People who single parent are often asked this question, “How do you do it?” Well, let me see. Is there a choice? You just do it. I guess there is a choice logically speaking. You could curl up in a ball and crumble. Run for the hills. Give your children away. Pretend it never happened, sit back, do nothing, and watch your house and kids be taken from you.
You see, really, what choice is there? I suppose that there are people who would do those things, but most people would do what they had to do to take care of their families. I am not saying that single parents do a bang up job, but sometimes even a two-parent family does not do one either. After all, we are all human. What I am saying is that you swallow really hard, take a deep breath, pull out all of your resources, and forge onward. That is the only direction that can be taken as going backwards will only lead to defeat.
Single parenting may be something that you have been forewarned about ahead of time or it might come rather unexpectedly. Whatever the case may be a newly single parent will have to go through, of course, the adjustment period.
The first thing that you must do is think. You must come up with a master plan. You can start with a day-by-day plan initially, as this whole concept will be overwhelming to you, but you will adjust. When this plan has settled in and working even semi well, you can start a more widespread plan that includes not just this week, but the weeks to come, and even years to come. Pull out all of your resources. Find out where you can get additional help financially. Family and friends may offer to help with the kids….let them. You will be exhausted. If they do not offer, ask the ones that you feel closest to. Offer in exchange to help them do things that are difficult for them or enlist the help of your children. There is usually that one family member or good friend who becomes a leaning post for you, your beacon of light either in a physically helpful way or in an emotionally supportive type of way. Lean, but do not lean too hard and wear out your post/beacon. Give them some breathing space lest they will possibly disappear due to overburdening.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel; you just have to go through the darkness first.
Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health.