http://www.onespace.org.uk is part of Parent Know How funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which aims to make sure that parents can get the help and support they need in their parenting role.
The Department of Children, Schools and Families are bringing out a booklet that is due to be published called ‘First year with a New Baby’, which will have expert advice in it and is intended to go into 700,000 bounty bags (a goody bag distributed through maternity wards to new mothers).
Onespace is part of Parent Know How funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which aims to make sure that parents can get the help and support they need in their parenting role.
The Department of Children, Schools and Families are bringing out a booklet that is due to be published called ‘First year with a New Baby’, which will have expert advice in it and is intended to go into 700,000 bounty bags (a goody bag distributed through maternity wards to new mothers).
They are considering the strap line:
Sleeping patterns, social life, disposable income – it all changes when the first baby comes along - and they don’t come with an instruction manual!
What we want to say is ………… They also don’t always come along with the understanding support or care of a significant other either!
We at One Space are putting together a page for 'First year with a New Baby when a single parent' or 'when parenting alone'
We want to hear from you! Do you have any helpful or interesting tips ideas for new mums/new dads entering single parenthood? Get your voice heard and support new single mums and dads.
Thanks Sadietwins
You have given some really useful tips and information, we shall definately forward these on.
I completely agree that routine is essential, as is company of other adults, preferably other mums or dads, so you can share the wonder of babies!!
Anyone got any other ideas or tips of coping with a baby as a single parent, how did you do it? Or how do friends of yours manage? We are often told that we need a break and our partner should share night feeds, changing nappies or help with the washing, cleaning and feeding. But if we found that we are/were left holding the baby, we don't have that luxury.
Sleeping when the baby sleeps is a good idea, there may be washing up in the sink and laundry to be done, but catching up with your sleep will be the most rewarding and beneficial thing not only for you but your baby too.
Keep those tips coming!
Here is what we are submitting, we need to keep it brief, but if you have any more ultra useful tips, please share them here. Many thanks to sadietwins who contributed massively!
There are many reasons that people find themselves raising a child or children alone. You may have been bereaved and in addition to grieving you are facing the daunting prospect of parenting alone.
You may have chosen to end a violent or abusive relationship. (Figures show that women are 3 times more likely to be physically assaulted by their partner during pregnancy).
Here are some tips from One Space:
- Get into a day-to-day routine that supports you and helps you to simplify your life
- Involve yourself in your local community and ask your health visitor about groups in your area you can meet other single parents.
- Believe in yourself and don’t buy in to the ‘stigma’ attached to single parents. It’s just not true.
- Be proud of yourself - you are doing the hardest yet most rewarding job on the planet – being a single parent!
- Join One Space, the social networking site especially for single parents http://www.onespace.org.uk, in addition to lively discussion with other single parents you can get online parenting support and information.
Hey Clover thanks for your response.
That is a great top tip, absolute common sense of course, but i don't think it ever crossed my mind to keep the lights low for night feed :?
GOLD STAR FOR YOU!!!
One of the best things for us was getting out... I used to take them to the park everyday or just go for a walk around the nice big houses on the hill... We are also lucky enough to have a childrens centre and a 1 o'clock club within walking distance (we live on a big estate) and that was my life line when they were very little.... The morning group was great, a cup of tea for about 40p and full of women and children... I also met my first childminder there which was great because I saw her in action everyday.. Then we went to the clock club which was run by 2 great ladies Sarah and Jenny, if I hadn't of gone there I would of been very lonely and very isolated and probably got depressed. We went there every day for years, well, until they were 3 and got their 1st nursery places. We have a Surestart now and I was very involved in the setting up of that as a parent representative, they do some fantastic stuff eveyday for young children, get out there and get involved, find your local childrens centre/Surestart is my advice.