Single father are one of the fastest growing family demographics in our country today. Being a single parent has its own unique challenges, but whether they have full or partial custody of their children, all fathers have one thing in common.
We want the best for the overall welfare of our children. There are several areas single fathers can focus on to achieve this. Here are 3 ways to raise your child as a single parent or father.
1. Intensely Involve Yourself With Children
We all struggle to find consistent, quality time with our kids. We have to be intentional. As a single father, he spends most of his time with his children to complete household chores and chores. Time with our children is irreplaceable, so we encourage you to seize the moment, big or small, to engage and interact effectively and with your child. Take advantage of these moments, as they pass too quickly.
If financial, legal, or other barriers prevent you from participating in your child’s life, contact community organizations for help. Some problems may be easier to overcome than others, but all are equally valuable for strengthening your relationship with your son or daughter. We also encourage you to find and build friendships with other single fathers. Parenting an only child is difficult and can be very lonely – don’t do it alone.
2. Build a sense of responsibility as a single father
Find time and opportunities to strengthen your partnership with your child’s school or any groups it may be a part of. Get to know the teachers and keep up to date with your child’s grades and school activities. Research confirms this. When fathers are involved in their children’s education (even if they don’t live in the same household), children develop cognitively, academically, socially, and emotionally.
Of course, our children shouldn’t be the only ones still learning. Do you know how important it is for a father to have skin contact with his baby? Do you know the best way to co-parent your child’s mother? And how about improving some life skills? Look for educational resources on topics like cooking, budgeting, men’s health, and job training. It’s never too late (or unimportant) to fix for the good of our family.
3. Have a Commitment to Raising Children
What motivates a man to commit to his children? Along with unconditional love and a sense of responsibility, some of the things that work best include his relationship with the mother of his children, her faith, and her ability to overcome past traumas. These are all topics for in-depth discussion. What position would you put yourself in here, and if asked directly, what do you think is your biggest motivation for staying committed to your children?
Our recommendation is to focus on the first one or two and make it to the top. If co-parenting, do everything you can to keep the lines of communication open with the mother and take the high road if necessary. If you have faith, keep learning and growing within it – it can often help you overcome past wounds such as those from a father or bad relationships.
Most fathers are attached to their children from birth. However, when we are able to participate, be responsible and involved, we are not the only winners. Likewise our children will get a permanent role model in life and imitate us as a father in dealing with
