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Single parent? Tips for raising a child alone

The percentage of households in Australia with single parents has reached 10.4% and in 2016 there were 959,000 single-parent families. The interaction with the kids is different for single parents in comparison to the one we can find in dual-parent families. The latter implies both parents decide on the important stuff regarding their children, while in single-parent families the decision is unilateral at first, and as the child grows up, they participate in making decisions with their parents. This makes the childhood of those kids filled with more responsibilities related to the home and also taking care of themselves from an early age. The life of a single parent is also more stressful, not just because they have to accomplish more things since there is no husband or wife to help them, but also because they feel pressured to achieve everything that it takes to be a perfect parent. Let's read through some advice on how to raise a child alone.

Always show your love

Love can be expressed in many ways, not only verbally, although showing love with words is great too and should be done from time to time. Other than saying that you love them, you can express gratitude for having them in your life. Be a good listener and don't think that your kids' childish problems are petty. They matter to them, so be there as support. Don't rely on anger, strictness, or any other negative emotion because they are bad for any relationship. Be authoritative but add understanding, kindness, and listening to your parent-child relationship.

Have a routine with your child

Since you will have more obligations and a tighter schedule, then there must be a good organization of your time and tasks involving the house, work, and spending time with your child. A well-established routine can be very useful because it can make some firm foundations when it comes to organization skills your kid could acquire. Children from single-parent families are usually more prone to misbehaving so this could prevent that. Meals, bedtimes, work time, and some quality time for yourselves should have a more or less established schedule. There can be some flexibility of course like some Netflix time in the evening, but try to always follow the best routine you can.

Find a good child care center

We mentioned how stressful it could be trying to balance between work, house, and raising a kid. It can become frustrating because one person rarely can accomplish everything and be good at everything. Some of these three things might fail and it better not be raising your kid. Everything else can be fixed but this one is crucial. It is fine to admit to yourself and others that you're not perfect and that you could use some help. Get informed about the childcare centers in your area and consult with professionals who can give you valuable advice and some help from time to time. Australia has plenty of options since single parenthood is not a rare phenomenon there. Childcare centers in Sydney can offer you a holistic approach to early learning and encourage your kid to thrive.

Set some boundaries

Some healthy boundaries need to exist. Your child might be too young but they are still an individual persona, so respect them in that manner, without being too permissive, of course. If they don't want to hug someone or they don't like to wear a T-shirt, let them be. There are more important things that are not negotiable, like treating people with respect, doing their chores, and having good results at school. The discipline should be consistent and you should collaborate with other family members and also the caregivers. Lean on other people in your life, because they all somehow participate in this.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself

Between your job, household, and your kid, you might neglect yourself. This is a big mistake and tries to not let that happen. Your child will learn by observing, so the best way to teach them how to take care of themselves is to do it yourself and show it to them by setting an example. A healthy diet both for you and your child, a night of good sleep, and some physical activity are the best you can do for your health. We mentioned the importance of hiring a caregiver from time to time. This is another reason why you deserve this help. You can arrange gatherings with some friends and have an evening out from time to time just to relax and maintain relationships with your friends. You might have a date sometime which is also perfectly normal. Just don't get stuck in the house doing absolutely everything for your kid. First of all, you won't make it all, and second of all, it can be very counterproductive since they won't learn how to take care of themselves.

Give your kid an insight into your feelings

We all thought that our parents had superpowers and could do anything when we were kids. You probably think that your child should lean on you for anything they might need which is good. However, if you’re having a bad time, it is normal to share your thoughts with your child. Avoid constant negativity, but instead say that you’re tired, or in a bad mood at the moment and that you need some rest. Your child should see you as a normal person, who can sometimes have rough times. This can boost their empathy as well. Just don’t be rude or neglectful. This should last for a long time and soon you should be able to resume your daily activities with them.
Raising a child as a single parent is wonderful but at the same time very demanding and challenging. Since you get to be both mom and dad, you get to decide about the majority of the decisions and if you make any mistake, the responsibility is yours. Instead of trying to be perfect, which is impossible, focus on both your and your kid's welfare and ask for help from the caregivers when you need them. Nurture a respectful relationship and enjoy all the quality time with your kid you can get.