How to Live Happily Ever After as a Single Parent

Single parenthood is often seen as being nothing short of disastrous by people who are not single parents. If you are facing single parenthood and it frightens you, calm down - the positives can outweigh the negatives. Being a single parent is truly the hardest job you'll ever love.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Realize that the important part of the phrase "single parent" is the second word. Sure, you may be "single" in the sense of being without a spouse or romantic partner, but you are most definitely not alone and in fact will never be alone again now that you have your child.

2. Celebrate the fact that you are going to be the one who gets to call the shots from now on. You probably have heard married parents lament that they'd love to do such-and-such with their children if only their spouse would agree to it. You'll never have that problem.

3. Scramble to make a living. But do so knowing that you're setting a great example for your child of self-sufficiency and independence.

4. Understand that some of the closest parent-child relationships are those between single parents and their kids. Most children recognize how hard their single parents work to take care of them, and they really do appreciate it.

5. Embrace your "bad girl" side-if you're a single mom. There is still a certain stigma attached to single parenthood, but this can actually be kind of cool with the right attitude. Look at it this way: It certainly spices up an otherwise uneventful life to have that slight hint of naughtiness, and this is one bad reputation you don't even have to work for!

6. Rejoice that you have finally found the love of your life. Romantic relationships frequently go sour, but the love between a parent and child is forever. And now you don't have to share that with anyone.

Tips & Warnings

• If your kids see how happy you are as a single parent, they'll never feel the slightest bit deprived by not having two

[AbbyNormal]

on 2/12/2008 Bravo on this article! I am a single mom from Day 1 and the rewards outweigh everything else.

[virtualibrarian]

on 12/2/2007 I will definitely check it out. Yesterday I saw a preview for a movie about a single mom who just needed the right man to make everything right in her life - please! I already have the perfect man in my life, my 4-year-old son. Anyway, I'll head over to the single parent forum now, thanks for the tip.

[JudyFord]

on 12/2/2007 As a single parent I absolutely agree with your advice about being setting a good example about being happy! You might like my book, Single: The Art of Being Satisfied, Fulfilled and Independent. Please join the single parent discussion in the parenting forums. Lots of folks will benefit from your experience.