Single parenting comes with its own challenges. At times, it becomes difficult for a single parent to make both ends meet due to lack of financial support. Apart from financial constraints, it becomes an impediment physically and emotionally as well. It demands intense commitment and patience on the part of the single parent. Juggling work and home often becomes a major issue when there is lack of time to spend with the child. This means less involvement in the overall development of the child which include education, extracurricular activities, mental and emotional development.
Absence of a dad
A child often expects or looks forward for a father in a single mom. This aspect can be overwhelming for a single mom to fill the absence of a father at home. In a world full of fears and apprehensions, it is vital to inculcate or inject a dad’s approach in parenting a child, which is especially true in the case of single moms. To raise a self-confident, happy and independent child single mom should also imbibe few values that a dad would normally inculcate in his kid(s). Even though men and women have different parenting styles, each style has its own pros and cons. The kids should get equal measure of each parenting style that helps turn out to be a better individual.
Parent like a dad
1. Do not be paranoid:
Often, dads are adventurous and risk takers. They do not worry about the kid catching a viral infection if he or she plays out in the rain or snow. This helps the kids to savor the present without much fretting and frowning. Encourage the kid to take risks and do things without self-doubting. It helps to boost the self confidence and lets the kid to extraordinary things. The kid should be able to explore the world and should not fear taking chances.
2. Bond physically
Even though single moms often hug and cuddle to bond with the kids, dads enjoy playing the rough-tough games with the child that promotes physical play. Enjoy wrestling, any form of sports, kickball, Frisbee and other such fun games. Moms often worry that the kids might get hurt in such physical games. Such games help bonding with the child and make them sturdier and active. Studies indicate that such rough sports or games make children to be more compassionate and sensitive.
3. Independence
Be it a science project, a kite, bicycling or skating, Dads often urge their kids to go out and do things on their own. Let them explore the world on their own even if they have to commit mistakes. This makes the child to let go of any fear in trying out anything new, which directly boosts their self esteem and confidence. Even if it is scary, encourage them to try and explore the fun of doing things by themselves.
4. Set ground rules
Disciplining a child is one of the essential aspects of parenting. Setting rules, especially in the formative years is required to discipline a child. Moms often take a soft stance when a rule is broken. Dads often set a rule and the consequence he/she would face if the rule is defied. And they often mean every word for which there is no comeback. This helps the children to understand authority and makes them respect the rules as well as the single parent.
5. Be carefree
Moms spend time to plan and organize everything for the perfect vacation or an outing. However, Dads simply leave the house with the kid without planning for emergencies or backups. They simply go out and have fun the entire day without worrying too much about a late lunch or a leaky diaper. This helps the child to enjoy life spontaneously and helps to develop a cool and cheery attitude towards life and its challenges.
6. Guiltless parenting
Dads feel that they need not be perfect in bringing up a child. They simply are fully involved in the fun of parenting. In contrast, moms feel that they owe their children a perfect childhood and hold themselves responsible, if things go wrong. Feeling guilty often undermines the confidence of the mom which ruins the fun of parenting. Bringing up a child without feeling guilty makes the child and the parent feel light and happy with the current circumstances or situations.
7. Do not be over protective
Moms hate to see her kid being embarrassed, humiliated, sad or hurt. She wants her child to smile and feel good. Dads often let kids to face such uncomfortable situations and seem them as opportunities to grow. It helps the kids to deal with worldly situations with more gusto.
