Life can sometimes be harsh on you. Without even expecting it or asking for it, you suddenly have the responsibility of raising kids without your wife. You’ve either divorced and got the kids with you, or your beloved is watching you from heaven, unfortunately. Either way, you have to make this work, and you don’t know how. Well, worry not. There are thousands of single dads out there who are fighting the same kind of battle. You can take some inspiration from them, with these small secrets of single dads.
1. They prioritize family
There is no Mum. So Dad has to be Mum and Dad both. In that case, Dad also needs to look after the family the way a mother would. It basically means that you need to focus a little more on your family and kids than other usual dads. Spend a lot of time with your kids, and give them the feeling that you are there with them at all times, come what may. All your life’s plans, goals and agendas need to have your family on priority.
2. They take help
Single dads know that however much they try, they can’t possibly do it all on their own. So they have to be wise enough to take help in whatever form it comes. You might have important things to attend to, and might need someone else to pick up your kids from school, or would want someone to baby-sit them. While it’s important to ensure that you are not leaving your children with someone else all the time, take help in pressing scenarios humbly and gratefully. That helps you survive during the balancing act.
3. They make a plan
Being minus a wife could also mean that you have one less earning member in the family. This means that the responsibility of the kids is now totally on you. From their school and college education to their occasional demands for holidays and other things, you’ve got to fulfill it all. So you must work out a plan on how to earn, save and raise your kids properly.
4. They become their child’s best friend
From attending their school events to listening to their first-crush stories, you’ve got to do it all. If you are strict and authoritative with them, they will start missing their mother even more. So it’s important for you to maintain a nice, friendly atmosphere at home, where your kids don’t feel scared or shy of you. They must be open to you at all times, and should be able to talk freely about their thoughts and opinions.
5. They take time out for themselves
There is a lot of stress that single dads go through. And it’s important that in the process of trying to be a great dad, you don’t forget about yourself. So you’ve to take regular breaks and spend time alone, doing things that you like to do. Leave your kids with a friend or a relative for a weekend, and go holidaying alone. Or fix up a date with that woman you’ve been interested in for quite sometime now. Do things that keep you happy, because only then will that happiness and contentment translate to a peaceful mind leading to good parenting.
It’s tough, yes, to bring up kids all on your own. However much you try, somewhere, they will still miss their mother. But you can at least do the job of raising happy, content kids, and sooner or later, they will realize all that you’re going through. They will love you for all that you do for them, and will be responsible and socially aware people.
