If you suddenly find yourself alone due to a partner or spouse leaving, it is crucial to maintain stability for your child. Many parents believe a “consistent schedule” equals stability. In fact, many believe having your child on tight school, social and even meal schedules supports healthy emotional well being. Although that is certainly part of it, there is a more complex blue print that should be considered. I have identified three key areas single parents can tie together to ensure healthy development and security for their children. These three keys are for YOU, the parent. Your...
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In many people’s eyes, the term “single parent” has been synonymous with worry, stress and poverty. There is a constant fear of financial loss and/or financial “lack”. In most studies, children coming from single parent homes are identified as almost always being raised in poverty. According to the US Census report released in 2009, single mothers represent 82.6% of all custodial parents. There is great focus on lack of financial resources, minimum wage salaries and the assumption that the child or children will not attend college. How can a single parent break the stereotype?...
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“Anger is one little litter away from Danger” - unknown
ANGER – we all feel it but most of us haven’t been taught how to wisely express it. Oh to be sure, we express anger all right, but many do so in a destructive way. How many of us have witnessed the meltdown of the “angry parent”. How many of us have been that parent? It is in those outbursts of rage that we lose the bigger picture. It is also important to note that many times we assign “distorted anger” onto others. However, once the dam of anger is broken, emotions overwhelm like that rushing water and destroy...
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The parenting manual is the pamphlet they gave you at the hospital when you took your bundle of joy home. Oh, you didn’t get one? Me neither. Whether you left the hospital as a single parent or became one sometime later, you are not alone in looking for the elusive parenting manual.
Most single parents I know take on too much guilt. They take on the guilt for the mom or dad who left the child as well as anything negative that happens to their children. The former is a colossal mistake. You absolutely have no control over the actions of the other parent. What you do have control over...
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Many single moms I speak with note depression or loneliness as a larger issue than financial problems. The root causes of depression can be related to chemical imbalances. However, when a woman suddenly finds herself raising a child alone, the emotional pressures can lead to “situational depression”. This is the term a doctor once used to describe my emotional state. Unfortunately, most women move from “situational” to moderate or major depression. Raising a child or children alone almost always comes with feelings of loneliness. While single moms have their children around, adult...
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