tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29488635587396331462011-04-21T14:52:09.487-07:00David S. Applehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13945749404006843136noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948863558739633146.post-37663782924689187582007-03-14T06:32:00.000-07:002007-03-14T06:43:05.207-07:00Remember, first, that you are ministering to a family. It helps to understand what single parents are going through in order to provide the individual care they need and will respond to in healthy ways.<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I NEED TO DO/KNOW FIRST …</strong><br /><br />§ Do suspend any judgment. Focus on the needs of the adult and child(ren)<br /><br />§ A single parent must be treated with respect and integrity<br /><br />§ A single parent has suffered loss—whether through death, desertion, separation or divorce. She/he will exhibit all the stages of grief: shock, anger, bargaining, acceptance, and—hopefully—forgiveness<br /><br />§ There has been a break in their family structure<br /><br />§ The non-custodial parent may be inaccessible<br /><br />§ In most cases there is a sudden lack of financial support and a decline in financial security<br /><br />§ In most cases there is a noticeable decline in the support of friends, family and church<br /><br />§ The single parent faces chaos and change<br /><br />§ The single parent faces fear of the future and worry about today<br /><br />§ The single parent has great concern for the children’s needs: how they deal with change, fear, abandonment, reactions of friends and family. How they respond to visitation (normally) and, especially, if there is a history of violence/abuse or drugs/pornography by the non-custodial parent.<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR ACTION? </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>If you desire to be more sensitive in caring for a single parent or her/his child(ren), learn about the changes, above, that have taken place and the problems she or he is facing:<br /><br /><u>Help the Parent<br /></u><br />§ Be available to talk<br /><br />§ Listen<br /><br />§ Observe<br /><br />§ Give time<br /><br />§ Ask permission before sharing appropriate information or advice<br /><br />§ Give reassurance of your love and availability<br /><br />§ Encourage open communication<br /><br />§ Establish a trusting relationship with the single parent families. Open your heart and home providing hospitality for the single parent family on a regular basis<br /><br />§ Phone the single parent daily (reassurances that the single parent is not alone)<br /><br />§ Provide child care to give the single parent a well-earned break<br /><br />§ Mobilize the church to care for home repairs, transportation, meals, counseling, etc.<br /><br /><u></u><br /><u>Help the Child<br /></u><br />§ Develop trust<br /><br />§ Spend quality time with each child<br /><br />§ Become an "adopted" aunt, uncle or grandparent<br /><br />§ Give reassurance that the divorce/death is not child(ren)'s fault<br /><br />§ Help equip child(ren) to deal with conflict and stress<br /><br />§ Help the child(ren) grieve (give them permission)<br /><br />§ Provide recreational opportunities for the children<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2948863558739633146-3766378292468918758?l=helpasingleparent.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>David S. Applehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13945749404006843136noreply@blogger.com0