As a single parent, it’s often difficult keeping everything in your household running smoothly. Taking care of the kids, the house, the bills, while trying to have a tiny bit of a life of your own can be hard. And it’s not easy finding help as a single parent without spending large amounts of money.  One of the greatest challenges of being a single parent is: how do you fit it all in?  For the single parent time management is an essential tool.  It takes planning, dedication and commitment to take control of your time and resources so that you can get everything done when it has to be done. If takes some effort but it is well worth it, and it teaches your kids important life skills.

Being a single parent doesn’t mean you are at a disadvantage.  It’s only a disadvantage if you think of it as one.  In fact, some single parent households are more effective at child rearing and running a smooth house than some two-parent households.  Think of how many families you know where the mom and dad cancel each other out because of their opposite parenting styles. Their kids end up running the show, and running amok.  However, when it comes to things such as running errands, transporting the kids and such you need to understand your time constraints and make adjustments.  Now that you’re a single parent you’re the one responsible for all of it; but you can do it!

Here are some tips for making your single parent household run smoother:

Discipline

Teach your children boundaries and discipline from the time they are old enough to understand. This does not mean being overly strict; it means a lovingly structured environment. Teaching your children rules, responsibility and respect when they are young will make a big difference the older they get.  Many newly single parents become very lax about rules, responsibility and respect because they feel overwhelmed. Or they don’t want to be ‘the bad guy’.  Being a single parent is no excuse for failing to instill discipline in your children.  Children thrive in a structured environment and discipline will help them become well adjusted, productive adults.

Communicate

Talk to your children about rules and boundaries, and why they are important.  Let your kids know that you love them and that you discipline out of love for them.  Be positive.  Communicating a feeling of being overwhelmed or fearful of the future is damaging to children.  Use an adult friend to unload your concerns; and remember to keep communication with your children on age appropriate levels.  Keep the lines of communication open with your children.  This can be hard as your kids become teens, but keep letting them know that you’re there for them.  And keep giving them opportunities to talk and confide in you.

Be Diligent

Once you develop your ‘smooth running house’ plan, stick with it.  If the children are responsible for chores, or checking in with you when they get home from school make sure they are given a consequence if they break a rule.  If you are diligent about maintaining the rules and boundaries of the house, the children will soon master the skill of discipline and you will be on your way to a smooth running single parent household.  The REAL ACCOMPLISHMENT is that you will have well adjusted children who grow into adults that have some great life skills; that you instilled in them.

There are many successful single parent families out there; and your family can be one of them.