How Children of Single Parents Are Affected

How Children of Single Parents Are Affected

The structure of the traditional family has seen great changes over the past few decades, with single-parent households becoming increasingly common. This shift requires a closer look at of how children raised in these environments are uniquely affected. Understanding these effects is important for providing the necessary support and resources.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 27% of all families with children are headed by a single parent. While DoULike statistics show that 47% of U.S. adults believe that single motherhood is bad for society.  Although children of single parents are less likely to be stigmatized, many are still at risk for certain economic, psychological, and development problems. But, it isn’t all negative.

Negative Effects for Children of Single Parents

No child is fated for a difficult life just because they’re raised by a single parent. However, children who grow up in a single parent household are more at risk for the following.

Economic Hardships

Children in single-parent homes are more vulnerable to economic shifts since only one family member can contribute to finances. Single parents may feel frightened, frustrated, or stressed by the difference between their lives and their friends, emotions that could rub off on the child.

Single parents can live a frugal lifestyle, automate their finances, and slowly build up savings to reduce economic hardships. By investing in life insurance for single parents you can cover various kinds of living expenses, such as education, household maintenance, and childcare.

Developmental Problems

Children of single parents are more likely to fall behind in school than their peers. They tend to get lower grades, act out, and have high rates of absenteeism. Drop-out rates, aggression, and anxiety are also more common in single parent homes, and the effects can be long-lasting.

There are a few ways single parents can minimize developmental problems. For one, they can develop a consistent parenting style that involves regular routines. Single parents who have or can develop a robust network of social support are better equipped at helping their children.

Psychological Effects

A study conducted in Sweden found that children from single-parent families had twice the incidence of depression, mental illnesses, and alcohol abuse problems when compared to two-parent homes. Feelings of guilt or abandonment are typical causes.

It’s possible to protect children from these risk factors by shielding them from parental conflict. Don’t ask children to take sides. Speak to children about why single-parenting is the best option for the family and pay attention to their feelings. Try to accentuate the positives of the situation.

Positive Effects for Children of Single Parents

A lot of media surrounding single parenting focuses on the negative, but there are several advantages of going solo. Being a single parent can offer several benefits to children.

Fewer Arguments

Children are aware when something is off, even if parents hide the negative realities of their relationships. When children are aware that one of their parents is unhappy or being abused, they’ll often suffer from similar issues as they would growing up with a neglectful single parent.

However, single parents can minimize the effect this parenting style has on their children, but they can’t change how another person impacts their child. Therefore, it’s often better for parents to remove their children from this situation, so both parties can feel safer and more secure.

Closer Relationships

Parents who stay in an environment that’s physically or emotionally taxing will have a hard time connecting to their children. That’s because the parent is often too tired or emotionally impaired at the end of the day to develop a strong relationship foundation with their children.

However, children of single parents often spend more positive interaction time with their mothers or fathers. Since single parents can reserve their love and attention strictly for their children, there’s a high possibility that they’ll develop a tight-knit bond with each other.

Stronger Independence

When children live in single-parent households, they’ll take on more responsibility. They quickly notice that their parent is busy juggling work and family, so they’ll either start doing household chores themselves or be asked to help out. Either way, they learn how to be more independent.

Raising independent children is essential, but independence looks different at each age. Most children as young as 8 can help prepare dinner, wash dishes, and vacuum the home. Plus, independent children are less likely to spend their free time watching TV or on the computer.

Share This Article

Reasons Why ABA Therapy is Very Important for Autistic Children

ABA for Autistic Children

If you have a child who has been diagnosed with autism, you may be wondering what the best course of action is for them. ABA therapy is very effective in helping autistic children reach their full potential. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of ABA therapy and why it is so important for autistic children.

Learn New Skills

ABA therapy helps autistic children learn new skills. This can include things like communication skills, social skills, and self-help skills. ABA therapy is one of the most effective therapies for helping autistic children learn new skills. The therapist will work with the child on a variety of goals depending on what they need to work on.

Some common goals include improving communication, social skills, and self-help skills.ABA therapy can also help improve symptoms of autism, such as social interaction and communication. You can do a simple online search “aba center near me” or “aba therapist near me” to find a center or therapist in your area. If you are looking for an effective therapy for your autistic child, ABA therapy is a great option.

Improve Communication

ABA therapy can help improve communication for autistic children. This can be done by teaching the child how to communicate through words, gestures, or other methods. ABA therapy can also help improve the understanding of communication for both the child and their parents or caregivers. This can lead to improved communication in all aspects of the child’s life.

