How to Raise a Child as a Single Parent
If you are raising a child on your own, you're in good company -- data provided by the Pew Research Center shows that, in the United States, approximately 25 percent of all households in 2011 were headed by a single mom and another 8 percent by a single dad. In fact, according to an article in "The Atlantic," the number of single parents more than tripled between 1960 and 2013. While single parenthood can be a challenge at times, it can also be a very rewarding experience. Children raised by one parent often feel a great deal of respect for the parent who does it all by herself, and the special one-on-one time they spend together can result in even closer relationships than those experienced in families with both parents present.
Instructions
Look for support from your friends, family, community or other single parents. Having other people to help you out in a bind or just lend a sympathetic ear can give you and your children emotional security and the strength you need to make it through tough times. Introduce your child to a broad range of people, as each person will have something to teach him. Seek out role models of the opposite sex, such as siblings, aunts or uncles or grandparents. This will allow your child to develop a positive opinion of that gender to counteract the absence of a father or mother. Get the kids involved in household management. Allow even the youngest children to take responsibility for simple tasks such as picking up toys, and have older ones take on chores such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for younger siblings or pets. Delegating household duties will not only free up more of your time, but it will help your children feel like an important part of your family's team. Take some time for yourself. Realize that, while spending time with your kids is wonderful, every once in a while you need to relax and recharge your batteries by doing something just for yourself, whether it's a night out with friends or a night in with a good book. Set an early bedtime for your kids, and try to wake up extra early yourself in order to arrange for a little "me time" at the beginning and end of your day. Feel free to date, but be careful about when and how you introduce a potential love interest to your children. Arrange for a babysitter when you first start seeing someone, and tell your children you need some time to go out and meet new friends. Postpone introducing your partner to the kids until you feel the relationship is a serious, stable one in order to avoid the risk of your children becoming attached to someone who's going to disappear from their lives. Once you feel it's time to get your partner involved with the kids, take it slow and easy, having him share in your family activities a little at a time until everyone is better acquainted. Give yourself a break. Realize that you're doing the best job you can, as a breadwinner and a parent, but that you're not a superhero and you can't expect perfection in every area of your life. Do not feel guilty about not being able to give your children everything they want or about the fact that they only have one parent. Stay positive about your life together, and your children will likely feel good about it, too.
