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Single Parent: Juggling Life As a Single Parent

May 13, 2023

7 min read

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Author : United We Care
Clinically approved by : Dr.Vasudha
Single Parent: Juggling Life As a Single Parent

Introduction

Single parents take care of a child or children all by themselves. They do not have the support of a partner to manage all the responsibilities. They face many challenges. They have to manage work and complete household chores. They also need to spend quality time with the children and ensure they are not facing any issues in their lives, emotionally, mentally, or physically. Single parents must learn to manage time, set realistic expectations, and indulge in me-time activities to create a happy and healthy family time.

“I can’t tell you how much I respect all the single parents out there doing it solo” -Jennie Finch [1]

What are the Challenges Faced by Single Parents?

Raising a child all by yourself can pose many challenges [2]:

  1. Single Earning Person: Single parenthood means one person’s earning supports them and the children, which can be challenging. Covering daily expenses, house rents, and education costs on a single person’s income is difficult in our economy.
  2. Time Management: Single parents have to deal with so many responsibilities at home and work that they might feel they lack time for themselves.
  3. Isolation and Guilt: Being a parent is emotionally demanding. Singlehandedly dealing with dual responsibilities can make a single parent feel isolated and lonely. They may also feel guilty, specifically when the children ask about not having a second parent or being unable to provide for them.
  4. Lack of Support: Single parents have to do everything on their own. Most often, their families may also not be able to support them. Taking breaks or getting help with childcare may be tough.
  5. Parenting Challenges: Children of single parents might feel that the parent doesn’t give them enough time or are never around. Such feelings may lead to behavioral issues. Single parents might find it difficult to discipline their children.

How Does Single-Parenting Impact the Children?

Children of single-parenting homes face difficulties in their daily activities or the long term. Although most children grow up to be independent and lead successful and loving lives, some common issues are [3]:

  1. Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties: Children of single parents might face emotional and behavioral issues. They are more prone to anxiety, depression, and aggression.
  2. Academic Performance: Children from single-parenting backgrounds can suffer academically and overall educational achievement. They may score lower on the tests and be inattentive in the classroom.
  3. Economic Hardship: Single parents manage all expenses independently, leading to financial difficulties. Due to this financial difficulty, children may have restricted resources and opportunities.
  4. Increased Responsibility: Single parents’ children innately have leadership qualities. They may take on more responsibilities at home and school, such as caring for younger siblings, contributing to household chores, and being school prefects.
  5. Lack of Parental Involvement: Single parents sometimes cannot dedicate enough time or be involved in their children’s day-to-day activities, impacting their social and emotional development.

What is the Role of the Community for Single Parents?

Single parent

People are said to be social animals. So a community that supports people and provides resources and a sense of belonging is crucial. The kind of support that single parents can get from a community of local organizations, support groups, friends, and family involves [4]:

  1. Providing Emotional Support: Whenever needed, community members can support emotionally and hear out the issues single parents face to reduce their stress and overwhelming feelings.
  2. Offering Practical Assistance: Community members can also help share the load of the responsibilities. Many-a-times, friends or other family members offer to take care of the children, provide transportation or help with household tasks.
  3. Providing Access to Resources: Communities sometimes help single parents stand on their feet. They provide financial support, offer food, and even provide jobs to the parents, which can help them with their basic needs.
  4. Creating a Sense of Belonging: Parenthood can be overwhelming. For single parents, it is much worse. They can end up feeling lonely or isolated. Being a part of a community can bring a sense of belonging.
  5. Advocating for Change: Single parents need policies like affordable childcare, paid family leave, and access to healthcare. Community members can be the advocate for the same.

