COMMON EFFECTS OF
SINGLE PARENTING

ECONOMIC DECLINE

HOUSEHOLD DISORGANIZATION

DECLINE IN MASCULINE INPUTS

NEW PARTNER PROBLEMS

QUALITY OF PARENTING DECLINES

STRESS, DEPRESSION, ABUSE

REDUCED CONFLICT
Try to minimize the amount of conflict in your home.  Children going through a divorce need their home to be as safe, supportive, and loving as possible.  Yelling, arguments and all sorts of conflict should be reduced and avoided if possible.

CONTACT WITH ABSENT PARENT
Your child needs both parents if at all possible!  Even if you can't stand to be around your ex-spouse, your child needs them.  Don't inhibit or discourage your child from spending time with your ex-spouse, unless their are concerns of abuse, neglect, etc.

MINIMIZED GEOGRAPHIC CHANGE
Being a child or teenager of divorce is stressful for anyone, keep change to a minimum.  Children living with the pressure and responsibility of having only one parent don't need the extra pressure of having to worry about moving, making new friends, losing old friends, etc.

SURROGATE PARENTS, ROLE MODELS
Your child needs other adults who are willing to spend time with them.  Adults who are willing to invest some of themselves in this child and be a role model for them (ie. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc.)

QUALITY OF PARENTING
When a single parent, even more effort, care, time, and efficiency has to go into     parenting.