Family Matters
Globe and Mail
Children of single parents already have a non-traditional home life. If it is safe to do so, take time to make sure that they have a relationship with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This includes the family members of the parent that the child does not live with. These relationships are important for social development, and having these relationships will make your child feel normal when other children discuss family.
Research, Research, Research
Dan Peek
Children of single parents are not doomed to have emotional and developmental problems, but science has proven that mothers and fathers both play a unique role in the development of a child. For example, a good relationship with a father instills confidence. Do research on the developmental aspects that your child could be lacking because of not having two parents. Although no one expects a single parent to be two people, they can purposely fulfill specific emotional needs. Although a mother cannot be a father, she can be a father figure. Although a father is not a mother, he can have motherly qualities.
