this whole single parent thing is startin to get to me, what should i do when i feel like pullin my hair out?

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean. Depending on how old your kids are I always lock myself in the bathroom and take a nice hot bath.

~Bon

Answer 2

Firstly, be happy that you are having normal feelings, given the situation.
Do you have a support network to help you out? Friends, family, etc? or is this a truly single event? If you have friends and family, then talk to them. Find some other single moms or mothers in general to find the right babysitters, tricks, etc.

Get someone to call when you feel bad. Have regular coffee breaks.

Look for a mother's day out program, and use it. Preschools, babysitters, day care, etc can all do wonders for both of you. Of course, the child has to be old enough.

Do this before you end up getting really mad and take it out on the child.

Childrearing is not meant to be a one person adventure.

Ok, I've assumed that you are dealing with a small child. If you are dealing with a teen or a preteen, then, well, uh, tug away, at least you won't show the gray. :) More seriously, if you are dealing with a teen, you basically have to relearn child rearing to accomodate the fact that they and their needs are changing so much.

Oh, yes. Check your shirt. On the front. If there isn't a big giant S there in sort of a triangle, then making mistakes along the way, feeling overwhelmed, getting tired, and failing to keep the house looking like the town and country cover is ok. Big S's covered in pablum don't count.

Answer 3

my mom just used to lock me in the closet and go drinkin!! (lol just kidding she dont drink)



ps i apologize my mom was a single mom till i was 5 and i love her to death she always did the best she could for me (you have no idea how happy a frozen tonys pizza can make a 4 year old!!) i have a 4 month old son myself now and i couldnt imagine what id do if his mother (or mine when we need a break) wasnt around. If you have family that will wacth your kid then by all means do that and get some time for you, if not (which i asume is the case since im sure youd have thought of the previos already) then check into day cares some will take the child only for a few hours if need be and dont charge much (16/hr round here) for short term it might seem a little expensive at first but isnt 16 bucks worth an hour of sanity?? also you can get care for kids or other programs in your area to help offset costs, plus there are always plenty of teenage girls looking for a first job and a baby sitter need ad in a local paper could land you a wonderful sweet and caring person wholl work for cheap (just make sure you screen them well first) plus youd be doing this person a favor by giving them a job they probobly need. No matter what you decide on I give you the upmost admiration for doing what you are, speaking as a child raised by a single loving parent i can tell your giving the love of two parents in one every day whether you know it or not but i assure you your child does, God Bless

Answer 4

I have two kids 3 and 8 months. I'm a newly single parent, and I stay at home with my kids. I often want to pull my hair out so i just try to laugh so I don't go crazy! You know kids are always doing something you can find humor in. Laughter is the best medicine for me. That and a nice long, hot shower during nap time.

Answer 5

this happens to me a lot. I dont have anyone to help me very much when this happens too. I usually just try to calm my child down and make the situation turn into play time or quite time. However, if i need time from my child i usally have to find someone else to watch her like her father or a friend or her aunt. But sometimes i have to grit my teeth and take the pain even if i feel like breaking and falling apart. I always have to remind myself that this is my child and a part of me and I have to be strong for her and me and that I am her rock and foundation. I always smile inside and remind myself that it is all worth it.

Answer 6

Get involved with other people! Find other single parents, or just other parents in general. When you talk with others, you find out that you are not alone, you aren't the first person to go through this (so others can help), and seeing other people's problems helps you keep perspective on your own.

Answer 7

This happens to me quite often. If you have someone who could watch your shild for maybe 30-minutes to an hour, get out of the house. Go for a run and clear your head. Or take a hot bath and relax. When I can't get away for some alone time I take my daughter outside and she is automatically calm and happy.

Answer 8

I'm going to say it because nobody else has and you need to hear it. It's not appropriate to raise a child by yourself. Every child needs both a mother and a father and you definitely need someone helping you. The cost of not doing so is quite serious and should be obvious to you at this point. The culture is lying to you when it implies that you can and should go it alone.

You NEED a husband chica. The longer you go and the older your children get without one, the harder it will be.

Answer 9

Breathe, breathe, breathe......Then call a friend to rag to.....but, whatever you do, try EXTRA HARD TO STAY CALM FOR THE BABY. Don't take your frustration out on the child. Don't yell at them, don't harm them. It's okay to cry. It's okay to say to the baby ( whatever the age ), " Mommy is feeling a little sad now, but, MOMMY LOVES YOU, NO MATTER WHAT ". Then, try to put the child to sleep, then have your really hard cry and go to sleep too. Tomorrow is another day.

Answer 10

I took my kids to a close friend or relative and had mommy alone time! I know how stressful it can be. If you don't have that option, at least take time out to pamper you! Whatever makes you happy.