Family Profile: Succeeding as a Single Parent

What is most challenging for you as a single parent?

Simply being a parent is daunting, but as a single parent, I find it especially challenging to manage my time and energy. It takes time to instill principles and values and still have an opportunity to relax and laugh together. I often have to sacrifice my relaxation time to get household chores done.

How do you maintain good communication with your daughters?

After a divorce, children can feel insecure and angry. I find that when problems arise, eye contact and a calm tone of voice are essential. I wait until we are calm, and then I try to express my concern without making a big issue. I ask for their opinions, listen very carefully, and show that I really value their feelings. I take an interest in their schooling and commend them for what they do. We always eat meals together at the table in a calm and relaxed environment. I also constantly tell them how much I love them.

How do you administer discipline?

Children need definite boundaries, and consistency is essential. I try to be kind but firm. I have to reason with my children and explain why a particular behavior is wrong. I also try to draw them out before disciplining them, to determine why they behaved the way they did. If I am in the wrong​—for example, if I have misunderstood a situation—​I apologize.

How do you teach your children respect for others?

I remind them of what Jesus taught​—to treat others as you would like to be treated. (Luke 6:31) I encourage the girls to sort out their own issues as much as possible, and I teach them the value of responding mildly and kindly when they are upset.

What do you do for relaxation?

We can’t always afford to go away on vacation, so we look in newspapers for inexpensive activities. We go on picnics or take walks to see the plants growing in nurseries. We plant herbs in our garden and have fun selecting our own herbs for cooking. Recreation is important, even if we just spend time at a local park.

What joys and rewards have you experienced?

Living in a single-parent household has been difficult for us, but we have drawn closer to one another, and we have learned to appreciate the blessings we have. I love to see how each child’s personality is developing. At this age they want to spend time with me, and I cherish their company. They are perceptive of my moods and will sometimes just give me a hug to reassure me. Their expressions of love give me great joy. Most important, we have felt the love of a caring Creator who has helped us through many difficult situations. The Bible has given me strength to keep trying to be a good parent.​—Isaiah 41:13.