Living the Life: Single Parents Make It Happen Single parents have a difficult task ahead of them. It's confusing and scary and wonderful all rolled up together, so it's natural for those who are new at it to have questions. The good news is that there are others who have been there and shared their parenting tips so future generations can benefit from their experiences. Children need their parents, and having only one to look up to puts a lot of stress on the remaining parent. This is sometimes tough for everyone involved, and requires a balanced perspective to handle properly. Finding what motivates you or doing something just for yourself at times can give your outlook a positive jolt and help to balance your outlook on the parenting life. Social contact with people in your own age group can help make the transition through single life. It isn't always possible to schedule nights out without the children being involved, but it can be nice to get out and do other things. Single parent dating can be helpful for those who feel ready to take that step and meet others. It is helpful to find a supportive network to can call upon during a crisis or emergency. Knowing who you can call during these moments is a great comfort, and parents often pull together for this purpose. If there is no one available, consider making the offer to help others out when you have the chance to do so. Children, of course, need quality time with their parents. It isn't always easy to be there, and showing up for family time isn't good enough if you're mentally somewhere else. Children will pick up on the distraction. Find ways to join them in the moment and engage them where they are. Zone out during your alone time if you wish. Family time is for the family. Money is often a frustrating topic to deal with. It's easy to make mistakes with the finances, but the good news is that help is available. Finding out the facts has never been easier, so it's worth doing the research. Explore the options. Find out if single parent benefits are available. The more we know, the easier it is to avoid making mistakes. In the multitude of activities that envelope the life of a single parent, it can be dreadfully easy to neglect one's own well being. But your health is as important as that of your children. Eating well, getting proper sleep, and exercising all contribute toward keeping the body and mind in top shape. Without this, it's harder to maintain a healthy outlook, which is what you'll want to pass along to the children. Keeping everything in a balanced perspective helps to keep the big picture in sight. It is then easier to handle the smaller stuff between here and there. The life of single parents is a hard road at times, but considering the company you get to keep, it's also a sweet journey. Just don't forget to join the kids at the roadside and enjoy the moment now and again.