Tips on coping with five sources of single-mom stress.
Round of applause for the real superheroes out there: the single parents. When Solange Knowles came on the Tyra Show, she talked about the stresses of being a single parent. It's a task many parents can relate to. But with a few tricks of the super-mom's trade, you can catch a little break on some of the biggest stresses out there.
Financial Woes
With today's gas prices at head-spinning heights, a practical mom might cut back on some of the family's favorite treats. But before canceling the weekend trip to the "good" park -- the one that's twenty miles and half a tank of gas away but has the swirly slide the kids love -- consider cutting back in other areas, like using your microwave more than your kitchen range on weeknights. It's less expensive to run, with the added bonus of quickly cooking up healthy, frozen meals.
Multitasking 101
The single mom's mantra is clearly "two birds, one stone." Tasks like laundry and gardening are time consuming and take away from precious playtime. Try routing your washing machine to drain outside, watering your lawn or garden. This way both your family and yard come out fresh as a daisy and you've only spent time on one chore.
Single-Handedly Combating the Picky Eater
At the end of a long day, the wrath of a child who just will not eat his broccoli at the dinner table can be a little difficult to stomach. But as the fearless ruler of the roost, there is always a plan in your repertoire. Have your kids assist you in the kitchen. The pride they'll feel for helping create what's on their plate will surpass the squeamishness of trying new foods and dinner will be happily served.
Battling the Bad-Weather Blues
Summer is a piece of cake, what with camp and plenty of outdoor fun to occupy kiddos. But when winter break rolls around, activities are limited -- and the cooped-up meltdowns start to occur. Luckily, salvation comes to you in the form of the local library. Most offer reading or arts and crafts classes, not to mention the added bonus of borrowing books and movies rather than buying them. Gotta love free entertainment!
Dining-Out Dilemmas
It's always nice to hit the town and treat the wee ones, but who says it has to be a dinner date? Just opt to eat out at lunch rather than dinner. This way, dining only involves a few kid's meals and an inexpensive lunch deal for yourself. Plus, lunchtime is less crowded in many restaurants, so it won't be as overwhelming and you can make the most of your quality time by actually talking.