Reduce Aggressive Behavior

ABA therapy is very effective in reducing aggressive behavior in autistic children. This is hugely important, as aggression can cause serious problems for both the child and their caregivers. In some cases, it can even lead to violence or self-harm. ABA therapy can help to teach children how to express their feelings in a more positive way, which can make for a much more peaceful home life for everyone involved. Aggressive behavior is also often symptomatic of other underlying issues, such as anxiety or frustration. ABA therapy can help to address these issues and improve the child’s overall well-being.

Improve Social Skills

ABA therapy can help autistic children to improve their social skills. This is because ABA therapy focuses on teaching specific skills and behaviors, which can then be transferred to social situations. Autistic children often struggle with understanding social cues and interacting with others, but through ABA therapy they can learn the necessary skills to engage in meaningful conversations and interact with others more properly. As a result, autistic children can become more socially integrated and have a better quality of life.

Improve Academic Achievement

ABA therapy has been proven to help improve academic achievement in children with autism. One study found that children who received ABA therapy had significantly improved scores on standardized tests compared to children who did not receive ABA therapy. The improvement in academic achievement was even more pronounced for children with lower IQs.

ABA Therapy for Autistic Children

ABA therapy can help autistic children learn the skills they need to be successful in school. Some of the skills that ABA therapy can help improve include: listening comprehension, following directions, task completion, and socialization. With proper instruction and reinforcement from an ABA therapist, autistic children can make great strides in their academic performance.

Improve Quality of Life

ABA therapy can help improve the quality of life for autistic children. It can help them learn new skills, make friends, and connect with others. This can make a big difference in their lives and help them feel more included in the world around them. ABA therapy can also help reduce anxiety and stress levels, which can improve overall well-being. Altogether, these benefits can make a big impact on the overall quality of life for autistic children. If you are considering ABA therapy for your child, be sure to weigh all of these benefits before making a decision. ABA therapy is an extremely important tool that can have a positive impact on the lives of autistic children.

Increase Independence

ABA therapy can also help increase the independence of autistic children. Through ABA therapy, they can learn important skills that will help them live more independently as adults. This includes things like learning how to cook, do laundry, and take care of themselves. ABA therapy can also help children develop social skills that will be necessary for living on their own. All in all, ABA therapy can play a big role in helping autistic children become more independent as they grow older. If you are looking for ways to help your child increase their independence, consider ABA therapy.

ABA therapy is an important treatment for autistic children. It can help them learn new skills and behaviors, and it can also help improve their communication and social skills. ABA therapy can be very beneficial for autistic children, and it can help them reach their full potential.

Share This Article

The History of Mother’s Day for Students

Mother holding flowers while being kissed by her child.

Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world to honor mothers. It’s a day to thank them for all the wonderful things they do and has been very popular throughout history. Many years ago, before social media and cell phones, home phone lines would get jammed up.  This was because everyone was calling their moms to wish her “Happy Mother’s Day!”

This special day does not take place on the same day in every country.  Unlike Valentine’s Day, which always occurs on February 14th, Mother’s Day is commemorated at different times each year depending on your country.  In the majority of countries worldwide it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.

Many other places celebrate Mother’s Day in March and a few countries honor their moms in other months.

We’ll explore when this celebration of mom occurs each year for different people, but let’s first learn about the origin of Mother’s Day.

When Did Mother’s Day Begin?

The idea of honoring mothers dates far back in history to ancient Greece, where celebrations were held to honor the mother of the gods.  Back in the infancy of the Christian church, a mother’s festival was held in honor of Mary, the mother of Christ.  This took place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Therefore, Mother’s Day in these countries is typically celebrated in late March or early April and falls three weeks before Easter Sunday.

The date for the celebration of Mother’s Day varies each year because the weekend Easter takes place also varies.  There are a few countries that celebrate Mother’s day in other months of the year.

The History of Mother’s Day in North America

Mother’s Day began in the United States on May 12, 1907. It’s origin comes from the day Anna Maria Jarvis held a memorial service for her late mother at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. Her mother, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis, had been known for organizing women’s groups to promote friendship and health.

Exactly a year later in 1908, the first formal Mother’s Day church services were held at the same church.  There was a much larger attendance of a ceremony in Philadelphia. Carnations were distributed to mothers and their sons and daughters.

Dad and son give mom flowers for Mother's Day.

West Virginia, the state where Anna Jarvis planted the seed for a regular Mother’s Day celebration, officially made Mother’s Day an official holiday.

In the months that followed, Anna Jarvis began promoting the idea that everyone should commemorate Mother’s Day.  This was done through a letter writing campaign that she organized.

Anna also founded the Mother’s Day International Association and trademarked the phrases “second Sunday in May” and “Mother’s Day.”  Anna is quoted as saying that she wanted Mother’s Day to be a very private acknowledgment of all the mother does for the family.

