Parenting has its challenges but it is important that parents ensure that their children are nurtured to develop as healthy individuals. At the same, there will need for provisions for promoting the well-being of the parents themselves
For a single parent the challenges may appear to loom larger, since in many cases, one person instead of two has the responsibilities of parenting. Thus this article includes a Scriptures, prayers and simple guidelines to help you raise children who are accepted and loved as you grow.
Scripture Focus: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be terrified; do not discouraged; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Prayer of Commitment
“Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are with me and you give me all I need to meet the challenges that I face in life, including being a single parent. Today, I commit myself to be totally dependent on you for the help I need so I receive your provisions of wisdom, reassures and resources. Thank you Father that I as I enjoy the loving care of your fatherly love. I can pass it on to my children that their lives might be enriched. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
Ask God for Help
Whatever situation you face as a believer, you must have the confidence that God is with you to empower you to effectively do what needs to be done. In the case of Joshua, Moses had died and he was called to take up the mantle of leadership. But Joshua understood the challenges of leading the Israelites, having been Moses’ assistant.
Just as God assured Joshua, he says the same thing to you today as a single parent. He understands the challenges you face and wants you to find your confidence in him. You can draw your strength from your loving father, so start by asking him to give you the wisdom, strength and provisions you need to an effective parent. Then trust in the faithfulness of God every step of the way.
Set Your Priorities
As a single parent you will need to make a special effort to organize the various activities of your life. Begin by setting specific goals for you and your family that are achievable. Proper time management is essential if you are to achieve important personal and family goals. So ask God to guide you as you make plans to achieve your goals.
You will also need to practice good stewardship of your resources. This begins with making a budget, for example on a monthly basis. You will need to carefully decide on the items to include in your budget. While there might be some flexibility for some items, make every effort to stick to the budget you set.
An important ingredient to setting your priorities is the need for you to give leadership and guidance to your family. You will set the tone for the values that are important to your family life and as such you must be a positive role model.
One priority is to train your “child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). So discipline your children consistently, loving and constructively. As you discipline your children, be mindful that “love is patient, love is kind ... it is not easily angered ... it always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13: 4 -7).
Promote Family Relationships
God is a God of relationships, and so Jesus instructed his disciples to remain in him so that their joy may be full and complete (John 15: 11). It is through a relationship with your heavenly Father that your life becomes meaningful and happy. This loving relationship is then transferred into your family relations.
Developing good communication patterns will help you to build healthy family relationships. Begin by taking time to listen to your children and also teaching them to listen to others. Active listening is listening more than to the words of family members but also to the feelings behind their words and their non-verbal messages.
Give your children the reassurance they needed and let them know that they are special and loved by building nurturing home environment. Help them to develop positive self-esteem which will affect all areas of their lives including how they perform at school. Further, spend time and share in activities with your family. You build family bonds as you share interests and activities.
Build a Healthy Support System
As a single parent you cannot do it all alone.You need a caring and trustworthy support system for help and encouragement. With a support network, you can get the help you need on an ongoing basis but also in cases of emergency. But this is also a group where you can build relationships and stimulate feelings of belonging and self-esteem. You can connect to others through the small group ministry in your church where you can build relationships.
Take Care of Yourself
One important consideration for you as a single parent is that of taking care of yourself. It is so easy for to be so focused on taking care of your family and ensuring that family members needs are met, while not paying much attention to your own well-being. So take time to consider your own health, for example, make sure you that you are eating balanced meals and you are getting enough rest.
Pay attention to developing yourself in a holistic way. Consider areas such as your work, for example, you may need to sharpen skills that are important to your job performance. Also, make provisions for your own growth in other areas such as maturing as a Christian. This means spending time meditating on God’s and communicating with him in prayer. As you mature as a believer, and grow in demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit, you are empowered more and more to be the parent you should be (Galatians 5:22).
Declaration of Blessings
Speak God’s blessings over yourself and your children’s lives daily with the declarations below.
“Heavenly Father, I thank you that your divine love and blessing are shining on my family today. My children and I walk confidently in your wisdom, guidance, protection and provision all the days of our lives; you are with us as you were with Joshua.”
For Further Reading:
- Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox (2011). “Six Reasons You Need a Small group.” Retrieved from Pastors.com. Accessed July 2011.
- Biblos (2011). “Joshua 1, New International Version.” Retrieved from Scripturetext.com. Accessed January, 2011. Biblos (2011).
Yvette Stupart - Dr. Yvette Stupart is a Clinical Counselor and motivational speaker whose heart is to encourage and inspire people for successful ...
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