Page 30 - Parenting Pamphlets
P. 30
Being a Single Parent Exercise: Setting up Routines
If you’re a single parent, you’re responsible for day-to-day care of your No matter what kind of family you have, you can always create routines that can make life easier.
children. You probably make less money than you would like, or you are What routines do you have in place now, and where do you need to add a few to make your day go
working extra hours. You may be coming home stressed and too tired to give better?
your kids the attention and discipline you would like. You may have trouble
finding good childcare, and much of the money you make goes to pay for it. Routines We Have: Routines to Add:
Here are some things you can do to help yourself and your kids do better as a Example: Example:
family: Kids get a bath before bed Mae needs to call me at work when she gets
Create routines– Have set times for Find good child care– Bedtime story and prayers home. Add 1/2 hour Friday after school where
meals, homework, and bedtime – it makes Sometimes an older we all work together to pick up the house.
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the kids feel more secure and know what to brother or sister (usually age 12 or over) may
expect. be able to watch a younger sibling, but be sure
Let your kids know the rules– What to find other options. Be careful and be sure
For Evaluation Only
chores do you expect them to do? What are you trust the people you have taking care of
their time limits for electronics or TV? Be your children.
consistent with your discipline. Don’t feel guilty about being a single parent–
Show your love– Give praise, hugs, and You don’t need to spoil your kids to make up
support. Set aside some time each day to for not being there or not being able to give
spend with your kids. Keep your sense of them as many things as you want.
humor. You don’t have to do everything yourself–
Take care of yourself– Try to keep a Ask friends, family, and trusted neighbors for
positive attitude, get physical exercise, eat help. Join a group for single parents or use
a healthy diet, and get as much sleep as support from social services.
you can.
Living Together with Kids If your kids get attached to your partner and then you break-up, they can get hurt, just like
Here are some things to keep in mind when you live with a partner without being married: in a divorce. If you tend to move from partner to partner, your kids will struggle.
Why you are living together? Are you looking for someone to be a lover and a Decide how you are going to parent your kids before you move in together. How will you
provider? Do you want to develop a deeper long term relationship? If you and handle conflicts with the kids? How good is your partner with kids? Make sure your kids and
your partner are committed to each other, you’ll work harder to make the kids a your partner have met many times and feel comfortable with each other. Make sure your kids
priority in the family. If you expect your relationship to be short term, your kids know your partner isn’t there to replace their own parent, and they are still a priority to you.
are more likely to have problems with any changes. Kids want your attention, and can get jealous of new people who may be getting more of your
time. Be sure to show them they are still important to you.
