{"id":5925,"date":"2014-03-06T07:00:51","date_gmt":"2014-03-06T12:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=5925"},"modified":"2014-03-03T17:06:38","modified_gmt":"2014-03-03T22:06:38","slug":"10-ways-to-manage-single-mom-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2014\/03\/10-ways-to-manage-single-mom-stress.html","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Manage Single Mom Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ID-10062150\"<\/a>Ten Ways to Manage Single Mommy Stress:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1) Find another single mom and trade\u00a0out a morning or few hours of kid time so you both get a break. You agree to take her kids for a morning and then she returns the favor. Some communities have a mother\u2019s day out program as well.<\/p>\n

2) Put \u00a0a child who is at least 10 years old in charge\u00a0for \u00a010 minutes. Tell your kids you are going to your bedroom and lock the door. Unless someone is hurt, you are taking a short time out.<\/p>\n

3) Get up 30 minutes before the kids.\u00a0Take the alone time to enjoy a nice shower, read, think, or pray over a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

4) Get the kids to bed by 8:30 p.m.\u00a0Older children can read quietly in their rooms for 30 minutes, but lights out for the younger ones. Start the bedtime routine \u00a0at 7:30, so they are in bed by 8:00 p.m. Then spend time with the older one. This way you\u2019ll have a few hours to yourself at night.<\/p>\n

5) Get the kids to help\u00a0with small chores and picking up. Stay on top of cleaning, meals, and school activities. Just don\u2019t strive for perfection.<\/p>\n

6) Take care of your body by eating well.\u00a0You cannot allow yourself to be run down from lack of sleep or bad eating habits. Remember there is a woman\u2019s body hiding under mom. It needs attention.<\/p>\n

7) View life as a challenge.\u00a0Every stressful event is an opportunity for your family to meet the challenge and solve the problem.<\/p>\n

8) Practice relaxation techniques\u00a0throughout the day. While your sitting at the table feeding kids, do deep breathing, or tense and relax muscles to keep your physical body calm.<\/p>\n

9) Run Bible verses through your head\u00a0and teach them to the kids. Choose ones about God\u2019s provisions and help.<\/p>\n

10) Make sure you have support\u00a0\u2013 people who will pray for you, help you in the time of crisis, and lend a hand once in awhile. Check your church to see if it offers any special helps for single moms. My church has a program called \u201cAdopt a Single Mom.\u201d Start one in your church. Get involved with other moms and share tips and information.<\/p>\n

Above all, keep your relationship with God strong so that you don\u2019t give in to defeat or discouragement. It\u2019s easy to feel overwhelmed when you are one parent doing the job of two. But, He gives you the grace to do it!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ten Ways to Manage Single Mommy Stress: 1) Find another single mom and trade\u00a0out a morning or few hours of kid time so you both get a break. You agree to take her kids for a morning and then she returns the favor. 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