5 Tips for Single Parents
If you are a single parent, take time to celebrate yourself and your hard work and resilience. Monday, March 21, 2022 is National Single Parent’s Day. Here are a few ideas for honoring yourself as a single parent and taking care of your children:
Take time for yourself, whatever that means for you. Hire a babysitter and go to your favorite beach or garden, go to the movies, get a manicure/pedicure, or have coffee, tea, or a glass of wine with your closest friend. As instructed when you ride on an airplane, put on your oxygen mask first, then your children’s. If you don’t have enough oxygen, you will be of no help to them.
Reassure your children. You are not a “broken family;” you are now the head of a new family. Your kids need to know that you are optimistic, strong, loving, and supportive of what they are going through and that you will always be there for them. Keep connected to your adult children; there’s always time for healing no matter how old they get.
Forgive yourself for your mistakes, past and present. Work on feeling good about what you are doing for yourself and your children. Try to put aside any guilt or dwelling in the past. Try to get past any bitterness, resentment, or anger toward your children’s other parent.
Reach out for the support you need. Being a single parent can be a hard, lonely job. Ask for help from trusted adults, whether they be therapists, family members, or friends. Meet up with other single parents for adult time or play dates for the children.
Try new things and explore new passions. It is normal for single parents to feel lowered self-esteem. This is a time to exercise your confidence muscles. Get to know yourself as a new person. Try a new hobby; discover new things that excite you.
Being a single parent can be daunting, but you are up to the task!