Being a single parent is really hard. The parent has to work to let their family survive, but being away from home is a cause for stress. The single parent has to worry about who is going to be there to watch their kids while they are at work? Single parents need consistent reliable friends, people who are willing to put themselves out to be helpful and loving. They need people they can trust who are loyal and also themselves good role models for the kids.
We’ve shared ways to help a single parent before, but wanted to see what you had to say. We asked our Facebook family for some ideas, and the feedback was incredibly insightful. Here are 10 More Things You Can do for a Single Parent that according to you.
1. Treat the single parent with a “day trip” pack.
The pack can contain gift certificates for take out, a movie ticket, a notebook/pen for just recording thoughts as they take a nature walk, anything to help them on a day away. Don’t forget to include a “coupon” entitling them to take advantage of your babysitting services on a day that’s convenient to them so that they can get away for the day.
2. Don’t stop the invites to do activities.
Having very little time equates to saying no a lot or “maybe next time.” It’s very disconcerting to the single parent to feel “dropped” by their friends. Even if they have to turn down the invite, it just feels good to know that someone is thinking about them and still values them as a person.
3. Help fill the gap that a missing parent creates by being a good role model.
Invite the parent and child(ren) to do things with your family so they can see the good example of a two-parent family, and feel part of things they might normally miss out on.
4. Handyman (or woman) for a day.
Pick any day she (or he) will be home and show up with a tool box, cleaning supplies, and a pizza. Most single parents need two main things. Help with ordinary stuff, and a break.
5. Offer to take the children somewhere that the single parent couldn’t afford.
The kids will enjoy themselves, and the parent gets alleviated from feeling guilty because the kids don’t get to do the things that other kids do.
6. Don’t Judge.
Unless you are a single parent yourself, don’t respond to their fatigue over everyday life by saying “I know how you feel.” If you aren’t a single parent you don’t have any idea.
7. Remember the military families.
Military deployments have caused many families to have to function as single parent households even though, technically they are not. If you have a friend whose husband or wife is currently serving our country in the military, treat them to some of the tips in this list.
8. Fill in the Blanks.
Lend a hand with the kids when mom or dad has to be at work. Offer to pick up their child from an activity they may be in. It might even mean buying school pictures, getting a pair of shoes for the child, or possibly going to the school and paying for lunches anonymously. Every little bit helps.
9. OFFER to help.
As much as a single parent might want help, it is so hard to ask for it, especially when you get the sense that people are too busy in their own lives. Come and clean the house one day. Fill up their gas tank. Offer to have single parents over for dinner with your family. Anything you see that they need that they don’t have to ask for will be truly helpful.
10. Be a listening ear.
Many single parents really need a friendly, grown-up ear from time to time. The nature of their singleness often means dealing with ex-spouse relational issues and bouts of loneliness when the kids are with the other parent. Give them an opportunity to vent the stresses and feelings that they keep under the surface for the sake of their children. Let them blow off a little steam and refrain from giving advice and trying to fix things. Just listen.
