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Home › Articles › You and Your Children › Solo Summers

Solo Summers

Challenges Facing the Single Parent

By Heather V. Long

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For some children, the end of the school year will mean a move to a new classroom. For others, it may mean choosing a camp or a recreational program followed by a new class or school in the fall. Summer might also mean vacation travel, hot days, iced tea, family, friends and a swimming pool.

But for parents, summertime means more than just childcare and scheduling, it means balancing needs with wants. In the case of single parents, this might seem like an onerous task, but they are facing the same challenges that every other parent does with the onset of summer: What do we do now?

"The first rule of thumb I always tell single parents is that they should start making summer plans right after they put their Christmas decorations away," says Leah Klungness, psychologist and co-author of The Complete Single Mother (Adams Media Corporation, 2000). "February is a good time to look for the notices for things and to start planning as early as possible."

Opportunities and Challenges
Summer can mean a change in the regular childcare program. For school-age children, it may mean more outdoor play and exploration as well as extra water play from bubble making to swimming. There will be new faces at the local daycare as familiar staff take vacations and substitutes join the program for the summer. Parents should make notes of changes with any programs their children are involved in so they can be prepared for any adjustments their children may need to make.

"Thoroughly investigate local community resources," says Klungness. "Community agencies – don't think that you are calling up and bothering them. Also, I recommend that parents should network with other moms at daycare or school and see what their plans might be and what suggestions they might have."


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