Single parenting when unexpected is tough and few moms are really prepared of the responsibility that comes with it. As a single mom, it is your duty to play both the role of a father and a mother which means more responsibilities than you ever had before. To cope up with this, you need to believe in yourself and your ability to get through every obstacle that will come along. Coupled with the loving support of your family and friends, you will eventually see that parenting in a one-parent family is not all difficulties and stress but joys and rewards as well. Here are some tips that can help you survive the life of single parenting:
1. How to get through over guilt – As a single parents it is likely for you to have moments of insecurity about your ability to raise your children alone. Feelings of guilt, regret, or even frustration are part of your unsuccessful attempt of giving your children a complete family. However, you must not let these negative emotions overpower you or else your children will also have unhealthy relationships towards you and other people.
2. How to provide make role models for your child – Experts say that it is important for single parents to expose their children to other positive men like their grandpa or their uncles. This allows children to feel that they can still receive the love and attention they would normally get from their fathers.
3. How to seek child support – Your child deserves every kind of support from you and his father. Seeking a child’s support is not a way to get back at his father but a way to help you support your child. If a father refuses a child support, you can ask for government’s help. Many States are adopting laws to prevent delinquent parents running away from their responsibilities.
4. How to maintain a civil relationship with your child’s father – Experts advice that it is your responsibility as a parent to keep the lines of communication open and maintain a civil relationship with your child’s father. You must maintain your cool and learn to compromise to allow a good father-child relationship.
5. How to answer when the child asks about the father – There will come a time when your child asks about his other parent. It is scaring but as a mother it is your responsibility to answer questions regarding his father and your household situation honestly and specifically as possible. You need to reassure your child that despite of the circumstances, both of his parents love him or her.
6. How to remind your child of his father – Even if a child’s father can’t play an active role in a child’s life it is still vital to keep his memory in the child’s mind. Encourage your child to nurture his relationship with his dad by constantly reminding something good about his father like a beautiful voice or an enjoyable bonding game they enjoy.
7. Ways to reach out to support networks – Swallowing a little pride and confiding some of your concerns to your family and friends will lighten your parental load. It will also help if you let your family and friends bond with your kids on special occasions or on weekends. For single parenting support groups within your community, you may check: singleparentsnetwork.com or singlemom.com.