by Greg of Attentive Family Services, on Fri May 8, 2009 5:16am PDT

Parenting during these challenging economic times can be down right a pain in the
backside.  Our kids start complaining of boredom with typical comments: "I'm bored, how come we don't go anywhere any more?"  Our hearts pound with anxiety and that parental tug of wanting to make our kids happy ensues.  Being a single parent during these times can increase the daily challenges already existing to severe, or stressful crisis states. 

What are some helpful tips to the above challenges?  How can parents meet that balance of economic hardship and maintain happy kids?  Most importantly, how can you return to
feeling successful as a parent, and as a person?  Insights to these challenging dynamics will be provided!

A) Free or cheap ideas to kick out boredom in your kids and yourself:

    1) Board games already on hand, be creative and make your own board game
         with  your children, using supplies around the house.  Garage sales or thrift
         stores also sell these cheap, so you can find new ones to deter hearing "I'm bored with
         that game."  Puzzles can work well too!

    2) Bored of board games?  There's charades, or act out parts in your favorite
        movie or TV show.

    3) The weather is becoming nice!  Get out and enjoy it and get some exercise
         with your kids.  Fun ways of exercising without the term "exercising:"  play
         tag, hide and seek, walk, go to a local school to shoot hoops, play on the
         playground equipment with them, throw the frisbee (cheap too!).         
        Anything that you can dream of that creates fun and movement outside is
         healthy for the body, and also helps decrease stress!

B) Emotional tug-of-war over being a "success" in your children/teens
     eyes:

    1)  Being a success means being there with, and for your children/teens.  
        Being active and playing with them, teaching them daily chores and
         responsibility.  Remember, being a success in your children's
         eyes does not mean giving them, or allowing them to do whatever they
         desire.  The ability to listen and care about what your child or teen says is
         crucial; this however, does not mean you have to agree.  Being a
         successful parent is not defined as being your children's or teens' best
         friend.

     2) Know and re-read the above.  Keep these ingrained in your mind!  Being
          successful means doing what is healthiest and best in building responsible,
          caring and nurturing children and teens.  It is not based on how much
          wealth you have!  Success is not based on how many toys and gadgets
          you buy your children "to keep them off your back and quiet."  A successful
          parent means being actively involved by playing, listening to, and teaching
          your children responsibility.    

     3)  Finding success in your parenting skills involves the above, and also
           locating community resources around to help in obtaining the necessities
           in life: heat, electric, food, shelter, clothing for your children.  Place your
           pride on the side and think of this:  These are necessities and " I will have
           pride in providing these for my children!"  Check your local DHS
           (Department of Human Services) agency for food assistance, or help with
            utility bills, rent, or housing payments if needed.  Also contact local
            churches or salvation army centers that may be able to provide
            assistance. 

C)  Doing something for yourself to de-stress is NOT selfish!

     1) This will teach your children it is okay to care for one's self.  Better yet, it is
          a very wise thing to do!

     2)  As a single parent, it is quite difficult (as you know) to find even 5 or 10