Single Parents Who Work at Home
Helpful Time and Money Management Tips for the Single WAHM or Dad
Jul 25, 2009
Being a single parent is a difficult role that many mothers and fathers find themselves in. If the single parent is the primary care giver and also makes a living from home, a whole new set of elements comes into play. Not only do single work-at-home parents need to practice frugality, but they must also balance their time between children, work, household duties, and playtime.
Create a Solid, Flexible Schedule
One of the primary ways single work at home parents can ensure that their time is balanced is to create a flexible schedule. Create a master plan for how the day would be run under best circumstances. Put everything in the schedule, including activities such as shower time, meal time, working hours, email and phone call answering time, playtime, dinnertime, and errands.
Remember that schedules are meant to serve, not to enslave. Rarely will anyone stick to the schedule 100%, but it can give a sense of security and a plan to work with. Move events around and allow some leeway in the planning. Post the schedule in the living area of the home and refer to it as needed.
Keeping Kids Engaged While Working
Children can have short attention spans and they might require a lot of parental supervision. There are many ways to keep kids engaged in solo activities while parents tend to their business work.
Younger children can be given a special container or tub of activities that are only used during the parent’s work time. Coloring books, block sets, dolls or action figures, and memory cards are good things to have in the tub. Rotating the contents of the container can help prevent boredom.
Older children can have their own schedules to adhere to. Thirty minute planned activities can help a child stay focused, busy, and on track. Things like playing an instrument, creating a specific art project, or working on a school assignment are all solitary tasks that they can complete during the parent’s work time.
Benefit From Free Resources
Finances can be difficult for any single parent. Using many free or inexpensive resources is a wise practice. Some volunteer organizations have weekly or monthly “Moms' Mornings Out.” These free hours are an excellent opportunity for parents to get some work done. Many churches also have free or inexpensive dinners families can attend, which serve as a free social outing, as well as a meal.
There is a plethora of freebies available that single work at home parents can benefit from. Community colleges sometimes offer free haircuts from their cosmetology students. Bread stores sometimes give their day old bread away at the end of the day. Thrift stores have bag sales where parents can obtain many clothes and household goods for pennies. Many sources are out there, if a little time is taken to seek them out. Look in the local paper, bulletin boards, and local organizations for any resources that might be available.
Single work at home parents must diligently make the most of their time, money, and available resources in order to achieve the balance and happiness that they seek. Raising a happy family on one income is a tall order, but definitely achievable with hard work, planning, and a lot of love.
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