How you being a Single Parent Affects Your Child

There is no stereo type way a child will be affected by growing up in a single parent household. The ways of life of every family will affect the child positively or adversely and it is not necessary that a child of a single parent could be any different. It is not always correct to assume that a child brought up in a single parent’s household is likely to have draw backs in their studies or will be an alcoholic, drug addict or a criminal. Even in a household where both parents stay together and one of them is abusive or is an alcoholic or drug addict the children may be affected adversely.

Being a single parent is not what will affect your child but what you make of it will be what makes the difference. The `saying that you sow what you reap’ is a good explanation to this situation.

Be conscious of the effects it has on your children due to consequences stemming out of your reactions to situations. You can make it or break it. It is for the parent to decide what she wants the child to grow up to be. The parent will have to set the environment for the child to grow up in the way the parent wants. For children who have never known two parents it may be natural to wish that their household would consist of a mother and a father. For children who have had bad experiences with a parent and is no longer living with that parent and is living with the other parent, they may feel a sense of relief that their tension is over. If the intentions and actions of the parent is correct, then the affect the child has will be positive. Remember that every action will have a reaction.

In a single parent home if the mother has set up good values and standards and lives as their role model, the children will automatically grow up according to the values set before them. At the same time if the single parent does not live a exemplary life, the children will naturally have no direction in life and grow up as mushrooms in the wilderness, They may in turn end up as alcoholics and drug addicts, and even become criminals, school drop outs and anti social elements. They will have very low self esteem and will be failures and burden to society.

A reason for this situation is not seen in every single parent household. Everyone understands the challenges faced by single parents who may be dealing with emotional breakdowns and financial problems. If the parent is conscious of the responsibility of bringing forth a child to this world, then it is also the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the child does not go astray. Good parenting skills and love will overcome every barrier and obstacle and will have a positive effect on the child.