4 Tips For A Happy Life As A Working Single Parent

I know several single parents who navigate every day work and caring for their children without a co-pilot. Ano pa man ang dahilan – annulled, separated, widowed, never married or solo by choice – kapag nag-solo flight ka na sa pagpapalaki ng iyong anak, napakaraming pagsubok at challenges. Kung ganito ang iyong kalagayan, allow me to suggest tips to help you focus on your health and happiness even if you’re flying S.O.L.O.

Tips for working single parents 

Seek out a support group. 

Humingi ng tulong sa ibang tao, tulad ng mga malalapit na kamag-anak at kaibigan. Sa kultura natin, hindi malayong tulungan ka ng iyong mga magulang, kapatid, o kamag-anak. Mahalaga rin ang circle of friends mo. Fellow parents or single parents will understand. Maraming tao ang nasa kalagayang tulad ng sa iyo. Reach out to them and create a circle of support group where you can belong to, especially in church.  

Organize your back-up plans. 

Hindi lahat ng bagay sa buhay ay laging maayos ang takbo. There will be times of emergency or simple concerns here and there in the household. Kailangan may back-up plan parati. Kanino mo ipagagawa ang nasirang lababo? Kanino mo ibibilin ang bata kung magkasakit ang nakasanayan mo nang nagbabantay sa kanya. Kaya mahalagang mag-expand ka ng network of support mo. This is where they will come in handy. 

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Live life with your children. 

Kahit nag-iisa kang magulang, hindi mo kailangang ipagkait sa sarili mo ang kaligayahan. Live your life still. Have fun (in frugal ways) with your kids. Mag-schedule ng activities tuwing weekend. Live life like a normal person who is also a responsible parent.  

Outlast and outlive yourself. 

Prioritize your health. At this point, ang malusog na pangangatawan at mahabang buhay ang mahalagang maibibigay mo sa anak mo at sa sarili mo. So, huwag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo. Huwag magpakapagod nang hindi ma-stress masyado dahil sa overtime o overwork. Magsingit ng exercise sa loob ng isang linggo. Huwag pabayaan ang kalusugan, at iwasan ding magsayang ng pera o panahon sa mga bisyo tulad ng paninigarilyo o pag-inom.  

Remember, you are not living your life for yourself alone. Meron ka nang anak o mga anak na kailangan alalahanin at alagaan. I wrote these tips to make you face the reality and challenges of single parenthood with preparedness and optimism.  

Flying solo? You can be successful at it, working single parent. 

Boris Joaquin is a corporate trainer, executive coach and consultant. He is the founder of Project Purpose Philippines, co-founder of Breakthrough Leadership Management Consultancy which carries Salt and Light Ventures, and is an Investors in People specialist. Boris is married to Michelle Ocampo-Joaquin and has two daughters Ysobel and Julia.  

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