Reducing the Stresses of Single Parenting

As all single parents are well aware, raising children on your own can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being: It’s often hard to a stay positive. High stress levels abound when parents find themselves as the primary caregivers for their children, especially when their kids are preschool or kindergarten age. Young children can be very difficult to keep up with, but by maintaining control and indulging in some "me time," single parents can stave off the insanity that is so often caused by shrieking kids.

Taking Control, As a Single Parent

Children, especially those between the ages of 3 and 5, should be put on a regular schedule. Single parents are often very busy, and sometimes kids can cue in on the high stress levels that Mom or Dad may be experiencing, but keeping a schedule allows parents to take control of the household. Single parents around the world would agree that there are not enough hours in a day, but a schedule can help optimize the hours they do have. When planning out your family's schedule, keep the following tips in mind so that every day is exciting without being full of surprises.

Single Parents, Make Sure to:

• Keep your kids informed. If children are aware of their schedules they will spend more time looking forward to the next family fun day and less time complaining out of boredom.
• Involve your kids. With preschoolers and kindergarteners it can be tricky to navigate for parents looking to plan out a week's activities. But by utilizing the input of their children, single parents can create a schedule that works for the entire family.
• Indulge in "me time." Single parents know what it is like to be overworked and stressed out. To maintain sanity and keep in peak mental and physical condition, single parents should plan one activity a week that they can indulge in and have all to themselves.
• Stay positive. Focusing on the good in life is what positive parenting is all about, so keep this in mind regarding both children’s behavior and daily events. Single parents certainly can’t waste energy focusing on the negatives things in life.

Single Parents Deserve Breaks!

Many single parents feel a tinge of guilt as they sneak out the front door, leaving their kids with their favorite babysitter. The truth is: having a babysitter for some kids is like a vacation, and kids aged 3 to 5 really should start learning to cope without Mom or Dad around, as school is quickly approaching. "Me time" is crucial to the ability of a single parent to maintain a level of sanity, so go ahead and have a night out with friends. The better you feel, and the more relaxed you are, the better you will be able to take care of your little bundles of joy.