Keeping The Stress Out Of Single Parenting
|
Researched through personal experience!
Budget Your Money. Even if you are living paycheck to paycheck like most of us, knowing how much money goes to where can be a big help. This gives you the relief that the bills are being paid, with a feel of how much you can spend on allowance, school photos, birthday gifts, entertainment or just You!
Keep a Daily Schedule. Time is important, so teach that to the kids by implementing a routine. Put together a schedule reflecting chore & homework time. If the kids know their daily routine then it gives them something fun to work for when the Room is clean or the garbage is taken out. Don't be afraid to make your own chores so that your children see you set a positive example.
Let Your Kids be Kids. Even though taking on Single Parenting has sometimes forced you to become serious and lacking laughter, remember those precious children never asked to be in this situation. Don't force them to grow up any faster and deal with the "Single Parent Issues" that we have to deal with. They are still kids and they shouldn't have to worry about anything other than "Kid Issues."
Stay Positive about the Other Parent. No matter the circumstances, don't down talk the other parent. If the Other Parent isn't paying child support, it's none of the kids business and shouldn't be something that is talked about if not brought up by the child. Whether the parent is around or away, it shouldn't matter. We once saw good in that person and regardless of how it is now, your child may always think the world of that Other Parent. In time the truth always comes out, and the only way a child will know is discovering for themselves.
Communicate to Your Children About the Special Circumstances of Your Family. You can keep your kids informed without telling them everything. If you talk to your kids early on, when they are ready, you can avoid having them learn from a distant relative, some other child from school or even a stranger.
Spend Quality Time with Your Children. Keeping your family going takes a lot of energy and a good amount of Quality time away from the kids. Set out a time each day to read, play a game, play on the computer or even learn something new. It could be 2 hours or 20 minutes. What matters is that your child know it's his/her time and they will look forward to each and every day.
Find Support and Use it. There is a lot of help out there, including the resources in this newsletter. Take advantage of them. They're there for you to utilize. I always keep in mind that one day soon I won't need them and I can turn around and help others in the same situation.
Take Time for Yourself. You may always have your children around, but don't forget you are still one person. Keep yourself healthy and feeling positive about being a parent. I know it gets tough and you feel like you are all alone, but you're not. Take some time out to spend with yourself or even to hang out with friends. Adult conversation and a movie is always nice after a long Saturday of nonstop giggling and cartoons!
About The Author
Marta Dodd is a Single mom and Webmaster of www.navygirl.com and www.onemilitaryparent.com. She has been a single mom for 12 years and is also serving in the United States Naval Reserve. Balancing Single Parenthood and the military is a challenging task which she shares with the world. Stop by her website and see what this ambitious lady is up to!
|
|
|
Guide To Choosing Plush Toys For Children
Many people consider plush toys great for children. They say that plush is a soft material that children love very much and that plush toys are so adorable, that you can't resist them.I agree, but what do doctors have to say about it? Are plush toys the best for children?Plush toys are very popular nowadays. A lot of people believe that plush toys are one of the best child toys.Children th...(related: Parenting)
How Effective Is The Nutraceutical Attend With Adhd?
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder called ATTEND, and the other Nutraceutical products made by VAXA International in Tampa, FL.
In fact, I spent nearly two years studying the effectiveness of ATTEND on children and adults with ADHD. It was a big undertaking, but was well worth the effort. At the beginning of the study, I was very skeptical about the effectiveness of anything other than stimulants and therapy. However, as time...(related: Parenting)
First Year With Twins - A Father?s Point Of View
People always ask my wife and I: "How did you ever do it with two babies? I just can't imagine it". My answer is always th...(related: Parenting)
The Free Ride In Public Schools
To protect children's self-esteem or deflect complaints by parents, many public schools today automatically advance failing students to the next grade level. In other schools, some students are left back a maximum of one year, then promoted again regardless of their academic skills.The No Child Left Behind Act tries to solve this problem. The federal government is pressuring public schools to set minimum standards that each student must pass before advancing to the next grade.However, in spite of these new laws, many states still have semi-automatic advancement based on the student's overall per-formance. Many schools consider a stud...(related: Parenting)
Are You Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child?
Although many parents are concerned with our children's intelligence quotient (IQ), research shows that a child's emotional quotient (EQ) is just as important for that child's personal success. So what is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional quotient is your child's ability to feel, while intelligence quotient is your child's ability to think. Although the term was coined in 1990 by psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer, the person responsible for bringing more awareness to emotional intelligence is a science writer Daniel Goleman.Mr Goleman's bookEmotional Intelligence brought to light the importance of a child's skill of awareness, empathy and ability to manage emotions. Although there is some controversy regarding how emotiona...(related: Parenting)
My Children
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years. My kids were 3, 7, 12 and 14 when my ex left.As a single mom, it's often hard because you are the only one to deal with the children. Although, this can often be a blessing as well. There is no one for them to play against you.Often you second guess yourself and wonder if what you are doing is right. There are times when you are and there are times when you aren't. Ove...(related: Parenting)
Personal Honor
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when they receive validation for the way they are living, or, have lived, that life. These moments are usually quiet ones, with no fanfare celebrating the occasion. Yet, the importance of these moments has no equal. To those of us who have given of our time, our love, our care, ourselves, they are of far greater private, personal significance, than can be stated.A few years ago, I found myself in a personally trying situation. It was during this period that I was paid what I feel will be the finest compliment I shall ever receive. It concerned my conduct during this time. My eldest daughter remarked that she believed me to be the most honorabl...(related: Parenting)
Camps For Troubled Teens: Disciplines And Wilderness
Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen camps. There are two types of teen camps: boot camps and summer or wilderness camps. They...(related: Parenting)
Personal Responsibility: What It Means And Whose Job Is It?
"How many times do I have to tell you to clean your room?" Why should a child keep his room neat? Many children say they don't care whether it is neat or dirty, so why should it matter to anyone else? Unless it is a health or safety hazard, or things are getting lost and broken? Then comes the age old question, "What is nea...(related: Parenting)
How To Teach Your Children Self-reliance And Potential
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd highly recommend parents teach their children.Self-reliance refer to the acceptance of responsibility for and the consequence of one's own actions and performance. It is so common to see people blame luck, circumstance or someone else for things that are not up to expectation. If a person want to be successful, he must take responsibility of his action and results, whether it is a positive or not so positive result.Potential means trying to be one's best self and asking the best from oneself. It also refer to the conscio...(related: Parenting)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Parenting