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away, sell or throw out what is not
needed. Have a place for every–
thing. Put things away when you're
finished with them and teach your
children to do the same.
for single parents. They are pulled
in a dozen directions, all at: the
same time, with many roles to ful–
fill-homemaker , breadwinner ,
bookkeeper, nurse. By organizing,
you will be more effective in fulfill-
ing all your responsibility.
Build a Close Famlly
If you have not already done so, One of the best ways to offset the
begin to set realistic goals in your handicaps of a single-parent family
life- and teach your children to do is by building closeness and team–
the same. Don' t allow each day to work. Spending time with the chil–
just happen, without experiencing dren is the most essential, though
any progress or growth.
- perhaps the most difficult , task of a
Make a daily list of things you single parent.
need to accomplish and set priori-
Empathize with your children.
ties. But be flexible-never allow The lack of one parent and the sub–
yourself to become obsessed with a sequent feelings of rejection and
schedule that's impossible to com- insecurity can make them crave the
plete. Your schedule is only a guide single· parent's attention more than
to help you be more organized.
they normally would. A strongly
Have a calendar where the activ- united household will enable each
ities of every person in the family family member to give and receive
can be noted. This gives the family the emotional and moral support
direction, goals and struc–
ture.
Create and maintain an
efficient filing system for
Sharing the load
through hardships
can bind the family
together. But realize
that a young child
is not mature
enough to handle
seemingly
insolvable problems.
important papers, letters,
bilis and other documents.
Let the children take an
active part in domestic
duties such as cooking, cleaning or
laundry. This will help them feel
needed and useful and they willlearn
responsibility. In addition, you will
be able to devote more energy to
other areas.
Don't let clutter collect around
the house. Often this happens
because the house is too small to
store all the family belongings. Give
38
needed. When one is down, the
others will be able to provide
strength and encouragement.
It
is imperative for single-parent
families to share regular meals
together. Meal settings provide
security, time for communication
and unity. This is also an ideal time
for sharing tboughts, feelings,
ideas, dreams and concerns.
Be open and honest with your
children and allow tbem the freedom
to be open with you. Let your chil–
dren share with you the things that
interest them, be it science-, home–
making or sports. Guide them to
align their interests with God's law.
Always set an example of care,
concern and thoughtfulness. This
will further build a warm, happy
home for your children, providing
them with needed support.
Try to avert school problems by
taking time to help with your chil–
dren's studies. Also, take a personal
interest in school activities.
Set aside one or two evenings each
week to spend as a family. Plan these
evenings in advance, perhaps includ–
ing a special dessert, so tbat every–
one will be borne. Often' anticipation
is half the fun.
Du'ring the week, when opportu–
nities arise, teach your
children about God, point
out blessings your family
receives or how God has
helped each family mem–
ber that day. The Sabbath
can be ideal for family
Bible study.
Sundays can be spent as
family time. Take a drive
in the country, go on a
hike, spend a few hours at
the beach, visit a museum
or have lunch in a park.
Other Sundays can be
spent working together
around the borne, shop–
ping, preparing for the
next week or simply relax–
ing together. These activi–
ties need not consume the
whole day, only a few
hours of it, so that personal
goals can also be accom–
plished.
Obtain input from your
children on what they
would like' to do,
~nd
·ask
their opinions on sug–
gested activitíes. Try to
ensure that whatever you plan will
be enjoyed by the whole family.
Sharing Worries
A single parent can get very lonely.
There are heavy responsibilities to
be borne and sometimes the pres–
sures will get you down. You need
someone to talk to-someone to
share the burden. Not having a mate,
The
PLAIN TRUTH