While most of us know how difficult and trying it can be as parents; think of working through all of our stuff without someone, partner, to support us through all of it. Single parenting just tends to be a little more trying and difficult than being part of a 2 parent family. Not only do you have to play the roles of both parents, but you’re financially responsible for a set of bills that are usually paid by two incomes.

Here are some of the most common single parent struggles with tips and strategies on how to overcome them.

Illness: When illness strikes in the single parent household, this time can be very trying. Sometimes even more so if it’s the parent who is ill. As a single parent, there is nobody to fall back on so you are able to recuperate. The need to be available to your child or children at all times is ever so present, depending on the age of the family members. A parent struggling with poor health will still feel the need to get on with household matters depending on the age of the children. This down time will also affect the financial income for some time may be taken off.
When the children are sick, it may require the parent to take time off work to care for them, bringing further financial hardship. There is never any reprieve from a sick child and their need to be comforted.

Money challenges: Going from a double income to little or no income can become the most overwhelming issue to overcome. Being responsible for your own monthly payments becomes a big deal indeed. If you find yourself in a dilemma where there never seems to be sufficient funds to make your payments, think of simplifying or even downsizing. Rid yourself of any extra expenses that you may have incurred while you were bringing in two incomes and make life as simple and easy as possible.
Some ideas on how to be more frugal:
Clip coupons
Shop the sales at your local grocery store
Review all of your bills and consolidate services if possible
Shopping Goodwill stores for your household needs
Buy less expensive computers for children

Selecting Safe and Affordable Child Care: Many single parents are at the mercy of the childcare available in their area. We all want the best in childcare and look for but that for our children. Sometimes the best comes with a with a condition; a higher cost. Private daycares are available along with the different childcare centers. Shop and compare charges and services that they have to offer. Ask each one for references and check to see if there are any financial assistance opportunities available like reduced price lunches.

Discussing Life Matters and Gender Issues: Talking to your child about the facts of life may be a little uncomfortable. Especially when our children are the opposite sex and they have a tendency to feel uncomfortable about this life’s subject. A mom may have a hard time teaching her sons about the things a dad would normally cover and a single father may have difficulties talking about female issues with his daughters. If there is an uncomfortable situation that presents itself in this manner, you should enlist the help of a favorite aunt or uncle or a close family friend to act as a “surrogate parent” for your child. It may be easier for your child to open up to this other significant adult and facilitate this whole process and lessen the pressure and tension that may arise.

The World’s Pressure on You: When there’s only one parent in the household, all of the family responsibilities lay on that person’s shoulders. House Chores, cooking, cleaning, yard word, financial concerns and monitoring, being a chauffeur, and every day tasks of being a parent this makes it that there is not much time for you. It’s easy to see that every single parent needs a break every so often. Make sure you take a break to revive yourself and re-energize. Look for a local teenager who could use some extra money, even if it’s just for a few hours. Maybe even drop them off at a family member for a few hours, giving you the option to do what you want not what you need to do.

The Feeling of Being Alone and Lost: Being a single parent have a difficult time relating to people who do not have children and find themselves isolated at one time or another. They find it difficult to associate with singles who cannot comprehend the responsibility that being a single parent brings. If you find yourself feeling a bit lonely and you want to communicate with people who can relate to what you’re going through, look into joining a nearby support group for single parents. Besides just chatting with other adults and exchanging thoughts and ideas, you may meet a new friend and enlarge your social circle.
After the separation occurs, the parents much be aware that there are emotional turmoils that are transpiring within our children. Often these children often blame themselves for the parent leaving. As they are children, they cannot process the situation without emotion.

Schooling: Taking care of the children’s needs at school is another challenge for the single parent, having to be available for school visits, being home in time after school and dealing with any concerns arising for their children during school hours.

Dating and the Introduction: The timing for introduction will vary for each individual. It’s a situation where you need to be aware of the surrounding and how many people you are dating. Introducing your children to each individual that you have dinner with may not be the most appropriate. While it’s never good to hide a growing relationship from your child, watch that they don’t become emotionally involved with someone you’re dating unless you really think the relationship is going somewhere. This may be an appropriate time to plan an outing and see how they “get along” and possibly move the relationship to a deeper level. Remember, your children will be sensitive to anyone who “tries to take their parent away” from them. There will be some explanation as these relationships progress and move forward. Be aware of the feelings and emotions that become involved as time progresses. Sometimes it happens, but try to minimize the revolving door.

