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