Be a Better Single Parent In Four MORE Easy Ways

by Nicole Humphrey | More from this Blogger

Hopefully you are feeling less guilty and worrying dramatically less than you were before my article yesterday. And you are seeking out help and support and learning to be a better single parent. There isn't a right or wrong way, but there are certainly some ways to help! Here are four more incredibly wonderful ways that you can resolve yourself to be a better single mom or dad!

Patience is a Gift Stress all around, and often you find yourself hollering at the kids for no reason? I know I do! I don't mean to, but when you're doing everything alone it just gets overwhelming from time to time. Practice more patience with the kids. Before you react to anything, try taking deep breaths, thinking more calmly and then respond. Less yelling from you keeps your stress down as well as enables your children to better respond.

Do Yourself a Favor Spend one day each week just doing something for yourself. It can be as simple as taking a bubble bath and reading a book, or creating a scrapbook page layout for your albums (sorry - I am the scrapbooking blogger, to going to get your hair cut and styled or grabbing a coffee with a friend. Just do something for you, with limited responsibility, and enjoy it! We all need a break from time to time and you deserve it!

Laugh More My very favorite thing to do - laugh. Laughing burns calories too, did you know that? A good sense of humor is a must in our lifetime and can help make the stress more manageable. Don't live in darkness and gloom, but open up those windows, get the fresh air flowing and throw your head back and LAUGH!

Choose Your Battles It's important when dealing with children to just let the little stuff go and choose your battles. If the kids are fed, clean and clothes, you've done a great job right there. Add in their education and fun and you've pretty much covered a child's life! Just relax and don't get so upset when a bath is missed or a cupcake is devoured an hour before dinner. It's not the end of the world! And that bowl of ice cream your 4 year old had for breakfast? Yep - again - it will be ok!

Learning to relax and be calmer is probably the easiest way to overcome your stress, worries and feelings of guilt. You ARE a great single parent. Don't forget that, and remember to tell yourself that often! "I love you mommy" is all I need to hear to know that I am!

Learn more about Nicole Humphrey

Nicole Humphrey is a freelance writer, consultant for CTMH and a Sr. Blogger for families.com. She resides in St. Charles, Missouri with Mike and their five children and two furbabies.

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