All too often a lot of single moms feel that they have to be "super mom" and not expect or ask for any help. If you are among the super moms, you run a great risk of parenting burn out. We are all human and we all fall short of "doing it all" at some point. Hey, its tough enough raising kids as a 2-parent family. That goes double for single parents, especially single moms raising 2 or more children.
So, it is OK to ask for help or support when youre trying to raise 2 or more kids? Its not only OK, it is suggested. Remember as a single mom, you have to work hard to bring home the bacon without depending on any child support, whether you are receiving it or not. You never know when that money will run out.
You also have to raise your kids to be compassionate and responsible adults. Thats not an easy task in todays world. For single moms it is quite the challenge. You are responsible for your childs schooling, the clothes they wear, the food they eat, and also the air they breathe. Lets face it, anyway you look at it, thats a tall order for any single mom raising 2 or more kids.
For the moms out there that dont think they are "super mom" and are not reluctant at seeking advice, there are a lot of practical things you can do for support in general, financially or otherwise.
Lets take a look at 6 of those things
* Take good care of yourself - There is so much more to this than one might think. Pay attention to your body and mind. You have to first take care of yourself in order to take care of your kids. Exercise daily. Eat right and drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Get plenty of sleep. Watch your stress levels and try to avoid it at all costs. Smile, try it! It helps relieve stress.
* Join parenting network support groups - These can be in the form of online message boards, support websites, online chat groups, offline support group centers, and your church community.
* Start a parenting journal - This will strictly be for you as a parent and should be kept private. Writing in a journal can be quite therapeutic for some people. You can write about specific goals about parenting, anger management, and even special goals for yourself.
* Consider a roommate - Save a considerable amount of money on living expenses and have companionship at the same time. You will also have someone to swap babysit dates with. Your roommate will watch all the kids for one day, and then you take your turn at it. Beautiful concept if you are all for having a roommate. Some people like living alone and is a preference.
* Always show your love - Of course its crucial to your child that they know you love them. But there are special ways of showing your love. Give plenty of hugs, kids love them! Write a special message on a piece of paper and hide it in their school bag or lunch box. Show positive praise. Positive comments and encouragement goes a long way with your childs self esteem and confidence.
* Discipline - Most often discipline is the most sought after advice for single moms. One important thing I have learned personally is controlling anger. If your child sees you angry while trying to discipline them, this gives them leverage to push your buttons even further. If you dont get a handle on controlling your anger, you are sunk before you even begin.
"Stick to your guns" is also a famous motto you should always practice. If you tell your child one thing and then back out on it, what good is discipline in the first place?
Use your gut instincts with parenting and stay true to what you believe is the right thing for your children.