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Navigating Back-to-School as a Single Parent: Three Practical Tips

The school bell rings, signaling a new academic year and a fresh set of challenges. If you’re a single parent, the back-to-school season can be particularly overwhelming. Here are three essential tips to help you survive and thrive during these hectic weeks.

1. Plan, Plan, Plan

Time is often a luxury single parents can’t afford to waste. Use a planner or digital app to schedule everything from pick-up and drop-off times to grocery shopping and family meals. Prepare lunches and outfits the night before to reduce morning chaos.

2. Team Up

You don’t have to go through this journey alone. Create a support network with other parents who can help with carpools or last-minute emergencies. If your child forgets their lunch, knowing there’s a neighbor who can help out will be a lifesaver. The community you build will provide emotional support too, something underestimated, but crucial for single parents.

3. Prioritize Self-Care

It’s easy to get consumed by the whirlwind of school supplies, homework, and parent-teacher conferences. But remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take a few minutes each day to breathe, meditate, or enjoy a cup of tea in silence. You deserve it, and what’s more, it equips you to tackle parenting challenges with renewed energy.

 

Forward Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to assisting working, single parents and their children in the Greater Richmond area who are in the midst of a financial crisis.

Empowering Action to Move Forward | Navigating life’s challenges as a community