Caring for Your Kid's Parent

If you are a single parent, you join this country's 10 million moms or dads who are raising children alone. That's a huge number of folks! But that isn't very comforting or useful when you're the only parent available at 3:00 in the morning to tend to a fussy toddler or worry over a tardy teen. Those situations accentuate what you experience most of your nights and days: you are alone. It is the opinion of many family educators and counselors, that single parents have the toughest job in the world. Parenting with the teamwork of a supportive spouse is a hard job, but doing the work all alone is guaranteed to be stress-filled and absolutely never-ending. There is always so much work to be done. You must work to provide an income - for housing, food, insurance, transportation, etc. And then there's your home and family life: you cook, clean, do laundry and take care of your child's needs for school, sports, friends, and other activities. Where does a single parent find the luxury time to replenish drained energy?

First of all, Mom, change your thinking: it is not a luxury. Having time to recharge yourself is an absolute necessity. It may be useful to know that even Jesus took time away from the busy-ness of preaching, teaching, healing and saving folks. One particular stressful event (and let's face it -Jesus had many) the Bible records he went away by himself, "when Jesus had heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place" (Matthew 14:13). Luke 5 tells us that Jesus withdrew often from his work just to pray! No one knew more about how much work there was to do then Jesus, and yet he also knew the importance of refilling his spirit, resting his body and mind, and renewing his soul.

As single parents you have the most important job of all - raising your kiddos - on your shoulders. You must not jeopardize the success of this job to create a healthy, happy, and God-centered child. And you will run aground if you run out of what you need to do this job. The solution: find a friend to help you with your errands, chores and childcare needs. Every single parent needs at least one adult who can be involved in their life. Ask a parent, a neighbor, a church friend, a pastor, youth minister - someone to partner with you and become part of your team! Join an adult class at your church, or a parenting support group, or a single's ministry to find the adult care you need. And remember: be faithful to your own prayer and Bible study time.

Take care of yourself. You are your kids most important person SO, you are too important to neglect.