Single Parents

Hello Monkeybutt429,

I am the single parent of 1 child and I deman respect at all times, or things get taken away for long periods of time. Your children are old enough to know what they are doing is hurting there mother. I would call a family meeting and let them know the new rules of the house that you will have to establish. You cannot be friends with your children they have enough of those, and you cannot allow them to run yoru house as that is a direct sign of disrepect. All children at one time or another tell their parents "you hate me". If you know you are a good mother then do not fall for that. Start taking back control of your house and your children. Limit what you give them to the basic nescesities, let them know your expectations and more importantly "YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT." If the children see you as being weak then they will definitly try to run things. I truly wish you the best of luck, but remember you are the parent and whether the father is there or not you are still the parent. If your child get in trouble at school and you know that he is in the wrong, then let him suffer the consequences of his actions. Sometimes tuff love will make force them to learn a lesson in life. Remember we all had to learn things the hard way. My child's father has not seen her in almost 3 years and she cries for him. That tears me up inside, but the only thing that I can do is let her know that I am there for her and carry on with life.
Good luck.