Single parent? Effective ways of raising happy kids

The fabric of a traditional family has undergone several stages of evolution over the past few decades. Earlier, the term ‘family’ represented the idea of a big household comprising children, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and so on. Though this may still be the case in many households, the basic idea and structure of a family has now been trimmed down to a more nuclear setup, with single-parent families being more prevalent than ever before.

According to an old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” and raising a happy and well-rounded child isn’t an easy job. But what about those who have to undertake this mammoth task single-handedly, with no parenting partner around? Every parent strives to provide the best for their child, but when the responsibility solely rests on the shoulder of one individual, life can throw a new set of curveballs at every turn. With the lack of a tangible support system, raising a child alone can get extremely demanding, stressful, and sometimes even overwhelming, despite the best of intentions.

Yes, the scenario may not be ideal or perfect, and as a solo parent, it might be challenging to tune into your child’s needs at all times while trying to juggle all your responsibilities. Striking a balance between life, work and child-care can be unnerving and emotionally exhausting. That is why it is important to find ways to not only keep yourself strong during stressful moments but also be an inspiring role model for your children.

With a positive attitude and a few effective tips, you can not only make your parenting journey as a single parent easier but also raise joyful and well-rounded children.

Stay positive

At the core of raising a happy child is to stay happy and positive yourself. The challenges faced by a single parent are one too many. From running a household yourself to taking sole responsibility of your child’s welfare can be quite a daunting task. During such times, it is easy to lose your grip on maintaining a positive attitude, especially when things don’t go as planned. For this reason, it is important to practice self-affirmations that encourage you to stay positive and motivated. Talk to yourself kindly and say things like, “I’ve got this” or “I am a good parent.” Also, find the time to do things that bring you joy. It can be reading, exercising, or simply treating yourself to a spa day. Doing the things you love not only keeps you from slipping into negativity but also keeps you relaxed and stress-free.

Encourage your child to be independent

When you are a single parent, it is quite natural to feel overprotective towards your child. But sometimes, this feeling of overprotectiveness can come in the way of your child’s growth and sense of independence. Instead of smothering your child with care, allow them to explore the concept of independence. You can start by entrusting them with simple chores around the house and tidying up their room. When you do this, according to a study, you not only draw a line between being there and doing everything for them but also instil a sense of confidence and self-esteem in your child. When your child understands his responsibilities and takes initiative early on in life, it makes them better equipped to face challenges in the future.

Organise your finances

Raising a child on your own can be a nightmare if you don’t have your finances sorted. If you are a single parent, you might be tempted to pamper your child with gifts as a way of subconsciously filling the presumed void in their life. But this attitude can lead to nowhere in the long run and may make your child take things for granted. Since you are the sole breadwinner of the family, it is important to plan and spend your finances judiciously and cut out all unnecessary expenses. By doing so, you not only enable a secure future for your child but also teach them to be responsible with money.