All parents face many challenges, especially in this age of technology, when their children are dealing with so many different obstacles than they themselves did: social media, cyberbullying, and new forms of drugs, to name a few. As a single parent, things can become overwhelmingly stressful very easily. It’s hard to perform the duties of both parents alone and try to tackle daily issues–such as work and household chores–at the same time.
Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can make your life a bit easier and retain peace of mind. The key is to think outside the box a little and find your comfort zone wherever you can. Since most boys aren’t pushed to be caregivers from a young age like girls are–for instance, they don’t usually play with dolls made to look like babies–many men can find it difficult to leap into the roles of both mother and father because they aren’t sure about the “right” way to parent. However, there is no one “right” way to be a single dad; it’s all about navigating your way through the ups and downs and doing what makes you–and your child–feel happiest.
Here are a few tips on how to overcome some of the most popular challenges single fathers face.
Feeling overworked
Most parents feel this way at least some of the time, and when you’re doing it all on your own, things can get pretty overwhelming. It’s important to stop, take a breath, and relax now and then, so carve some time out of your schedule to unwind. Choose something you love to do–playing a game of pickup basketball with your friends, catching a movie, being creative–and either book a babysitter or bring your child along and let him or her join in on the fun. Allowing your kiddo to be involved in your downtime will help the two of you bond and you’ll be pushing away the stresses of everyday life at the same time. For some helpful tips on how to de-stress, check out this article.
Feeling stressed or anxious
There’s a lot to think about when you’re a single parent; you might worry about your child’s health, whether they’re doing well in school, and if you’re doing the best job you can do as a parent. These are normal feelings, but when they bring about anxiety and stress, your mental health will suffer. It’s important to learn small ways to face that stress head-on and reduce it no matter where you are, because having effective coping mechanisms handy will allow you to get through even the most challenging times. You can use your new skills to immediately start feeling better, and to prevent the emergence of chronic mental health problems. For a helpful list of ways you can do just that, read on here.
Not being social anymore
Single parenthood is hard in many ways, but one of the most difficult for some to get over is the change it can bring to one’s social life. If you’ve found that you don’t have as much time to spend with friends, you’re not alone; it’s common for many parents to slide into a routine that allows them to spend most of their time and energy on their children, which means friends get pushed to the side. Yet it doesn’t have to be that way. Depending on the age of your child, you might set up a play-date, head to the local bookstore for story-time, or invite a fellow dad to bring his child to the park and meet up for a little while. Let the kids play while you have some grownup time; it will do you a world of good.
Remember that parenting is done best when you’re stress-free and feeling good, so take care of yourself. Exercise daily and eat well-balanced meals, and reduce stress by getting organized, both at home and at work. This will allow you to be the best dad you can be.
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