Single Parenting Stress Tips: How To Beat The Burnout

Single parenting has become an increasingly common status for families nationwide today. Studies have shown that almost 25% of all children in the US under 18 live in a single-parent household.

Single parents often face unique stresses, which can contribute to feelings of exhaustion. Everything from yoga, meditation, social support, faith, and more can help lessen the stress and help single parents live life with less stress, anxiety, depression, and concerns.

Parents are under great stress, and single parents often bear much of that on their own. This only intensifies the feelings of isolation and loneliness. This feeds into stress and worries and can make things much more challenging than they would be otherwise.

And as more single mothers, fathers, grandparents, and other caregivers raise children without a co-parent, the need for specialized support and stress-management service is more vital than ever. Being a caregiver in the age of pandemic parenting has given a whole new meaning to the concept of parenting stress and anxiety.

So, what can you do, as a single parent, to help manage stress? We’ve gathered ten practical tips worth considering when stress levels rise, and busy moms or dads feel like they need a little break:

Tips for Dealing With Single-Parent Stress

Make Quality Time for Yourself Daily

As a parent, that little one or ones in your life takes up much of your time and focus. However, it is important not to neglect to take care of yourself. Setting aside time, even 30 minutes daily, for alone time and self-care can do wonders to manage stress.

Skip the Guilt and Self-Depreciative Talk

Parents, in general, often worry they are not doing enough and are failing the whole parenting thing. This can be even truer for single parents, so it is important to work to avoid negative self-talk consciously. You need to strive to be your cheerleader. This brings us to the next point.

Strive to Keep a Positive Outlook on Life

Times are hard, and keeping a positive attitude cannot be easy. As a simple parent, it can be hard not having a spouse around to share the burden of raising a family. Maintaining a positive outlook can help get you through the more difficult times. Besides, your outlook may shape your little one’s perspective on life too, so positivity is important, especially at their impressionable age.

Don’t Let The Finances Eat You Up                     

As parents, it’s easy to let the budget eat your anxiety up. Managing finances is a pain, but tracking debit orders, updating the budget, and paying bills is important. Once you find your groove, you will never have to worry about the money monster keeping you from much-needed rest at the end of each month. 

Being on top of your finances can also help you identify & eliminate unwanted expenses, such as outdated debit orders and canceling subscriptions to services you no longer need. 

Build and Maintain Your Support System

Even as a single parent, you are still human and need special connections and support from other adults. This could be friends, other family members, and social groups online or in person. Build that support system; don’t be afraid to use it when needed.

Set Boundaries With Others and Yourself

Make sure you know what you can and cannot do, and do not be afraid to say no to more than you can handle. Even with your kids, communicate the stress you’re under & how they can help. Setting boundaries with yourself, friends, and family can help restore balance and reduce stress. Remember that being a parent is a job in itself.

Set Boundaries With Others and Yourself

Make sure you know what you can and cannot do, and do not be afraid to say no to more than you can handle. Even with your kids, communicate the stress you’re under & how they can help. Setting boundaries with yourself, friends, and family can help restore balance and reduce stress. Remember that being a parent is a job in itself.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Little choices you make in life can have a big impact on stress levels. Eating right, being active, and caring for your overall health and well-being can help reduce stress. Single parenting can be hard, but you need to care for yourself, too, if you are to take care of that little one who depends on you.

Create Daily and Nightly Relaxation Routines

Little steps like meditation, yoga, relaxation techniques, journalism, and a good routine can help lower stress levels. Setting up a morning and evening routine can help you better manage stress throughout the day.

Take Time to Take Care of Mental Health

Stress impacts our physical strength and energy but also significantly impacts our mental status and health. Focusing on mental health concerns and seeking help when needed is another important step single parents can take to improve their lives. Taking time to read books on how to be a single parent, such as the Knight In Dark Armor, and listening to others experiences can also go a long way in reducing stress.

Use Interests and Hobbies to Cope

Coping methods for stressful periods in life are different for everyone. Some people find great comfort in friends and family, their faith, or other activities they enjoy. Making time for these factors can make stressful periods easier to manage.

Safely Indulge Yourself When Appropriate

The final thing single parents can do to help take the edge off their stress levels is to safely and occasionally indulge themselves. These can range from guilty foods to occasionally splurging on something you want for yourself! 

After all, if anyone deserves a little reward for a job well done, single parents like us are close to being on top of the list!