During National Stress Awareness Day last year, we ran an online poll to find out what stresses single parents out the most.  Here’s your top three along with links to some great tips and resources to help you find solutions to overcome stress and start 2015 on a positive note…

1. Finances
Perhaps unsurprisingly, what worries single parents the most are financial issues and lack of money. Some single parents have recently had a bit of a rough time, what with rises in the cost of living coupled with benefit caps, sanctions etc. The changes in the benefit system from JSA to Universal Credit, for example, and changes to to child maintenance from Child Support to Child Maintenance System are causing many parents to feel anxious.  So, for those who are struggling with the aftermath of Christmas or for enterprising single parents who want to make money in the coming year why not read our article 50 Ways, and More, to Spending Less and Making Money in 2015. You can get the low down on how to save money on your 2015 holidays and yes, dare we say it start preparing your finances for next Christmas.

2. Too much going on/feeling overwhelmed
It’s safe to say that we can all identify with this at the best of times, but this is one area where single parents are particularly badly hit, especially at one of the most stressful times of the year. For a lot of parents it’s quite difficult to step off the ‘treadmill of life’. For single parents with small family support networks and those trying to improve their lives through volunteering, study and work, finding the time to reward ourselves with quality ‘me’ time is a mammoth ask. If you are feeling the pressure you may want to read our articles on How to Relax and be Peaceful and Coping with Stress & Anxiety.

3. Loneliness
After a busy school/work day, the children’s birthday party or at the end of an eventful week; when everyone’s needs have been attended to and you are in the confines of your own four walls, these are the times that can accentuate the realisation that you are very much on your own. Single parents don’t have to be physically on their own to feel lonely – lack of companionship; feeling stigmatised and fear of missing out on what two parent families have can all contribute. For many people, meeting new friends, both online and offline can help.You may find our Making New Friends article useful, and there are several online forums for single parents, such as Mumsnet, DadInfo and The Parent Connection.

However…
all that being said, it doesn’t mean that single parents are stressed out all the time. Being mindful about what stresses us out, finding new interests, changing personal habits and avoiding negative factors/people in our lives can help us find solutions to overcome stress and ultimately help us parent more positively.