| Whether you have suddenly found yourself in this new | | | | money paid to your for your work, alimony, child |
| role or are looking forward to soon becoming a single | | | | support (if any) etcetera. Make a list of expenses |
| parent, there are many things you can do to smooth | | | | such as rent, utilities, groceries, clothing, and |
| the road that lies before you. #1 Deal with the | | | | miscellaneous. Consider how much you will have to |
| circumstances surrounding your new status. | | | | pay for childcare. Figure out where you will have to |
| If the situation that led to your becoming a single parent | | | | sacrifice in order to afford your new single-income |
| is less than favorable, you must deal with the negative | | | | lifestyle. If possible, try to have relatives that |
| stuff carefully to minimize the impact on your | | | | don’t work help provide care for your child. |
| child. Try to be very careful about speaking | | | | Some single parents even manage to get themselves |
| negatively in front of your child or children and | | | | and their children invited over to dinner at |
| remember to keep adult matters private. If you are | | | | relatives’ homes once a week or more often. |
| having a tough time dealing with the circumstances | | | | #4 It takes a village
. |
| yourself, try to talk to someone you trust or go to a | | | | As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a |
| professional for some counseling. | | | | child. Note, it doesn’t say, it takes two |
| #2 Look at the situation positively. | | | | parents to raise a child. It is important that you set |
| It is easy to see yourself as stuck with the kids | | | | yourself up with a strong support system for you and |
| and despair in the tragedy of suddenly being a single | | | | your children. You’ll need to surround yourself |
| parent. Be careful not to let yourself fall into this | | | | with friends and family that can help you out as much |
| mindset. Look at single parenting as a good thing. | | | | as possible. Involve your children’s teachers in |
| Think of how much fun you’ll be able to have | | | | their lives by letting them know you are a single parent |
| with your child all to yourself. Make a list of ten good | | | | and that you would like to rely on their child |
| things about being able to raise your child all on your | | | | development expertise. |
| own. Think about how you’ll be able to make | | | | Take your children to church or temple and try to |
| all the decisions concerning the raising of your child | | | | develop new relationships with people that can lend an |
| without having to compromise with another person. | | | | ear, a shoulder, or even a couple of bucks when you |
| Even when things get difficult, stay positive and focus | | | | are running short on groceries and cash. One of the |
| on the rewards. | | | | most positive effects of single parenting is the focus |
| #3 Create your single-income budget. | | | | on community that inevitably occurs. Take |
| Create a new budget based on all income including | | | | advantage of this and enjoy it. |