Sometimes being a single parent can be very unexpected, and thinking about how you’re going to cope when you are left to your own devices can be difficult to comprehend. Single parenting takes a great deal of strength and determination to power through the hard times, and sometimes you just need a bit of help and reassurance to know you’re doing a great job.
In this guide, we’re going to give you some useful tips on how to best survive single parenting, so you feel much less stressed and more in control of your life:
1. Stop comparing yourself
It can be easy to compare yourself to those around you who are married and in a stable relationship with children. However, you simply don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, so it just isn’t a good idea to compare yourself to others. Not only will you lose focus on the tasks you have to do, but you’ll only feel a lot less positive on your own style of parenting.
2. Get your finances in order
As you’ll be the sole earner in the household, learning to get your finances in gear is crucial. Even if you’re not struggling with money, having to work out and keep track of bills can be a challenge on its own. Start budgeting and aim to stick to it as closely as you can, so you don’t land yourself in debt or further financial stress.
3. Self-care is everything
As a single mom, you want to give your child everything – you know you have the role of being both the mom and the dad in their life. Sometimes, it can all get too much, and you start to feel drained both emotionally and physically – especially when you’re trying to juggle work, social relationships, and your finances without someone’s else’s help. Therefore, it’s essential to take care of yourself, so you don’t burn the candle at both ends. Take that much-needed weekend away, have a relaxing bath and make sure you go to the doctor if you have a health concern. If you’re too burnt out to look after your children, who will?
4. Get a handyman around the house
You may not be a DIY expert, nor do you have the time to fix things in the house when they go wrong. Without a partner around to do those essential DIY jobs, it would be a good idea to have a handyman in close reach. Look for “specialized handyman services near me” whenever you need small household tasks completing, or even bigger jobs like plumbing and electricals. So when something breaks in the home, there are options available to you for getting a helping hand to solve it for you.
5. Keep friendships
It’s easy for single moms to become isolated when concentrating their entire effort on rearing their children, to the point where they start to neglect their friendships. Remember, it’s not a crime to go out and have fun once in a while. Ask a family member or close friend to mind your children for a few hours so you can have a break. Maintaining your friendships refreshes you, so you’re ready to put you all into your role as a parent.
6. Ask advice
At times when you’re struggling to cope or make decisions, don’t be afraid to ask for help from others – especially from those who have been in your position or have older children. You shouldn’t feel any shame or guilt in doing this, because you may be in a position to help others at some stage and would be unlikely to pass judgment.
Other single moms will understand your situation better than anyone else, and you won’t need to explain anything to them. Asking for much-needed parenting advice should put your mind at ease whenever you’re in doubt. If you happen to be struggling with finances, reach out to financial councilors who will be able to give you useful tips on how to budget.
If you’re a single mom – hat’s off to you! Being a parent is a huge responsibility, but even more so when you have to do it alone. Pat yourself on the back and remember how well you’re doing when things get tough. No-one is perfect. As long as you know you’re doing all you can in the best interests of your children, that’s essentially all that matters. We hope the above tips have given you the help and guidance you’ve been looking for to keep pushing on.
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