Essential Tips to Juggle Life as a

Single Parent

Single parent

Here are some crucial tips for juggling life as a single parent [5]:

  1. Set Realistic Expectations: It is humanly impossible for an individual to do everything right. Single parents must set expectations for themselves and their children based on what is possible rather than what they should do.
  2. Develop a Routine: Daily routines help people stay on track. Single parents can set regular bedtimes, meal times, and time for homework and other recreational activities.
  3. Get Organized: Single parents can manage their time and responsibilities better if they get organized. They can keep calendars, put alarms or even use a to-do list to help themselves.
  4. Make Time for Self-care: Single parents can manage stress and overwhelming feelings by caring for themselves. They must make time for activities they enjoy, such as exercise, meditation, reading, or spending time with friends.
  5. Get Support: Single parents should learn to ask for help boldly. They can join a support group or have their family and friends help them. Doing so can provide a sense of community and encouragement.
  6. Communicate with your Children: Children know what is happening around them. Single parents must talk to them wholeheartedly about their situations, issues, and how they feel.
  7. Stay Positive: Single parents often forget to acknowledge that they are doing their best. Focusing on things going right rather than something not going well is important. Focus on the positive aspects of your life and your relationship with your children. Single parents’ love and support can provide to children can mean the world to them.

Read this article-5 smart way for single mothers to build a support network

Essential Tips To Build A Support System For Single Parent

 Single parent

Building a support system for single parents involves [6]:

  1. Reach out to Friends and Family: Single parents can reach out to friends and family for emotional support. Talking your heart out can help solve the problems at hand.
  2. Join a Support Group: Support groups can increase community feeling and belongingness in single parents. They can even get practical solutions from other single parents with similar challenges.
  3. Get Involved in Community Organizations: Single parents can participate in community welfare work and parent-teacher associations in their children’s schools. Doing so can help them meet new people and build connections.
  4. Utilize Online Resources: There are a lot of online blogs, vlogs, public forums for discussions, and social media platforms that provide support and advice to single parents.
  5. Seek Professional Help: Single parents can consider seeking professional help from a psychologist or life coach to help manage stress and issues with children. United We Care is one such platform.
  6. Be Open and Willing to Accept Help: Single parents might also feel guilty about taking help. However, they must be open and willing to accept help from family, friends, and support groups.

Conclusion

Single parents have to fulfill multiple roles in life, which requires a lot of effort. Support from family, friends, and the community can help single parents to do it successfully. They must set believable expectations and routines for themselves and their children. Also, learn to prioritize self-care and to stay positive. Children of single parents can blossom with the love and support that single parents can provide. They can turn out to be achievers and sensitive human beings.

If you are a single parent trying to juggle life, reach out to our mental health experts at United We Care! At United We Care, a team of wellness professionals and mental health experts will guide you with the best methods for well-being.

References

[1] N. J. Editor, “Single Mom Quotes On Providing, Strength and Love,” Everyday Power, Mar. 07, 2023. https://everydaypower.com/single-mom-quotes/

[2] “8 Challenges Every Indian Single Parent Faces | Youth Ki Awaaz,” Youth Ki Awaaz, Oct. 05, 2017. https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2017/10/single-indian-parents-things-we-need-to-understand/

[3] “How Does Single Parenting Affect a Child?,” MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/how_does_single_parenting_affect_a_child/article.htm

[4] “Joining Single Parent Community,” Indiaparenting.com. https://www.indiaparenting.com/joining-single-parent-community.html

[5] “Creative Strategies from Single Parents on Juggling Work and Family,” Harvard Business Review, Apr. 08, 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/04/creative-strategies-from-single-parents-on-juggling-work-and-family

[6] B. Eldridge, “How to build a support system as a single parent | Div-ide Financial Separation,” Div-ide Financial Separation, Feb. 17, 2020. https://www.div-ide.com.au/how-to-build-a-support-system-as-a-single-parent/

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Author : United We Care

Founded in 2020, United We Care (UWC) is providing mental health and wellness services at a global level, UWC utilizes its team of dedicated and focused professionals with expertise in mental healthcare, to solve 2 essential missing components in the market, sustained user engagement and program efficacy/outcomes.

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