1 - Forgive even if you will never be able to Forget -
Let go of grudges you may hold against your child's other parent, who is absent from BOTH of your lives. Holding onto feelings of anger will not change your situation and will probably consume a great deal of your energy - energy you need to devote to creating a positive environment for your child. If you dwell on your disappointment with and/or dislike of the father or mother of your child - chances are your child will sense your feelings and suffer in some way from your negative attitude.
2 - Make the most of everything you have -
Even if you do not have a lot of money, you do have your child and your love and your time to give to him or her. Try to remember that monetary wealth and material possessions are not the most important items in your child's life. Your love, support and time together mean much more to them. You can have fun for free. Activities like - going for a walk or a bike ride, playing at the park, coloring, painting, singing, or dancing - will thrill your child just as much as spending money to go to an amusement park, an arcade or a toy store.
3 - Be the best parent you can possibly be -
Give as much as you can without setting goals that are unrealistic for one parent to achieve. Don't beat yourself up for what cannot be. Do recognize what you can do to create a good life for your child to the best of your abilities.
4 - Develop a network of reliable resources - Families are not biological.
Surround yourself and your child with friends you know and trust - people who care about both of you. "Aunts" and "Uncles" and even "Grandparents," who are not blood-related can be just as beneficial to your child as actual biological family members. The "family" you create for your child can provide him or her with the same kind of love and support as a traditional family. They can also help you with your responsibilities as a single parent. Let them play an active role in your child's life. Learn to turn to your "family" when you need a break. Nobody should have to go it alone and you will probably be able to be a better parent by relying on your "family" of close friends to support you and your child.
5 - Take responsibility for your life today -
Remember whatever lead you to where you are today, you are responsible for another life - the innocent life of a child, who didn't ask to be born. Your child is not responsible for the experiences or events that made you become a single parent. Your child is completely dependent upon you through no choice of their own. Don't let them down or hold them accountable for your actions (or the actions of their absent parent). They are powerless and vulnerable to the possibly less-than-ideal consequences they face as the child of a single parent. Your role and influence in their life is paramount to their chances of becoming a happy, productive, successful adult. They need you more than their words will ever tell.
6 - Set up daily rituals and regular routines -
Your child needs stability and security. One way to provide this is by developing a daily routine. Simple things like - going to the park every Sunday afternoon, eating dinner together each night, sharing a treat before nap time or reading a book together before bed every night, will become activities that your child looks forward to and can count on to occur with regularity.
7 - Be consistent and dependable -
Create realistic rules and a standard of discipline that you stick to all the time. If you're consistent with your child, he or she will learn what is acceptable behavior and what is not. They will also learn what you expect from them and what they can expect from you. If you're dependable, they will know that they can always count on you to help them with their homework, be there for dinner or tuck them in bed at night. They have to be able to depend on you. You're the most important person in their life. Try to remember that no matter how tired you are at the end of the day or how frustrated you may become when they're fussy - They need you to be there for them. You should cherish every moment with your child - they are the best blessings on earth.
Resource Box - ? Danielle Hollister (2004) Danielle Hollister is the Quotations Editor at BellaOnline and Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThere may really be a real monster under your kid???s... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
Is it possible to be using our children addictively?Anything that... Read More
Thank you for all that you do in the classroom!... Read More
Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More
People always ask my wife and I: "How did you... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
A study done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found... Read More
Vacations and trips are great family events, but how do... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Here is a list of ways to convey the message... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent or teacher more... Read More
Are you glad for the chance to put your child... Read More
Parental example, whether for good or for bad, is undoubtedly... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Here's the scene of communication with your child: your three-year-old... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
Little Suzy has really been having a hard time getting... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
Who Can Register A Birth? The child's mother... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
Every parent wants their child to develop positive character traits.... Read More
Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More
Child care costs are are one of the most expensive... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
One of the most powerful tools that parents have for... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Do you have a high maintenance child?"Thank goodness my second... Read More
It's been raining for a week and the kids and... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More
"I could have helped you if I would have known,... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
For any of you Moms out there that are doing... Read More
Parenting |