As the society changes, an increasing number of single-parent families, here in Hong Kong over the past 10 years, the number of single parented children increased more than 20%. Single parent not only need to face emotional, financial, various aspects of adaptation at home, but also to "fatherhood" as a mother or " mother's duty" as a father to take care of and educate their children alone, these children can be under great psychological pressure. In fact, single parent with the appropriate attitudes and skills to parenting, can also developed a lively, cheerful, healthy relationship with their children.

Understanding the child

Any changes in the family situation can affect any degree of emotion for the children, especially young children may not know or are not good at using language to express their feelings, and their emotions will usually be reflected in the behavior, such as when parents are temper, moody, confused and anxious. Parents should first control their own emotion, using a more moderate attitude for their children to analyze their behavior and anxiety, and then guide them in due course to appropriate way to vent emotions and comfort them.

A new family role

 In order to give a good quality child care, without having the lost of a parent being affected, single parents can re-allocate roles and responsibilities of family members, allowing older children within its ability to share the house chores, look after younger siblings, and gradually develop children's self-care and independence, and guide their children to take care of each other and co-operation. Do not pressure the older sibling with high expectations, putting all the blame to them, but also take into account their actual abilities and emotional needs, provide guidance and encouragement in order to avoid unnecessary pressure on them.

Overcome shameful feelings

The attitude of parents will directly affect the children. If the parents think it is shameful being a single parent will makes their child also have a low self esteem. When there are signs of children having to avoid the outside society, parents need to review their own attitudes, and help their children to face the situation, confirm their value more and help them make new friends. Single-parent family is also a family mode, do not feel ashamed or have a low self-esteem, but also encourage the children that single parent families can also live happily.

Telling the truth

When a couple divorced, the parents may not explain the reason to their children, adding to break up already having lot of dispute and it may also involve the child. These cases, the child may have some erroneous views, thinking that they constitute the cause of their divorced parents, so have a sense of guilt, inferiority, and even affect their school or daily life. Parents need to clarify these misunderstanding, give a clear and easy to understand answer, and keep a good communication relationship to let them know that their parents care and love them, to restore a sense of security and confidence for the child.