10 Tips to Make Solo Parenting Easier

Whether you are a mother or a father, solo parenting is challenging. You will need to manage everything on your own: your work and an endless list of chores, and there’s no such thing as an off on weekends. Many solo parents end up in this situation as a matter of chance and are seldom prepared for it. Solo parenting is a situation in which the chores you used to do for parenting a child doubles, so this is one of the reasons it may seem tough to many people. But is there a way to sail through solo parenting without it becoming burdensome? Well, yes, there are some effective and practical ways of caring for your baby in solo parenting. In this article, we’ll discuss how to manage things if you become a solo parent.

What Is Solo Parenting?

In general, the definition of solo parenting is almost the same as the definition of a single parent – a person who is bringing up a child or children on their own (1). But unlike single parenting, solo parenting meaning is used under circumstances where one of the parents is absent for a period of time, leaving the other with the responsibility of caring for the children solely. Solo parenting is also a term used under circumstances such as if a relationship has ended and the other partner no longer visits the children.

How Different Is Solo Parenting From Single Parenting?

Although the definitions of single and solo parenting overlap in some places, the experience of each can be different. Here is how (2) (3):

Why Is Parenting Solo So Difficult?

Here are a few reasons people find solo parenting difficult

• The circumstances of being a solo parent to many is not a matter of choice.
• Children are a handful, and if you have more than one, it’s much more difficult.
• Getting some personal or alone time is rare.
• You will have to take up the roles of both parents to raise your children.
• There is no tapping out. You cannot throw your hands up and say you give up and that you need a break.
• You have no backup as there is no second authoritative figure to keep the children in line.
• There are only so many things that you can indulge in. Solo parenting has a sacrificial element to it.
• It often feels lonely, not having your partner to share your frustrations with or having a discussion over the right course of action.
• There is a cultural stigma associated with solo parents as second best or inferior and the creators of social problems.
• Taking up all the responsibility can be exhausting.

Solo Parenting Survival Tips

If you find yourself becoming a solo parent because your partner won’t be around for a while due to unavoidable circumstances, here are ten survival tips that will come in handy:

1. Prepare Yourself Mentally

Managing your household will get harder and tougher if you’re working; therefore, be ready for whatever surprises may be thrown at you. If your patience can only last as long as your partner is scheduled to return, use a calendar to mark a countdown of the number of days. It helps.

2. Plan All Meals Ahead

Have a plan for what you want to prepare for the next meal, write it on a sticky note and paste it on the fridge. It saves plenty of time and frustration from uncertainty.

3. Stock Up While Grocery Shopping

If you can plan for more than two days, that’d be wonderful. You can then stock up on all you’ll need and don’t have to worry about running to the grocery store at the last moment.

4. Choose Your Battles

With one less restraining force, the kids will have more energy and room to release it. This may not be a good time to start a new discipline initiative. Instead of cracking down on them, being gentle and gracious works well to settle them down.

5. Plan a Special Outing Every Week

Be it a visit to the amusement park, a museum or the mall, plan a day off as an outing to break the monotony.

6. Reward Yourself at the End of a Hard Day

If the kids are in bed and the house is tidy enough, you’ve done a great job. Reward yourself with your favourite drink or snack, and settle down for some time of quiet and peace.

7. Don’t Stay Up Too Late

When you’re flying solo, you’re on duty 24/7, so try not to get carried away with your reward time. Sleep early and try to maintain a schedule. You will need all the sleep you can get.

8. Keep Your Expectations Low

You may not be able to keep up with everything you normally do when your partner is around to help. So, you may need to sacrifice some of your routines to ensure you have all the essentials covered. Let go of the rest for a while.

9. Ask for Help

If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek help from family or friends. It’s a great morale booster and gets you through the day.

10. Compromise Cautiously

It’s tempting to stock up on fast and easy foods for convenience or eat out often. But it can turn into a habit-forming pattern and is unhealthy. Therefore, compromise on healthy foods only when you absolutely must.

FAQs

1. How does it feel like to be a solo parent?

A solo parent has full responsibility for a child’s upbringing, which involves 100 per cent financial, mental, and emotional involvement. While this seems tough and challenging for some, it may come quite easy for others; depends on the person, actually. You are the Mom and the Dad to your child and have to provide double of yourself to your kid than what other parents do. By the end of the day, it is all about keeping your determination strong and being proud of who you are and what you do.

2. What are the different kinds of challenges in solo parenting?

Solo parenting has major three kinds of challenges. These are:

• Financial Challenge: Since you are the only parent and the only breadwinner, the financial burden sometimes gets overwhelming. 
• Emotional Toll: Parenting has its own set of ups and downs, right from caring a child during fever to building an emotional bridge with them. In solo parenting, everything has to be done by a single person and not shared by anyone. This may take a toll on a solo parent.
• Time Management: In solo parenting, all the chores, from submitting taxes to picking up kids, have to be done by one person only, along with juggling the job. This may give them less time for themself.

It’s no doubt solo parenting is hard, but being present every moment can help you appreciate the infinite possibilities for the future.

References/Resources:

1. Solo Parenting vs Single Parenting? What’s the difference?; The Gender; https://www.thegender.org/difference-in-solo-parenting-and-single-parenting/#The_Difference_in_Solo_Parenting_vs_Single_Parenting

2. Single parenting; BetterHealth Channel; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/single-parenting

3. Chavda. K, et al.; Single Parenting: Impact on Child’s Development; Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health; https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09731342231179017; August 2023

Also Read: 

Tips to Be a Nurturing Parent
Raising a Child Alone Tips for Single Parents
Common Parenting Issues and Their Solutions
Parenting Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

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