Single Parent Strengths

Growing Whole

People tend to malign single parent households calling them "broken homes." And that's a shame. The truth is that just as a nuclear family has its strengths and weaknesses, so do single parent families. The main thing is to cultivate and build the positive dynamics inherent in the family structure--be it a two-parent or a single parent family unit. Also, remember that a family that undergoes divorce benefits from a lessening of conflict, tension, hostility, and stress. It's only common sense that with the loss of such a negative environment, a family can grow whole, no matter how many parents there are in a given household.

Greater Flexibility

Single parents don't need to take into account the schedules and needs of a partner or spouse. That means they have greater flexibility to give undivided time, and more of it, to their children. The parent/child bond is often at a considerable advantage as a result of such a singular focus between the parent and the child.

There is a tendency in single parent homes for children to be more involved in the day to day running of the household. Since a single parent does tend to expect such voluntary cooperation from the kids, they will also involve their children in helping to make major decisions and in problem solving. There is an instinct that including children in these processes make them feel more like partners than servants and helps make their cooperation a more voluntary and pleasant venture, since they feel a part of the bigger picture.

This kind of sharing in the details has a positive effect on self esteem, making kids feel like contributing and valued members of the household. Kids involved in decision making will be liable to follow through on the decisions they have helped to decide. Also, in a single parent home, each child feels needed on a daily basis, since their contributions to the running of the household make them feel necessary.

The parent in a new, single parent home can find him or herself presented with challenges that may require new skills or even a furthering of their education. It's also true that some single parents discover strengths they never knew they had as they take on new and greater responsibilities.

Single parent families can fall back on single parent support groups for the camaraderie, advice, and services networking they provide. Such groups also give single parents a place to share their personal growth or personal woes, as well as a venue for building new relationships.