NewsCoronavirus

Actions

How to cope as a single parent in isolation with kids in Montana

Posted
and last updated

During isolation from COVID-19, parents may be feeling stressed while trying to work from home and even teaching school lesson plans.

The coronavirus is forcing many to change their day-to-day routine as schools and businesses shut down for an extended amount of time.

However, the burden may fall extra hard on single parents, according to Joryn Jenkins, a family lawyer and best-selling author.

She says single parenthood can bring added pressure and stress to the job of raising children.

However, Jenkins says now could really be the time to take on new challenges and learn new things together.

“The opportunities for single parents to spend time with their kids are huge,” she said. “So you know teach your kids to cook, you are stuck at home you can’t go to restaurants, teach your kids to bake try stuff, google the answers to how to do things and do it together.”

With no one to share day-to-day responsibilities or decision-making, single parents must provide greater support for their children while they themselves may feel alone, according to Jenkins.

“All these things you can do together. Spring cleaning, do it together. There is just so much opportunity,” she said.

Jenkins also says the same rules could apply for those parents who might be living with their own parents. In a household where grandparents are now isolated with adults and kids, she says, look for ways to learn new things together.