Single Parenting and Behavioral Issues - How To Handle It

Being a single parent can be very difficult at times, especially when it comes to behavioral issues. What can you do when things seem to get out of control, including your emotions?

If you are feeling too stressed to deal with your child, put the child in a secure room (one where they won't hurt themselves, depending on age) while you step outside to take a breather.

If you don't have this option, due to weather, or if you live in a large apartment complex where outside would be too far from your child, then put the child in one room and you go to another.

Ideally, it's best if you can go outside, because you are less likely to be in hearing distance of any tantrums they may have, but if you do have to be inside, just tune it out the best you can. You don't have to give in to tantrums or worry about them. Just give yourself some space until you can refocus and deal with things.

Every child is different, but there are a few things you can try to help your child know that you are in control.

1. You can put the child in a "time out". You can make them "sit" in a pre determined area, for X amount of minutes ( 1 minute for each year of age is a good start) with no t.v, games or toys. This is not a time that they can enjoy in any way.
Before giving the time out, remind them that you are the parent, and rules must be followed, or that certain behavior is inappropriate. Tell them that when they break the rules they will have to be punished in this way.

2. Something that I found to work well is "grounding" my daughter to our yard. If she does something very bad and knows I don't approve of it, she stays in our yard the entire day, or a couple of days...depending on how serious her deeds were.

She is not allowed to go to other yards to play with the neighbor kids. If dealing with a very serious issue, I may also not allow any other children to come into our yard either. You can chose how you want to handle your grounding.

3. Offer "rewards" for good behavior. Offer to take them to the park, or to a movie, or something special that you know they will like. This can go a long way towards working with them to control their behavior.
You can even use colored star stickers or other ones, and tell them that each day they behave and follow the rules, that they will get a sticker. Give a reward for having accumulated so many stickers.

Use your imagination, and make it fun. Being a single parent doesn't always have to be stressful.