| Single parents and teenagers - these two words bring | | | | louder than your words. |
| to mind the most challenging phases of life. I know | | | | Parent Tip: Attend school functions. Find those things |
| because I was raised by a single parent, and not so | | | | you both have to do anyways throughout the week |
| long ago I was a teenager. I remember the life | | | | and do them together. Eat meals together. Go for a |
| challenges my own mother encountered as a single | | | | morning or evening walk together. |
| parent. Here are 5 tips to help you navigate the ever | | | | 4. Teach responsibility |
| changing challenges of being a single parent: | | | | Teenagers are usually begging for parents to give |
| 1. Remember you are still a family | | | | them their independence. One of the best ways to |
| Regardless of the circumstances your family is still a | | | | teach responsibility is to give them chores to do |
| family - even if it does not have two parents. There | | | | around the home. Address chores not as something |
| are many single parent families that are emotionally | | | | you are nagging them to do, but an opportunity for |
| healthy. It is a matter of choice, not luck. They choose | | | | your teenager to show he/she is responsible to handle |
| to make their families emotionally healthy, fun and one | | | | more independence. |
| that is filled with positive memories. | | | | Parent Tip: Start with small responsibilities and then |
| Parent Tip: Think about the ideals that you want your | | | | work into more independence with greater |
| family to be known for, and write them down. Perhaps | | | | responsibilities. For example, you may begin with |
| make a door hanger or craft that contains symbols of | | | | teaching them to do their own laundry before letting |
| these ideals to remind you of them. | | | | them drive your vehicle. |
| 2 Talk with your teen about their feelings | | | | 5. Live within your means. |
| As you may know, your teen may also be | | | | As a counselor, I have often seen where parents incur |
| experiencing feelings of loss. Regardless of the age | | | | a great deal of financial debt in order to "care" for their |
| and circumstances, your child may have feelings of | | | | teenagers. They want them to have the right kind of |
| sadness or anger or just feeling different than their | | | | clothes, have their own cars and other "necessities" |
| peers. Allow your son/daughter to talk to about how | | | | the teenager says they "need." This approach is |
| they are feeling. This will also help the relationship you | | | | lose-lose for everyone. Teenagers are not taught |
| have with them. If you are concerned about your | | | | about proper spending, and the parents' credit card bills |
| teenager's adjustment to the divorce, then I suggest | | | | stack up as does their financial stress. |
| you find a qualified professional counselor to help your | | | | Parent Tip: Educate your child on healthy spending |
| teenager. | | | | habits. If they are of employment age, have them |
| Parent Tip: Look for teachable moments. Those | | | | work to earn money to pay for their own "necessities." |
| special times when you know your teen is really | | | | Likewise, educate yourself on healthy spending habits. |
| listening to you, and is engaged, and take advantage of | | | | Single parenting may not be the ideal parenting |
| it. Teachable moments are a rarity, so seize the | | | | circumstances. However, it can be done right with |
| moment. Fina a qualified professional counselor for | | | | children that are happy, confident, and achievers. Each |
| your teenager to talk with to help adjust to the divorce. | | | | parent can play an essential role in their children's well |
| 3. Stay involved. | | | | being. How about you? Are you struggling being a |
| As best you can, continue to be involved in their lives. | | | | single parent? Take the reigns of being a single parent |
| Show them you are still committed to them despite | | | | to make a difference in the life of your teenager! Do it |
| your stresses. Consistency in your behavior will shout | | | | now before your teenager becomes a young adult. |