A Lone Parent, but not Alone

. Sound home management.  Successful single parents strive to be well organized and work hard to coordinate schedules. Proper planning and organization are essential. The Bible says: "The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage." -Proverbs 21:5. 

. Commitment.  Successful single parents make family life one of their first priorities. They focus on putting the needs of their children ahead of their own.  -1 Timothy 5:8. 

. A balanced approach.  Successful single parents neither minimize nor exaggerate problems, they seek solutions.  They accept the difficulties and try to cope with them without self-pity or bitterness.

. Good communication.  Successful single parents foster communication.  They encourage clear and open expression of thoughts and feelings in the family. Says a single father about his children:  "I talk to them at every opportunity. We have 'cozy moments' when we prepare dinner. it is then they really confide in me."

. Caring for oneself.  Despite the demands on their time, successful single parents recognize that their own spiritual, emotional,  and physical needs  is important.  Ethel, a divorced single mother of two, explained:  " I try to save some time for myself.  For example, when a friend gives the children music lessons, that gives me an hour to myself. I sit down and leave the TV off."

. A positive attitude.  Successful single parents maintain a positive outlook toward parenting and life in general. They see positive aspects in stressful situations.  One single mother states:  "I've come to realize that being a single parent in not all negative."

Next time: A Lone Parent, but not Alone -Success Stories 

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