By Margaret Bell
Overview: Set up a support system. All single parents need help. Whether it’s someone to watch the kids while you’re running errands or simply someone to talk to when you feel overwhelmed. While it’s tempting to try to handle everything alone, ask friends and family members for help. Connect with other single parents who share similar challenges or join a support group.
9 Ways to Minimize Stress for Single Parents:
Set up a support system. All single parents need help. Whether it’s someone to watch the kids while you’re running errands or simply someone to talk to when you feel overwhelmed. While it’s tempting to try to handle everything alone, ask friends and family members for help. Connect with other single parents who share similar challenges or join a support group.
Don’t feel guilty. It’s easy for single parents to feel guilty about the time they don’t have or the things they can’t do or provide for their children. But for your own sense of well-being, it’s better to focus on what you do accomplish on a daily basis and on everything you do provide.
Take steps to define your financial goals. Start by making a budget to help you see where all your money is going and where it needs to go. Always be aware of any financial sacrifices that need to be made and be sure to plan ahead.
Schedule time for yourself. Even if it’s something as simple as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or chatting with a friend, setting aside personal time will give you a chance to refuel so that you can feel like you again.
5. Get enough sleep. Turn off the TV, phone, and tablet at night. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night and try to break the habit of late-night electronics. Once you do, you may find that you are a lot more productive during the day and a lot more relaxed with your kids.
6. Prioritize your boundaries. As a single parent, boundaries keep your family’s life stable and constant. Boundaries respect who you are, while making expectations and responsibilities clear to others.
7. Manage conversations with ex-spouses by staying on topic. Do your best to handle conflict calmly and reasonably. Don’t rehash old issues. If you are unable to do this, then come back to the conversation in a few days and try again.
8. Ask for help. Let go of the pressure you’re putting on yourself to do it all on your own. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. Needing help is not a sign of weakness or failure.
9. Learn how to manage your stress. You can’t help your children manage their stress until you can manage yours. Modeling healthy stress management is critical for the health of future generations. There are many things we can do to become more resilient to the stress in our lives, but you have to start with yourself.
Conclusion: Take note of the thoughts and beliefs about yourself and your ex that you are forming. We need to look at a situation with an honest mind, but often when we are grieving and trying to make sense of the loss, we form new beliefs about ourselves that are not helpful to our healing and are likely untrue.
It is helpful to have trusted friends, mentors, family, and spiritual leaders helping you navigate single parenthood without forming negative beliefs about the world, yourself or others. Often, a break up does give us revelation about what we should and should not tolerate in a relationship. These things are helpful for future relationships and how we value ourselves.
Give yourself space and time. You aren’t going to move on over night, and forcing yourself to do so will only cause more harm and create more stress. Change forced on us by ourselves or another person takes time, like a new habit, to form and break. Instead of dreading the time, understand that your future self will thank you for caring for you... and so will your kids.
“It is well with my soul…” H. Spafford from the song “It is well with my Soul”/”Peace like a River”
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes…” Revelation 21:4
As a faith-based counselor serving the Atlanta area, it brings me immense joy to walk alongside individuals who are committed to finishing the race of life well. Regardless of where you find yourself on this journey, know that you are not alone. Your desire for healing is both valid and achievable.
I encourage you to think about the things that hold you back in life. What stops you from showing up as the person you want to be? What hinders you from experiencing your relationships in a fulfilling way? When did you start to feel this way?
Once again, it is never too late to heal. It is NEVER too late for you. And God would never give up on you, so don't give up on yourself!
In conclusion, remember this: Your journey toward healing is a testament to your resilience and the unwavering love of a higher power. Embrace it, embrace yourself, and know that the best is yet to come.
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Other Services Offered at Remain Connected Counseling
Our team knows you may experience other issues in your life. This is why we are happy to offer a variety of services including teen therapy, anxiety treatment, and EMDR therapy. In addition, we also offer life transitions therapy and depression counseling, and more all under a Christian counseling lens. By using online therapy, these services are available to anyone in Georgia. Learn more about our team of dedicated therapists and contact us for more information.