re dating, listen to them.

If it’s not just a blanket hate for anyone who is not your ex, you might be surprised at your child’s insight.

Tags: Single Parenting

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