10 Parenting Tips For Single Parents

Being a parent can be tough and being a single parent can be even more difficult. You will need support, time to yourself, and some encouragement. That’s why our experts have put together 10 parenting tips for single parents. Read them to reassure yourself that you’re doing a great job and start to apply any new tips to your life as a single mom or dad.

Most Parents Need Support

Remember that most parents need support. Whether you are a parent, co-parent, or single parent, having children can be hard work. There are many scenarios that can be even more trying and hard to cope with as a single mom or dad.  From navigating difficult conversations in a way that doesn’t make your kids shut down to treating your children with love and tolerance even when you’re upset.  The bottom line is that parenting takes skill, patience, and compassion.  And as a single parent, you’ll find you probably need a little support.

10 Parenting Tips For Single Parents

#1: Practice Optimism

This tip is simple to outline but probably one of the most difficult to practice.  As a single parent, you’re bound to get frustrated every now and then.  However, it’s your responsibility as a parent to react to situations in a way that makes your child feel safe, hopeful and inspired no matter how bad it gets.

Here are some tips to practice optimism:

• Focus on what’s good rather than dwelling on the negative
• See every problem as an opportunity for growth
• Take a breath when you’re upset

If you follow this tip you will surely watch your own children behave in the same way. And don’t you want a child who looks on the bright side than one that is filled with angst and worry?

Read this post: Can divorce be a good thing? It will definitely put things in perspective!

#2: Don’t Blame

Not blaming others (especially your ex) is a great way to parent smarter in 2021.  Blaming your former spouse for life’s misfortunes will not only make the situation worse, but it will make your child feel terrible too.

Make a pact with yourself to take your woes to a therapist or seek support through a friend.  It’s not your little one’s job to listen to your unhappiness.

#3: Get Support

You’ll need support every now and then. So make sure you go and get it.  Reach out for help when you need advice.  Don’t rely on your kids to pick up the pieces for you.

Everyone needs support in one form or another.  Especially when you go through a divorce. It’s a difficult time, you may make some common divorce mistakes too. But it’s ok, as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the next.

Here are some ideas for making sure you’re connected and supported through your single parenting:

• Consider seeing a therapist
• Go to a support group for single parents
• Subscribe to helpful blogs or a website for divorced parents
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help

#4: Get Outside

It might sound silly, but get outside and enjoy the natural environment.  Doing this with your kids is especially rewarding and enriching too. 

Spending time in nature is said to be an antidepressant of sorts.  So get out when you can. We know you’ll appreciate the boost to your mood.

Here are a few ideas to enjoy nature and the outdoors:

• Go to a playground with the kids
• Have a picnic on a beautiful day
• Read a book outdoors
• Take a jog through the park

#5: Take Time For Yourself

It’s important to take time for yourself every now and then.  When you’re a single parent, it’s especially important because not doing so can lead to resentment and frustration.  In addition, if you don’t relax and unwind, you’ll eventually get burnt out.

Here are some ideas for taking time for yourself:

• Go to a spa
• Have a glass of wine with friends or meet them for dinner
• Have a girl’s or guy’s night out
• Buy yourself something nice
• Take a break from your normal routine when you need to

Read this post: 21 crucial tips to stay sane during divorce. We know it will help you through this difficult time!

#6: Join A Gym

Gyms are incredibly affordable nowadays.  Join a gym and experience the benefits of exercise and feeling great.  Going to the gym and exercising will boost your mood naturally.  You’ll also be filled with energy and will feel great and be present for your kids.

#7: Have A Family Night

Even if your family night just includes you and your child, create a special night once a week to do something fun and bond.  Family night could mean playing a game with your kids or baking cookies and watching a move.  Whatever it is, be sure to enjoy it and use the experience to get closer to your kids.

Ideas for a family night with your kids:

• Bake something or cook dinner together
• Have a movie night with popcorn
• Play a fun game

#8: Manage Finances

There are many tools to manage finances and pay child support online as well.  And many of these tools are completely free and easy to use.

Make it a point to manage your finances a little better and offer your child more stability as a parent.  You can learn how to pay child support in this post here if you’re not sure.

Doing your part as a parent and properly managing finances will not only help your kids feel safer in the world but it will teach them important values that are invaluable.

Benefits of managing your finances when you’re a single parent:

• Less stress
• Teaches kids important values and to be responsible
• Kids will have a better life
• You’ll have more options and opportunities financially
• Lifestyle will improve

#9: Use An App For Co-Parenting

One of the things most single parents do nowadays is use an app to help manage their co-parenting duties. Such apps can be helpful for tracking co-parenting expenses, employing shared calendars and messaging systems, sending co-parents bills, and more.

Here are a few of our favorite apps for co-parents:

DComply: DComply is an excellent and very popular app that is great for tracking expenses and keeping everything logged.  You can use it to send and pay bills and the court systems recognize the app as a legitimate way to prove that payments have been made to your co-parent (so long as they are being tracked in the app).

You can download it for free in the App Store here or Google Play here.

Cozi: Cozi is a great app that is especially useful for single parents.  You can create to-do lists, share photos, create shopping lists and so much more.  Keep your life completely organized using Cozi.

Care.com: Care.com is a reliable app that provides childcare and lots of great resources to help make your life as a single parent easier.  Let’s face it. You won’t always be available to look after your child every moment of the day.  There will be times when you need to find reliable childcare or a caregiver to assist you in your parenting duties.  Especially if you’re a single parent.

Care.com makes this possible and more.  Give it a try today and see how easy it is to find trusted child care providers near you.

Read this post: Helpful tips for co-parenting in 2021. We know it’ll help you out big time!

#10: Communicate With Kindness

Our tenth resolution as a single parent goes for the way you communicate with your children and the way you talk to and about your ex in front of your child.  The truth is this.  You will encounter obstacles in your journey as a single mother or father.  But that doesn’t mean you need to have a meltdown, curse people out and make your child upset.

Follow these simple tips for communicating with kindness:

• Take a deep breath when you’re agitated
• Don’t say anything you think you might regret
• Treat everyone with love and kindness
• Hug your children and let them know how much you love them

Practice patience and kindness in all that you do and you will find that your child will do that too.  And what’s better than a respectful and kind child? Nothing.

Read this post: 7 co-parenting mistakes. We’re pretty sure you won’t make them if you read up on them all!

You Can Do It!

These 10 parenting tips for single parents certainly don’t cover it all.  Parenting is a big job, but this will get you started on the right foot in 2021.

With all this in mind, we know you will be amazing. You will teach your kids through your own behavior.  And that’s what parenting is about, isn’t it?

We hope our parenting tips for single parents have been helpful and wish you the best of luck in your journey!