Helping the Single Parent Get Unstuck

Many divorcing single parents seem to get stuck in dealing with finances, in relationships, in the past, in helping their children and in many other ways.

Have you ever thought about how to get those single parents unstuck? I just had a long conversation with a single mom who feels like she is stuck and can’t get unstuck. She has reached out to her church where she is a member. She has reached out to the church where she attended DivorceCare.

One of the Christian women said to her recently,

“I don’t understand why your financial situation hasn’t changed? What’s wrong with you?”

YIKES! This loving woman is married and has never had to make it on her own. My comment was how would this woman ever understand walking in the shoes of a single mom? She can’t nor will she ever until she experiences something similar.

I’ve heard similar comments from other single parents. People have said,

1. Why aren’t you out there dating and trying to find a father or mother for your kids?
2. You are such a nice young man, how come you can’t find another wife?
3. You seem to be tired a lot. Maybe you should go to bed earlier at night.
4. I can’t believe you aren’t going to your son’s soccer games.

The problem with many of the above statements is the lack of empathy in understanding the single parent’s dilemma of parenting alone. Let’s address each of these, and hopefully it will help you understand the life of a single parent.

1. Many single parents simply don’t have time or energy to try and get out there and date. Other single parents are concentrating on raising their children. A spiritually and emotionally healthy single parent knows they can never replace the child’s other parent. Perhaps someday they will find someone to marry and start a new life with but it will be for them, not the child.
2. Statement number two makes a single parent feel like there is something wrong with them. It might be they don’t want another wife at this moment in time. Respect the single parent and encourage them in their singleness. They might be enjoying their singleness.
3. Many single parents would give their right arm to get a good night’s rest.
4. This single parent might have to work on the nights of the soccer game or perhaps the mom and her new boyfriend are always at the game and they just can’t stand to see them together.

Perhaps the issue isn’t getting the single parent unstuck but in understanding the single parent’s life. If the single parent is having financial problems then the solution might be to host classes in budgeting and financing. The solution isn’t giving the parent more things or giving them funds, but helping them obtain a better position. Occasionally a single parent might need assistance with rent or food temporarily until they get on their feet – or they may need assistance with emergency situations.

For the single parent that is exhausted maybe members of the church could help out by taking the children for a weekend. Or, if the single parent can’t attend the soccer games or the school concerts, church family could stand in the gap.

For single parents who really are stuck in the past, then seminars or a support group such as DivorceCare is helpful. Bible study classes or group support groups such as Single & Parenting that teach them how to parent alone will also be helpful.

If this post has helped you better understand the single parent life, share your thoughts with us.

This article is updated and adapted from an article originally published on Divorce Ministry 4 Kids on September 20, 2013.