Are you a single parent? If you are, it turns out you’re in good company. Single-parent families are very common, and as a single mom or dad, we here at Be Strong International (Be Strong) want you to feel empowered and know that there is nothing to be ashamed of when leading a single-parent life.
According to the Pew Research Center Fact Tank, almost a quarter of U.S. children under the age of 18 live with one parent and no other adults. That means 23% of the country’s children live in single-parent homes.
While raising a child can be difficult under any circumstance, it is well recognized that it can be harder when you’re doing it on your own.
Whether divorced, separated, widowed, or simply being a single parent by choice, it can equal being encumbered with various commitments and responsibilities that include emotional, financial, and social bearings. These can have a negative impact on anybody’s well-being, as well as that of their children and dependents. However, Be Strong is here to support single parents in many ways through programs, events, and games. We are a non-profit organization in South Florida that has worked with youth and families here for 30 years.
With demanding work schedules and life having a way of throwing curve balls, what is most important is how you, as a mom or dad, maneuver single parenthood gracefully.
There can sometimes be talk about single-parent families’ having issues and the disadvantages to the youth and society, but focusing on the weaknesses and problems doesn’t help single parents and their children become stronger individuals. At Be Strong, we provide parents and children with tools to make better decisions about their lives. This can help lead to a more promising future for you, your children, and your community.
Let’s explore how being a strong and strategic single parent can be advantageous to your children and your community because, as single parent Meg Lowrey puts it, “Being a single parent is not a life full of struggles, but a journey for the strong.”
Why being a strong single parent is important
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Confidence goes a long way:
When you have confidence in what you are doing and how you are parenting, your children will feed off that energy and learn by example. In turn, they too will have the ability to become assertive and driven individuals that will surely play valuable roles in their communities.
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Self-sufficiency:
It’s great to have the help of a partner, but if you don’t have the assistance of another individual to help you with raising your children, developing an independence model that works for you and your family will be beneficial for you in the long term for the creation of goal achievements and financial stability.
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Breaking the cycle:
Once you empower yourself as a single parent to be the best you can be, it helps to create generational stability for your offspring and their offspring, empowering them towards a successful life.
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The right choice:
Being the most empowered parent you can be is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family to make positive choices.
Top 10 tips for single parents
It’s not an easy road, but you are willing to do what it takes to be the best parent you can be for your children. We here at Be Strong have compiled a list of 10 tips to help you navigate the sole responsibility of parenthood.
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Plan in advance:
Planning is essential and organization is key. Try to coordinate and manage as much as you possibly can in advance for everything, including lunches, school clothing, trips, extracurricular activities, play dates, and homework. Once you are organized, it will help make life easier for both you and your children go smoother.
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Save your coins:
We can’t emphasize enough the importance of saving for a rainy day. For example, try to put away a small portion a month and get advice on your finances, because children can be expensive and emergency funds will always come in handy. Our Strong Money Mentality program for adults helps build better decision-making skills with regard to finances.
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Don’t be afraid to ask for help:
Don’t let pride get in the way of asking for assistance from time to time. If you need help asking friends and family to lend a hand with babysitting, school runs, and other things you might need for your children to thrive, do so. And remember, Be Strong is here for you.
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Build a support system and community:
There is so much power in community, and having a good support system as a single parent is vital. Join single parent communities like those available at Be Strong or online groups to interact with other single moms and dads on how to navigate single parenthood. Also, lean on family and friends to support you when needed.
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Self-care is the best care:
You know the adage, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” As a single parent, you need to ensure that you are taking care of yourself to take care of your children. Exercise, get enough sleep, make time for spa days, meditate, and/or have a girls’ or guys’ night out on occasion. Do things that fuel your soul to be the best parent you can be.
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Create routines and traditions:
Structure is important. Try to be as consistent in your daily life as possible, creating routines. Ideally, do something or create activities that both you and the children can count on doing daily or weekly that will spark joy and keep you connected on a different level. Examples are praying, meditation, playing car games like ‘I Spy’ on the way to school, or creating designated days of the week for a fun dinner night: Taco Tuesday or pizza night will be just right.
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Love not war:
If there happens to be another parent in the mix, please make it a point to never criticize the other parent in front of your children. Children are sponges and don’t need the negativity of hearing bad things about their other parents. Work on heart skills together. Take the high road as best as you can.
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Empower yourself:
You are doing a good job, and don’t let anybody tell you differently. Learn new skills and even take classes that can assist you on your journey of being a single parent. Remember, you are never too old to learn something new.
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Don’t let guilt consume you:
Don’t spoil your children in an effort to make up for being a single parent. It’s a recipe for disaster. Ensure they keep up with their chores and adhere to the rules that are set out. Praise them when they do the right things, but don’t fall victim to the guilt of being a single parent and letting your children have their own way.
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Say sorry:
Children learn from examples. Yes, you are the parent, but make it a point to be honest with your kids and apologize to them when you are wrong for your mistakes. Respect goes both ways.
Be Strong Parents
We know that being a single parent isn’t always easy and good help can be hard to come by, so if you need advice or help, Be Strong is always here for you. Our parenting education program, Raising the B.A.R. Parent Alliance, is a helpful resource.
Raising the B.A.R. (Budding Adult Relationships) is a free parenting workshop program designed to teach parents and caregivers how to raise happy, healthy children. It provides workshops through The Children’s Trust, which funds neighborhood initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of children and families.
Raising the B.A.R. parenting workshops address issues such as discipline, self-esteem, social media safety, family involvement, and others. Ready to Talk, our teen-focused session, examines parents’ and teens’ attitudes, developing heart skills, perceptions, practices, and decision-making processes regarding sexual activity.
Click here to learn more about Raising the B.A.R. and sign up for a workshop.
To learn more about our Youth and Parenting programs, click here.
