The challenges of being a single parent and some ways to overcome them
If you’re flying solo as a parent, you’re not alone. In 2021, a full three million single-parent families accounted for 15.4% of families across the UK, and awareness is growing of the challenges that face parents in such a situation. Childcare can feel like a full-time problem to solve, even with two or more parents. So, when you’re on your own, it’s vital to have plans for tackling the big issues.
Paying for childcare
Childcare, across its many aspects, can really add up to being extremely expensive – especially if you only have one person’s salary to cover those costs. It’s not an area on which any parent is prepared to compromise – your children must be looked after, and you can’t always be there to do it yourself. It’s important to have a clear idea of your financial options so that, if you do find yourself struggling to make ends meet, you’ll be able to address it.
Maintaining a work-life balance
Being a single parent feels like enough of a full-time commitment as it is, so juggling it along with work can be a major challenge. This is exacerbated if your job involves long hours or a great deal of travel, especially if you’re returning to the office on a regular basis after the last couple of years. Emergencies at school or at work can upend your plans at a moment’s notice, so it’s a good idea to have plans in place both at home and at the office for such situations.
Make sure to be upfront with HR about your situation so that your colleagues are well equipped to rearrange or cover as needed if you’re ever urgently called away. It’s also worth speaking to neighbours or nearby family members so that you have local contacts in case anything ever happens while you’re out of close range.
Taking time for yourself
As a single parent, you’ll often feel pushed and pulled in every direction but you need to make sure that you’re looking after yourself as well as your children. Not only will it better allow you to enjoy your life, but it will make you a better, healthier parent as well. Be sure to carve out some time to pursue hobbies and meet friends, and don’t be afraid to hire a babysitter or ask a friend or family member to look after your kids for a night, even if you just need to stay in and relax.
Perhaps most importantly of all, make sure that you give yourself enough time for a good night’s sleep, which is essential to physical and mental health. Enforcing clear boundaries about bedtime is good for this, enabling you to get some ‘me time’ after the kids have gone to bed before turning in at a sensible time yourself.