Seven Things Single Parents Must Juggle Successfully
It is fascinating to watch professional jugglers keep
multiple plates, bottles or whatever in the air without dropping them. In the
same context it is fascinating to watch how a competent single parent is able
to successfully juggle all the demands associated with raising two or more
children alone and still maintain poise and serenity.
In my view there are seven things
that successful single parents have learned to do well:
- housekeeping or homemaking
- managing children's schedules and obligations,
- finding time to pursue personal growth,
- maintaining healthy, supportive relationships,
- handling work obligations,
- finding time for rest and rejuvenation,
- and, regularly engaging in fun, enjoyable
activities.
To do each of these things
requires you to be able to manage your time, set up a schedule, stick to it,
and become well disciplined.
Each of the seven things is important and requires serious
thought and consideration.
Good housekeeping means keeping each room organized and
maintained for the purpose it serves. If a room is to serve multiple purposes,
then that must be communicated to the children so that if a part of the kitchen
is to be used for doing homework, then after homework is completed, the child has
to gather up his books and materials and put them in the area in which they
belong.
Managing your children's schedules and obligations are not
only important for their well-being and development, but also for you to keep
disciplinary issues at a minimum. Children who know what to do and when to do
it and get praised for doing so, will pose fewer disciplinary problems.
Finding time to pursue personal growth is essential. It
doesn't matter whether it's exercising, reading, taking a class or whatever,
the key is that you are looking ahead to the time when you will have an empty
nest and your children will not be the center of your life. At that time you
may decide to pursue new a new relationship or a new career.
Maintaining healthy, supportive relationships is an
essential element for maintaining good mental health. It is important to have a
supportive social network whether it includes your relatives, friends or
neighbors.
Work obligations can be stressful. If you have a job that is
not stressful and you work in a pleasant environment, you should be very
thankful. The main thing is to leave the work issues at the workplace. Don't
bring them home. Your children need a calm, disciplined parent.
Rest and rejuvenation is important just to be able to
maintain good health and do the seven things you need to do. Try to get at
least six hours of sound sleep so that you can be alert and focused the next
day.
And finally, find time to regularly engage in fun, enjoyable
activities. Having fun is a need that is just as important as being free of
unhealthy, destructive relationships. Accept being single as a positive and
allow time for fun whether it's enjoying something alone or with good friends.