Becoming a single parent after a divorce can seem impossible and overwhelming. Dealing with children of any age can be taxing, and going alone can be daunting. However, many times, children are better off with parents who peacefully co-parent than they are living with parents who are forcing them to stay in an unhappy marriage. If you have decided to divorce, the first thing to do is to re-examine your budget. Figure out what you can outsource to others, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Accept that you’ll need to let some things go, but remember that your children will be just fine. Especially if you focus on prioritizing your mental health, as well as theirs. Hopefully, you can figure out this new single-parent lifestyle quickly.

Becoming a Single Parent After Divorce: How Do I Survive?

Look at the Budget

Becoming a single parent after divorce might mean a big change to your finances. Suddenly, you’re dealing with one income instead of two, plus you might be figuring out things like support payments. Sitting down to re-examine your budget is a great way to get a feel for whether or not you need to make some changes to your lifestyle.

Get Help

Another thing that budgeting can help you figure out is what tasks you can afford to outsource. Becoming a single parent after divorce means that suddenly you are also the sole manager of the household. If you can afford to hire out things like child care, lawn care, laundry, and cleaning, it might help you stay in control of your schedule. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family, especially while you are adjusting to this new lifestyle.

Let Some Things Go

It’s important to remember that you’ll need to let some things go when becoming a single parent after divorce. You can’t be everywhere at once and still stay focused. So try to pick and choose the things that are important to you. For example, maybe you care very much about coaching your child’s basketball team, but you don’t have time to volunteer at school lunches. Or perhaps delegating a task at work to another employee gets you home in time to take your children to a playground in the evening.

Prioritize

Focusing on the really important things should also include self-care. Sacrificing your time will eventually leave you feeling exhausted and at a breaking point. You can’t be the parent that you want to be if your tank is empty. So prioritize some self-care each week and give yourself some grace. Remember that all your children need in life is your love, acceptance, and your support. It’s okay to let some extracurricular activities go if it means giving your best self to your children and focusing on their happiness. Becoming a single parent after divorce can feel daunting, and it is one of the reasons why many couples choose to stay together, even if they are unhappy. However, parenting alone is a transition just like any other, and one that you can get used to if you give yourself some time and patience. Look over your budget now that the divorce is final, and decide if there are tasks that you can afford to hire out to others. If friends or family offer help, take them up on it. And remember that it’s okay to let some things go. Prioritize your happiness and your children’s happiness, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Hopefully, you and your children can adjust quickly to this new change in your life.