| Single parenting is challenging, but you can | | | | association or someone from your church. Make |
| function as both mom and dad. I say this not | | | | sure you know who this person is before you |
| to devalue the importance of both parents in | | | | let them be around your child. Know that |
| a child's life, but to inspire parents who | | | | adults who prey upon kids often volunteer |
| are truly alone in the world. There are many | | | | their services in order to get next to your |
| examples of fine men and women who have been | | | | child. These people will seem normal and will |
| raised by single moms or dads. In this | | | | work hard to gain your trust, but in your |
| article, we will first explore the effects of | | | | gut, you will feel that something is not |
| single parenting and then offer some | | | | right. Trust your gut and protect your child. |
| important tips.Effects of Single | | | | Proceed carefully and wisely, but don't |
| Parenting:The effects of divorce on a child | | | | underestimate the importance of a mentor of |
| have been well documented. Children of | | | | the same gender in your child's |
| divorce have a higher risk of problems | | | | life.Connection and Communication. Single |
| associated with adjustment, behavior or | | | | parenting means working twice as hard to |
| social skills. This is most likely due to the | | | | forge strong bonds with your child. Bonding |
| stress and trauma created around the | | | | is all about connection, communication and |
| break-up. If parents can handle divorce in an | | | | being there as guide and witness during the |
| amicable way, still coming together as a team | | | | tough, triumphant and mundane moments of your |
| to support the best interests of the child, | | | | child's life. Every child needs someone to |
| then the risks are small.Obviously, single | | | | feel safe with, someone with whom they can |
| parenting does not always mean raising | | | | let down their guard. In a two parent |
| children of divorce. Some parents have never | | | | marriage, one partner may provide support |
| been married. Others have survived the death | | | | when the other is unavailable for a variety |
| of their spouse. These adults are impacted by | | | | of reasons. As a single parent, you are the |
| the same issues faced by divorced parents: | | | | sole support. Despite this, connecting and |
| isolation, lack of support, financial | | | | communicating with your child in a positive |
| struggles and emotional overwhelm. When an | | | | manner feels good and will energize you in |
| adult is constantly stressed, the child | | | | ways that will allow you to meet your child's |
| absorbs and mirrors these feeling | | | | needs.Engage your child in activities she |
| states.Single Parenting Tips: | | | | loves. Be an active participant in your |
| | | | child's growing awareness of the world and |
| Get Support. You need to have friends, | | | | what interests her. When you do something |
| relatives or a support group that can help | | | | with your child, remember that children are |
| you manage your stress. Remember, your child | | | | process-oriented, while most adults tend to |
| reflects your feelings. If you are not | | | | be goal-oriented. In order to truly engage |
| relaxed, your child cannot be either. If | | | | your child, you must allow yourself to become |
| there is no support group in your area, start | | | | process-oriented when you play with her or |
| your own. Get together to talk about the | | | | engage her interests. This is how a single |
| single parent experience. Offer to watch each | | | | parent creates a bond that goes beyond |
| others' children to get some time on your own | | | | meeting the child's physical and emotional |
| or take care of things that you can't do with | | | | needs. |
| your child. It is important to have some | | | | |
| alone time, away from your child and job, so | | | | Although single parenting can be tough, it |
| that you can unwind and regroup.Find a | | | | is rewarding and fulfilling. If you |
| Mentor. In a perfect world, single adults | | | | incorporate these important tips into your |
| would work together to help each other raise | | | | life, you are sure to create a healthy, |
| their children, providing role models of both | | | | loving relationship with your child. Your |
| genders for every child (and perhaps this is | | | | child's physical, emotional and spiritual |
| something you can facilitate if you start a | | | | well-being now and in the future depends on |
| single parent group). A role model can be a | | | | this. |
| coach, a teacher, someone from a group or | | | | |