In 1914 Mother’s Day became a national holiday in the United States.

The Popularity of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day throughout history has grown to become one of the most universally popular holidays and celebrations of the year.  It even had a hand in inspiring the celebration of Father’s Day. Perhaps it’s because no one can deny how important our mother’s are to each of us and to our families.  Mom’s stand behind their kids with unconditional love and support.  Mom will do anything to help and protect us.

Hopefully what we’ve learned will be a reminder for everyone in the world to never take our moms for granted, no matter what day it is.

Share This Article

Building Good Study Habits in Early Childhood

Building Good Study Habits in Early Childhood

Good study habits start in early childhood. Children who learn to cut out distractions and focus their attention will develop a strong study “muscle” that serves them well in high school and college. As a parent, you can set your children up for success by catering to their physical needs and developing consistent routines.

Utilizing the best that online tutoring and Ed-Tech have to offer are important steps to ensuring your child has the tools they need to build good study habits throughout their entire educational journey.

Physical Needs for Study Habits

Young children don’t yet understand the connection between their physical well-being and their ability to learn and focus on mental tasks. As a parent, you can make it easier for young children to adopt healthy study habits by taking care of their physical needs.

Start by ensuring that your child gets enough sleep. Young children need 10-12 hours of sleep to develop properly and to ensure that they can focus on their studies. So, set a regular bedtime for your child and keep them on the same sleep schedule throughout the whole week.

Your child also needs to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Eating poorly can cause mental fatigue, and breakfasts or lunches high in carbs or sugar can cause afternoon slumps due to spikes in energy levels. Instead of sugary snacks and cereal, provide your child with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and a variety of proteins.

Ensuring that you cater to your child’s physical needs alleviates many of the challenges associated with studying, and helps you create a consistent routine that they will stick to.

Creating a Routine

Children do best when they know what to expect, and a daily schedule that involves learning will strengthen their study habits.

A good study routine should be consistent. Choose a regular time of day to study with your child and always study in the same place. For example, if your child is at a kindergarten or Pre-K during the day, you should choose a study time in the late afternoon and settle down somewhere with plenty of space like a kitchen table.

You can figure out the best time to study based on your child’s mood and energy levels. If you notice that they’re tuckered out after kindergarten or Pre-K, give them some time to rest and take care of their physical needs by feeding them and giving them plenty of water. Don’t leave it too late, though, as kids may start to lose focus as the evening draws on.

Managing Study Stress

Studying can cause real stress in children. Some children find kindergarten and Pre-K extremely taxing and have a hard time keeping up with their peers in the classroom. If you notice that your child is extremely stressed due to schoolwork, it may be worth seeing a pediatrician who can help identify learning difficulties and suggest solutions.

You can also help manage study-related stress by creating a low-stakes environment and encouraging your child with positive feedback. This is particularly important if your child is a little behind other kids, as academic setbacks can cause stress levels to rise and make children seize up when studying.

Remember that not all learning has to occur at a desk. Sometimes exercise and activity can become a part of your child’s routine and help them develop good study habits. Consider taking the study session outside to illustrate ideas from geography classes and kinesiology. This will help build a positive association between studying and happiness and help relax children who are excessively stressed due to schoolwork.

Online Tutoring

As a parent, you are probably busy with your own work and outside responsibilities. This makes it difficult to preside over every study session your child has. Additionally, as your child grows older, you may not have answers to all the questions involved in their school work.

It’s perfectly acceptable to outsource your child’s study time and opt for online tutoring sessions. Online tutoring at home puts your child in touch with brilliant educators from all over the world and provides an innovative and interactive learning experience for children of all ages.

Online tutoring is a worthwhile supplement to your child’s study routine, but it isn’t without challenges. You’ll need to check in on children who are taking tutoring classes online to ensure that they aren’t surfing the web, and you must find a reputable, skilled tutor that you trust to deliver consistently high-quality study sessions for your child.

Conclusion

Many children do not learn good study habits until later in their school career. This makes it difficult to implement a productive study routine and can be detrimental to children’s academic careers. Instead, build good study habits in early childhood by providing a consistent daily routine of learning and homework. Instilling proper study techniques now will serve students well when the move up to secondary school.

You can make studying easier by feeding young children a healthy, balanced diet to promote well-being and focus. If you’re too busy to study with your child, take advantage of reputable online tutors who know how to deliver an interactive learning experience.

About the Author
About the AuthorKatie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in education, mental health, family lifestyle and online safety. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. You can follow her on Twitter.


Read how students with dyslexia have excellent memory skills and how parents can help them in other areas.

Share This Article