Coping Strategies for Single Mums

Mums Tips

Parenting Skills

Published on Tuesday, 12 November 2019 09:30

Last Updated on 11 November 2019

Monica Costa

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Raising children can be extremely demanding, but it’s good to remember that you’re not alone. In the current day and age, there are more single-parent families than ever before. Knowing how to manage on a day-to-day basis can be a real challenge when it comes to bringing up a happy and healthy child and also finding enough hours in the day to get on with your own tasks. The goods news is that there are ways you can take control of your situation.

If you have recently become a single mum, below you will find some some helpful tips for reducing the stresses of single parenting:

Set up a support system

All single parents need help on the odd occasion, so don’t feel as though you’re a failure if you need some back-up from time to time. Whether you need someone to look after the kids while you go to work or simply someone to talk to when you’re feeling a little swamped, it’s important you build a small support system around you to give you that much-needed boost.

You may go as far as to have a few professional service numbers on speed dial to help you out when things go wrong, whether that be car breakdown recovery by Motors Recovery or a variety of tradesmen to fix your household amenities.

Get to know others in the same position as you by joining a single parent support group. The bottom line is that you can make your life easier if you have a solid support network to get you by.

Cut out the guilt

It’s easy for single parents to feel an overwhelming sense of guilt when it comes to parenting alone, but you should aim to push this feeling aside. Single mums often feel they are unable to do enough for their children when there’s a parental figure lacking. If you’re going through a divorce, it may be a good idea to seek therapy to help clarify your thoughts and force you to focus on the positive accomplishments that you’re responsible for, rather than the negatives.

Take time for yourself

Being a single parent can really take its toll both mentally and physically, so make sure you take some time out for yourself every once in a while. Even if it’s as simple as a walk around the neighbourhood to clear your head, reading a book or grabbing a coffee with a friend, everyone deserves the chance to have a break from their stresses to recharge.

Set boundaries

Raising kids alone means there is no-one beside you to provide backup when the kids aren’t playing ball. It can be easy for them to take advantage if you don’t establish ground rules that reaffirm who’s in charge early on.

It would be a good idea to set between three to five house rules they should always follow and to develop a stern tone of voice for successful parent-child interaction. Finally, always be sure to give praise where it’s due as a method of encouraging good behaviour.