| The effects of single parenting can be harsh. One of | | | | the sole cook, cleaner, purchaser, accountant, taxi |
| my favorite sayings is "Life happens". For the single | | | | driver, entertainer, bather, disciplinarian and referee. |
| parent, this ceases to be a simple saying and takes on | | | | And we get no break. There's no one waiting to tag |
| a more rugged and realistic way of life. Single parents | | | | us out of the ring for a rest. |
| don't have the luxury of a second income, assistance | | | | Single parents have to be able to look beyond the |
| with parenting or even someone to afford them a | | | | everyday stress and understand that their children |
| simple fifteen minute breather from having to be "The | | | | have to come first. I used to eat my dinner after my |
| One". | | | | daughter went to bed at night. Why did I do that? |
| But we are. There is no one else there to take the | | | | Because I wanted to be able to have as much time |
| wheel for us. | | | | with her as I could and wanted to be certain I could |
| There are all kinds of studies that will point to poor | | | | keep our usual routines consistently every time she |
| parenting as a result of single parenting. However, I | | | | was with me. Not having to prepare my meal or eat it, |
| believe that how a child acts does not directly | | | | gave me time to play more with her and also gave |
| correlate to how many parents they had in the home. | | | | me time to get her bedtime routine ready (run water, |
| A child will be successful if they get the correct | | | | get out PJ's, etc.) while she ate. Keeping her daily |
| message. The number of parents sending the | | | | experience consistent and safe was my number one |
| messages doesn't play a role. | | | | priority. |
| The reason these studies show a decline in the abilities | | | | There are a lot of effects of single parenting that can |
| of the children in some of these single parent | | | | be difficult to overcome. How your children grow and |
| households, has to do with what the parent is | | | | learn doesn't have to be affected. Put your kids first |
| expected to endure. Single parents have to work full | | | | and get creative with how you approach your time |
| time jobs to provide for their family. They have to be | | | | each day. Your kids will thank you! |