Single Parenting

Single parenting means being single and having children. Now while sometimes this can be optional and your personal preference, it's not always the case for everyone else. Being involvede in a relationship and beginning a family can be abruptly altered when one parent decides to leave the relationship. Not only does the remaining parent have to deal with the emotional aspects of losing their partner, they also have to deal with the emotional toll it takes on the child(ren).

The most important issue at hand is forming a new solid bond with your child as a single parent. The absent parent will have to form their own relationship and work to renew the trust with their child. There will be many questions. Be prepared to handle these as responsible and neutral. Don't let your emotions and pain sway your answers. Be honest with your children and don't talk negatively of the absent parent. This can be detrimental later down the road. Keep your door open to form new relationships and gather all the support you can from friends and family.

It's also important to remain on a good standing with the absent parent. This will teach your child that it's ok to talk with one parent and feel safe. If you create a negative atmosphere around the other parent, your child will begin to feel uncomfortable. This cannot lead to anything positive. Include the other parent, if possible, in activities that only affect the children. Keep them involved and let them make their own decisions to attend. If you harp on them to attend events, they will show up with a bad attitude and not devote their attention to your child(ren). If they choose to not participate in the child's life, make sure you explain to the child that it's not their fault. They need to know that the parent is making bad decisions and bad choices. They will begin to notice this on their own as they get older.