Seven Things Single Parents Must Juggle Successfully

It is fascinating to watch professional jugglers keep multiple plates, bottles or whatever in the air without dropping them. In the same context it is fascinating to watch how a competent single parent is able to successfully juggle all the demands associated with raising two or more children alone and still maintain poise and serenity.

In my view there are seven things that successful single parents have learned to do well:

1.           housekeeping or homemaking

2.           managing children's schedules and obligations,

3.           finding time to pursue personal growth,

4.           maintaining healthy, supportive relationships,

5.           handling work obligations,

6.           finding time for rest and rejuvenation,

7.           and, regularly engaging in fun, enjoyable activities.

To do each of these things requires you to be able to manage your time, set up a schedule, stick to it, and become well disciplined.

Each of the seven things is important and requires serious thought and consideration.

Good housekeeping means keeping each room organized and maintained for the purpose it serves. If a room is to serve multiple purposes, then that must be communicated to the children so that if a part of the kitchen is to be used for doing homework, then after homework is completed, the child has to gather up his books and materials and put them in the area in which they belong.

Managing your children's schedules and obligations are not only important for their well-being and development, but also for you to keep disciplinary issues at a minimum. Children who know what to do and when to do it and get praised for doing so, will pose fewer disciplinary problems.

Finding time to pursue personal growth is essential. It doesn't matter whether it's exercising, reading, taking a class or whatever, the key is that you are looking ahead to the time when you will have an empty nest and your children will not be the center of your life. At that time you may decide to pursue new a new relationship or a new career.

Maintaining healthy, supportive relationships is an essential element for maintaining good mental health. It is important to have a supportive social network whether it includes your relatives, friends or neighbors.

Work obligations can be stressful. If you have a job that is not stressful and you work in a pleasant environment, you should be very thankful. The main thing is to leave the work issues at the workplace. Don't bring them home. Your children need a calm, disciplined parent.

Rest and rejuvenation is important just to be able to maintain good health and do the seven things you need to do. Try to get at least six hours of sound sleep so that you can be alert and focused the next day.

And finally, find time to regularly engage in fun, enjoyable activities. Having fun is a need that is just as important as being free of unhealthy, destructive relationships. Accept being single as a positive and allow time for fun whether it's enjoying something alone or with good friends.



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