Help for single parents is a necessity in today's society. In 2000, the US Census Bureau of Household and Family Statistics reported that single parents accounted for 27% of family households with children under 18-years of age. And one out of two children will live in a single parent family at some point during their childhood.
It is noteworthy, therefore, to address the unique family and social needs of divorced and single parents.
Quality Family Time
The daily routine in most broken family households can be hectic. The majority of single parents work outside the home.
Aside from the need to re-establish some sort of normal daily routine to help children regain their footing, a child's social needs and quality family time are also important.
Because one parent now must strive to fill a two parent role at least during weekdays, spare time is precious. Creative ways to enjoy family fun and quality time together are a must.
Having children help with Saturday chores and errands, for instance, can be fun. It can also provide opportunity for positive reinforcement of family unity and working together to accomplish tasks.
The sweet reward of a family picnic, watching a family movie while eating pizza, or another type of family fun is the perfect topper.
Helping the Insecure Child
Split households often affect children negatively; at least in the beginning. One good way to help an insecure child better adjust to the new family structure is to allow them to talk about their feelings.
Getting up early Sunday morning, for instance, and having breakfast together at the table provides an excellent opportunity for family talks. Turn the telephone off to reduce the risk of interruptions; omit television and other distractions. Each family member in turn should be encouraged to share what is on their mind.
Sprinkling praise with correction can help increase a child's self-esteem, which will help them feel less insecure; mix 2 parts praise with 1 part correction. For instance, (praise) "I really like the way you've been keeping your room picked up," (correction) "Could you please try to keep your coat and boots in the closet where they belong," (praise) "Thank you, I really appreciate your help."
Single Parent Social Needs
Despite the fact you have your child's emotional and social needs to take into consideration, you also have your own. Juggling job and family without the help of a spouse can be taxing. By reserving time for yourself each week you reduce the risk of "burn out."
You also benefit your children by being happier and less stressed.
The tips below can help:
1. Accept the fact that there will be times when things are less-than-perfect. As a single parent you cannot "do it all," no matter how hard you try.
2. Don't feel guilty about seeking to fulfill your social needs. It is healthy for you and your children to enjoy alone time, and cultivate friendships outside the family.
3. Allow time for yourself each week; treat yourself to a movie with friends, go out on a date, have your nails done, or enjoy a bubble bath.
4. Benefit from contact with others who understand the challenges of being a single parent first hand. Join a local single parents group; or an online resource that connects single parents, for friendship or dating purposes.
Lastly, single parent dating calls for wisdom. Go slow; avoid persons who would make a poor role model for your children. Avoid introducing a date to your children prematurely. Allow yourself adequate time to get to know the person first.
Respect and honor yourself as a single parent. And above all else, respect your children's feelings; help them to always feel they are an important part of your life.
Family And Social Life
When you quit smoking, you can also increase your confidence, meet new people, and join new activities. An improved social life is just one more reason to quit smoking!
Gain confidence.
Smokers become addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes and tobacco. Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes all emit smoke that holds thousands of other chemicals, in addition to the nicotine. When a person's body becomes addicted to nicotine, the chemical temporarily creates pleasant physical and mental effects, which keeps the smoker coming back time and again.
When you successfully quit smoking, you overcome this physical and mental addiction. Overcoming such a powerful addiction is no easy task. Once you've accomplished it, you'll have more confidence to face other difficult tasks in your life, armed with the knowledge that you have succeeded at one of the most challenging hurdles many people encounter. If you can quit smoking, what is there that you can't accomplish?
Meet others trying to quit.
Hopefully your family and friends will be supportive of your efforts to quit smoking. However, non one can truly empathize with you except someone that is going through the same trials and tribulations. Join an online or local community that offers support to people who are quitting smoking.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers phone counseling at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. WhyQuit offers discussion groups for both first-time quitters and ones that have tried before. WhyQuit focuses on abrupt nicotine cessation (as opposed to smoking cessation with a gradual decrease in nicotine intake).
Many forums are geared toward quitting with the aid of a specific medication. However, forums that are more general include:
American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking? offers modules to walk a quitter through the process and associated message boards.
The Quit Smoking Company's message boards are visually sparse, but offer visitors many opportunities for discussion with others trying to quit.
Quit Smoking Support has been helping smokers quit for over nine years through peer-to-peer support and encouragement.
To meet people in your local area and have a face-to-face discussion on quitting smoking, visit Nicotine Anonymous, Smart Recovery, or check with your insurance and health providers. Get more support for your efforts, and make new friends!
Learn new activities.
Many experts recommend taking up new activities to fill up your time and keep you from thinking about smoking. As your health improves, you can join a local gym, recreational sports league, or take fitness classes.
To keep their hands busy and away from cigarettes, some people take up hobbies like knitting, crocheting, or doing puzzles. What will you do with your new energy and time? The possibilities are endless!
Get out of the house.
When first quitting, smokers are often urged to spend a lot of time in public places where smoking is prohibited, such as libraries, malls, theatres, or museums. Revel in the fact that you can stay inside as long as you like'no need to run outside and satisfy a nicotine craving!
Make a point to meet friends and families for dinner at non-smoking restaurants that you may have avoided in the past. As the amount of time since your last cigarette increases, your sense of taste will improve and you can enjoy the food more.
Enjoy your financial freedom.
A big part of quitting smoking is giving yourself rewards when you reach an important goal, whether it's going a day without smoking or six months. How can you reward yourself?
Tally up all of the money that you would be spending on cigarettes and think of ways to spend it. You can save up for a big trip or larger purchase, or spend it on weekly social activities like dining out, going to the theatre, or taking hobby or fitness classes. Use your extra money to improve your social life and reward yourself for resisting the temptation to buy another pack of cigarettes.
When someone quits smoking, their physical, mental, and emotional well-being all improve dramatically. Quitting smoking can take your social life to new heights since you'll have time and money for new hobbies, and will be able to venture out in public without fear of finding someplace to smoke your next cigarette. Once you've quit smoking, your social life will be on fire!
Both Bonnie Foshee & Freddy Cedano are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bonnie Foshee has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Marriage and Flirting Tips. Bonnie Foshee, Parenting Expert You are missing out if you haven't signed up yet to receive all the free parenting tips and articles. Click here now to sign up to receive your. Bonnie Foshee's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
