Whether your divorce has resulted in single parenthood or you were a single parent from the beginning, single parenting is full of challenges. Often single parents don’t know where to turn for advice and information. Thanks to the internet, there are vast amounts of informative single parenting articles online that can explain the ins and outs of divorce and single parenting issues such as custody, finance, and child care. The following are a couple of pertinent issues that many single parents have questions and doubts about.
Helping Your Children Cope with Divorce
There are many single parenting articles out there aimed at teaching parents how to help their children cope with divorce. Divorce is difficult for everyone in the family but it is particularly difficult for the little ones. Most single parenting articles stress the importance of maintaining discipline. Some parents make the mistake of softening their stance because they feel bad for their children but in order to maintain order you must discipline your children even through these tough times.
There are also many
single parenting articles online that stress the need to maintain a healthy relationship with your co-parent, regardless of the differences you have. You need to take time to establish some sort of “work” relationship that will allow your children to benefit from the presence of both of you. Allow your children to express their feelings about the divorce and ask you questions and give them honest answers leaving out any inappropriate information. Remember, that if you keep a line of communication open with your child, things will be a lot easier to talk about in future. Your children will realize you are approachable and that they can trust you with their issues.
Always be there to listen to your children when they want to talk about the divorce. Many single parenting articles offer the advice that you should never say anything negative about the other parent. This puts your children in the middle of the conflict and breaks trust.
The Question of Childcare
When you are a single parent, childcare is bound to become an issue. You will probably have less time to spend with your children so you need to find a qualified babysitter or advise your kids how to stay at home safely if they are old enough to do so. Single parenting articles online about childcare give parents tips on how to interview and hire a good babysitter. Make sure that you and the babysitter see eye to eye when it comes to disciplining your children. Your children will be spending a lot of time with this person, so make sure they are happy with the babysitter you have chosen and feel comfortable around him/her.
For example, it is important to ask the babysitter questions about their previous experience as well as what their thoughts are on playtime, emergencies, and house rules. Make sure that person is approachable as you might not be around when your children have an issue to deal with and feel the need to have to chat to someone. Other single parenting articles give parents advice on how their children can stay home alone safely. It is recommended that no child under the age of 12 be left home alone.
Parents are recommended to teach their children how to stay home alone safely. Parents are advised to leave a phone number where they can be contacted and start out by leaving their kids home alone only for very short periods of time. You should also call home to check on your children to make sure they are okay. Practice handling emergencies together by doing drills. Childproof your home by keeping harmful objects like firearms and medications behind lock and key.
Single parenting is a lot of responsibility and the challenges it presents can be overwhelming but there is plenty of information and support online that can make it easier for you. You don’t have to go it alone. Read our other single parenting articles to get the best and latest advice so you can smoothly transition into single parenthood and raise happy children.