We often hear about the struggles and disadvantages of being a single parent. I’m here to tell you that as a single parent there can be many advantages as well. Let me know if you agree.

• You Make all the Parenting Rules
• No More Petty Arguments
• More Time with Your Kids
• You Make All of the Financial Decisions
• Your Kids Learn More Independence and being a Team Player
• You Don’t Have to Split Your Attention

Single Parents Get to Make all the Parenting Rules

For many single parents this can be a big advantage. In many two parent households the parents disagree on rules for their kids. If that’s the case, you’ll probably find that as a single parent there’s much less stress regarding parenting styles. Setting rules for your child in your home becomes much easier.

If the other parent is still in the picture and has every other weekend and mid-week time with your child, you still may be discussing rules, etc. But at least in your home, you decide what’s best.

Single Parents Enjoy Having an Argument Free Home

If you find yourself as a single parent because of divorce, there was probably arguing, bickering, and negativity in your household before you and your partner split. Maybe the negativity was there for a long time and you just worked around it. If that was your situation you will definitely feel the difference when all of that conflict is no longer in your house.

Of course kids tend to argue with their parents from time to time, but it’s not the same. Anyone who has lived with a partner who was constantly arguing with you about something knows how soul crushing it can be. It can completely suck the life out of you. When your kids argue with you, for the most part it’s a teaching moment. And since you made the house rules you can enforce them.

Single Parents Get to Spend More Time with Their Kids

On the one hand it seems exhausting to be a single parent and have to be the one getting the kids up and ready for school; helping with homework; shuttling to afterschool activities; etc. But think of all of the extra time you have because you now don’t have a partner who is also requiring your time.

I can’t tell you how many times I spent watching a movie or Amazon Prime series that I had NO INTEREST in just to appease my partner. And in their mind that was ‘doing something together’. I also can’t tell you how much of my time was spent having ‘debates’ with my partner that would go on forever if I didn’t just agree.

Until I became a single parent I didn’t fully understand how much time and energy was going to my partner and not to my child.

Single Parents Get More Sleep

Being in a two parent household is great if you are both fundamentally on the same page; and you both put the others’ needs before your own. Sadly this isn’t the case most of the time (based on divorce statistics). But until you become a single parent you don’t realize how having a partner who is not in sync with you messes up your sleep patterns as well.

You may be someone who craves the contact that a partner provides, especially when you sleep. Trust me, finding the right dog to add to your family will do wonders for you. You will sleep better at night; and your new canine family member will give you the unconditional love you need until you are truly ready to find another partner.

Single Parents Manage the Finances Without Interference

There are generally three different money management styles when it comes to family finances.

First, all income is put into a joint account; bills are paid, and personal expenditures are negotiated. For example, if one partner really wants a special set of golf clubs, or an expensive new handbag it’s discussed and agreed upon. This style seems to be the least popular in our current generation. This style can work if both partners are involved in the household finances. But this style is a potential disaster if only one partner oversees all the financial matters.

Second, all income stays separate and partners decide which bills will be paid by each partner. They may split bills down the middle like electric, or WIFI. Then the remainder of ‘their’ money is ‘theirs’ to do whatever they want. This style seems to be most popular in our current generation, but it’s also the style that doesn’t support a lifelong partnership.

Third, this is more of a partnership way of handling finances. Most of a partners income goes into a joint account and a portion of income is kept in a personal account for any personal things they may wish to purchase. This way the bulk of the income can be jointly managed and allotted to expenses, investments, vacations, etc. This is generally the healthiest way to jointly manage household finances.

We’ve come a long way, but still in general men out-earn women. And in general men tend to oversee the family finances. If you have been in an unbalanced financial situation with your partner; becoming a single parent and having sole control of the household finances will be a huge advantage for you.

Money may be tight for you as a single parent, but knowing exactly what’s coming in and where exactly it’s going out is a very satisfying thing if you were kept in the dark previously.

Your Child Will Be a More Independent Team Player

As a single parent it’s necessary to teach your child how to be more independent. Even though you may still want to do everything for your child you don’t have that luxury at crucial times during the day. You may be able to spend more time with your child in the evening but when you both have to be ready to go in the morning, teaching your child to get ready by themselves is crucial. They become more confident in their independence.

You child will also feel more like a team player when you give them opportunities to help around the house or help with the prep work of making dinner.

Single Parents don’t Have to Split Their Attention

In a two parent household there is often a battle as to who will get your attention. Typically it used to be the couple of hours in the evening when everyone was getting home from jobs, school, after school activities. In the last year this battle may go on all day if both partners are working at home and the kids are doing school from home.

Feeling like you’re being pulled in more than one direction can be very draining. But as a single parent half of that guilt goes away. Sure, you may not feel like you’re doing enough for your child. But you’re doing twice as much as you would when your home had a partner who was demanding more of your time than they were pouring back into you.

I know that being a single parent can be difficult, but just remember that there are also advantages to being a single parent.  And if you focus on the positives, things will go much smoother for you and your child.