If a child has one stable adult in their lives , they will be thrive. It is your responsibility to be THAT person.

Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com

As a Single Mom and taking on a new Career as a Life Coach I never knew how difficult it could be to find out my true self or what it even was! I forgot how much I was wrapped up in my child’s life and just life in general, just making ends meet. So much so that I really didn’t see the real struggle it takes to find out that I was sometimes overwhelmed and forgot who I really was.
So much of our lives are wrapped into our family and the role we have as mother, wife, homemaker, chef, driver, it seems that there is never enough time in a day to get things done. That and let alone thinking about ourselves and our well being. Life is trying and until you have a clearly designated time for everything, you will never achieve full success in any area

I do not feel that I speak for just myself or coming from a position as a life coach, I believe I speak for many women out there who are in similar or have been in similar positions as this.
It takes so much for us, as women, to express and say “hey I can’t do this all on my own”. Yes, we are sometimes portrayed as been invincible and the best caretakers. “Mommy knows best.” But as we teach our children and families to balance their lives, who is there supporting us on our own path?
Have you ever found yourself just laying in bed thinking, “there has to be something better out there for me.”

Life Coaching has supported me in reprogramming my train of thought. Learning to believe in myself and that when you listen to your heart and “your gut” you know that your happiness is at your finger tips. With these simple tools, the balance and structure in your and your family life will come with more ease, less stress and demand. This all makes it for a happier and better place. Life is all about Choices and it’s up to you to make the one that works for you and your family. Finding the light in your life, wherever that may come from, is essential for your personal growth. Finding the right coach to support you in this search is imperative.

The first step in working with my clients is finding their Essence, the words that best describe them from their heart and soul; their being. It’s all about truly believing in the process and knowing what your life purpose it. Trusting you!
Think of this. Coaching is the gateway to your greatness and of endless possibility. What does possibility look like for you? Can you imagine creating a list of goals and actually have them flourish? What have you given yourself the right to dream? Are you where you imagined you’d be this time, this year? What are your greatest dreams?
What IS Holding YOU Back?
Is there a lack of physical or mental Energy?
What is your Life purpose?
Your inability to set clear Goals?
Do you have the ability to make solid Plans?
Is it prioritizing?
Your ability to get and stay Organized?
Is it your Attitude?
OR SIMPLY: Are you afraid of your greatness?
Step into your power, follow your heart and your desires and dreams will follow! Create the life that you want, create what is best for you mom, the foundation of the family life.

This give a whole new meaning to the quote “if Mom isn’t happy, nobody is happy.”

Believe in yourself! Put your trust in YOU and trust in your coach!

Have at least one trusted friend or family member you can call on day or night
These friends or family can also be life savers when you are sick or when there is an emergency. A family member or friend who understands and is there unconditionally and who will be there in your time of need

Be prepared with items in your bag/purse
Gum, granola bars/trail mix, wet-wipes, band-aids, address book, kids book to read, water bottle, cell phone or quarters and your camera. Anything that you can use in time of crisis or if you are delayed in an appointment or have a small emergency

Have a good, reliable babysitter or daycare
Having access to such a person is mandatory for work and for times when you just “need a break”. Trust plays a major role in this area for it’s difficult to find someone who is outside the family environment that you can trust. Take your time and be very choosy when selecting a babysitter

A friend who understands you
Someone who understands who you are and how simple things are going out for coffee and what having grown up conversation means to you. Someone who is willing just to be there and listen and BE with you

Make lists for when you shop
It simplifies things and keeps you organized. It also limits the trips that you have to take to the store when you “forgot” something

Keep an emergency $20 in your wallet
And leave it there. You never know when an emergency will come up that you need that extra couple of dollars

A best friend
Someone who has no strings attached and who is there for the “heavy work”or the work you just need help with
Someone who is there to reflect your thoughts and and fears about life who can give you opinions and advice from a different perspective

A safe and reliable Doctor
A doctor who you can trust and confide in. Someone who understands and can relate to your situation

Save money
Parents often struggle living paycheck to paycheck. But even a limited amount, as low as $10 would be beneficial to your future

Enjoy it
Appreciate every minute of it. Being a parent is not easy.
Treasure this job and treat each day as a gift. A gift that you are a part of your children’s lives