Episode 86 - Understanding Single Parenting Challenges

Welcome Moms and Dads to our weekly podcast! In this episode we dive into Challenges of Single Parenting. This week am joined by Nadine Kuyper, a Mom and a psychologist, together we go through the challenges experienced in single parenting, the strength and joy that comes along . Solo Parenting Nadine shared that no parenting is easy and the most important thing for a single parent to do is to adjust, not to look at themselves as being Mom and Dad, instead acknowledge that you are one person doing so much more. Coping with Single Parenthood Nadine mention that the first thing to do is to leave the guilt out of the door, there are many scenarios, a lot of which we're not in control and as much as you want to play the role of mom and dad, embracing the situation will help you overcome the guilt that comes with the inclination to want to overcompensate. Practical ways to incorporate selfcare In single parenting you may be overwhelmed trying to balance life to an extent that you forget to take care of your self. Nadine highlighted the need of self care and how important it is for a single mom or a single dad . It should be actually be non negotiable, plan on having some Me’ time and write it down on a diary so that you can actually commit to do it on a regular. Managing Finances as Single Parent Nadine mentioned that apart from having emotional load, you also have financial load and therefore it is important to have a financial planner, work with what is available. Sometimes our kids want a lot of things and it’s okay to say no especially if it’s not necessary. We have to look at our financial capacity to manage it well and not be stressful about the financial load. Raising kids after separation After separation/ divorce ‘’How the parents get along, is the single biggest predictor of what those children like their psychological and emotional health is going to look like’’ A very strong point that Nadine put across, Parents should handle co-parenting as a business where they are both committed to bringing up the the child without creating a psychological split, because this child is made up of both of you.