No one sets out preparing for single-parenthood, but it can happen. If you are going through your divorce, preparation is the best method of defense – so that you are not caught off-guard when you are suddenly on your own. Whether you have one child or five, preparing yourself to become a single parent is one of the critical steps that you need to take during your divorce proceeding.

Most importantly, get a lot of support before and during the process. The more support you have, the easier the transition will be.

Find Ways to Make Up for the Loss of Income

You may have relied on your spouse financially to help support you and your children. Now is the time to stop focusing on the missing financial contribution, and see how you can fill in the gap. While you may qualify for child support or even spousal support, you should never rely on these. Instead, look for other ways to earn supplemental income. You can also seek new opportunities with other parents for things like child care, carpooling and even laundry, so that you can all save money together. If you cannot afford to live on your own, look into living with friends and family until you can get back on your feet again. If you were a stay-at-home mom, now is the time to start revamping your career, getting your resume in order, and interviewing for potential jobs.

Do Not Forget to Meet Your Child’s Needs

When it comes to divorce and custody, your needs do not matter. Instead, it is always about what is best for your child. Therefore, make sure that you are meeting your child’s needs even if you are working now as a single parent. Some things that you can do include:

  • 1. Having one-on-one time with your child a few times per week.
  • 2. Sitting down and eating meals together – use that as an opportunity to connect.
  • 3. Getting connected with school and other support groups, as well as taking parenting classes.
  • 4. Taking time to do activities that you know your child loves – such as going for walks, taking trips to the park, or even visiting a local museum from time-to-time.

Do Not Forget to Take Time for Yourself

As a single parent, you will find that you do not have as much “free time” as you used to. It is important that you not only meet your child’s needs, but make sure that you have time for yourself, as well. Take turns with other parents to babysit each other’s children – so that you can do things like grocery shop or even just take an hour to yourself.

Create a Great Living Environment

It is important that you and your child have a stable home. You can look for opportunities to live with relatives, or even find inexpensive apartments while you transition elsewhere. Your attorney may be able to negotiate with your ex so that you keep the family home until the children are older and you can easily move elsewhere, too.

Explore Your Options for Support and Custody

Make sure that you have an attorney by your side to help make the transition easier. While a legal professional may not be able to help you work as a single parent, he or she can make sure that you are covered financially and legally – for peace of mind. If you are contemplating a divorce, contact Sarieh Law Offices today. Our attorneys understand what you are going through, and we want to assist you with the single parent transition via our custody and divorce services. Schedule a free consultation now by calling 714-542-6200, or fill out our online contact form with your legal questions.