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Do not use your children for emotional support
Children need to have fun, play with their friends and enjoy their youth. Do not become overly possessive of your child or look to them for emotional support. This quite often leads to
child feeling as overwhelmed as you are. Although you may not be ready for another romantic relationship, try to talk to other adults about your emotions.
Kids react best to routine
In order to create a stable household envirnonment with children, their must be rules and routine. Simple things like having dinner at same time each night, bed time, homework time etc... If you can provide a schedule for them, they will feel a sense of security. Of course, correct dosage of attention and affection will also provide and sustain a nuturing environment, but a combination of two will always work best.
Don't forget about you
For single parents with a house full of kids and only one parent to do all work and all worrying, it may be easy to forget about ones self. It is crutial to well-being of your children, that you stay healthy. If you feel run down, ask another parent or relative to mind kids for a night or two. Try to remember things you enjoy doing and dedicate a little bit of your time to do these things. The way a parent feels is quite often reflected in a child. If you are stressed out all time, then this may directly or indirectly affect your child. So, try to stay calm around kids when you can. Take a deep breath, or wait until kids are out of car before you start screaming!
Try to remember that it is all about quality not quantity. There are many two parnet households out their that are doing a much worse job than yourself. Just beacause a parent finds themsleves on their own, doesn't mean that things won't work out. Remember, not just anyone can run a house, raise kids and do a thousand other things all at once. Give yourself a pat on back once in a while. You have a lot to be proud of. Best of luck to you!
Article written by Sarah Mitchell of NamesToBe.com. Article free for reprint as long as this info box is present and all hyperlinks remain active. Baby names and meanings at http://www.namestobe.com Single parenting at http://www.namestobe.com/singleparenting.html
