The concept of single-parent family has become a frequently encountered type of family today. Single parent family; It is a type of single-parent family in which the mother or father is alone and is responsible for the needs of the house together with the children. It contains many subtypes within itself. The form and content of these types are shaped by the parent's reason for being alone. Examples of reasons why parents may be alone include: Situations such as divorce, death of one of the spouses, one of the parents being in prison, one of the parents leaving the house or disappearing, and pregnancy out of wedlock…
We have stated that this family type has subtypes within itself. The reasons for the formation of these subtypes cause single-parent families to have different dynamics in terms of content. For this reason, the reason for being a single-parent family also affects the content and form of the counseling service. Because problems can vary and vary depending on the reason for being a single parent. As an example of this situation; Differences between families where there is only a mother or where there is only a father can be shown. The reason why the mother or father is alone is very important in this difference. This condition can seriously affect not only parents but also children. It is not possible to limit this impact only financially. It is also possible to talk about serious psychological effects.
Especially in recent years, such families are encountered more frequently. The reason for this may be increasing divorce rates. However, the general situation of the geography in which the family is located may also have an impact. For example, being in war zones or being a military spouse...
The increase in the rate of single-parent families in recent years due to the reasons mentioned above has caused studies and activities for such families to gain importance. Consultancy services especially for such families have become more meaningful.
We mentioned that the single-parent family contains many subtypes. We will try to explain the situation in a more specific way by taking the example of a single-parent family, which is one of these family types and where the mother is left alone as a result of divorce. secret.
The situation may not be easy for a child who is exposed to parental separation at a young age, especially between the ages of 0-6. The father's departure from home, the change in the existing routine and order, the increase in responsibilities piled on the mother, the mother's ability to pay less attention to the child due to this accumulation, and the neglect of the child, even if unintentionally, are very challenging situations for the parent and the child. These challenging situations can sometimes turn into problems that family members have difficulty in dealing with. In this case, it may cause some psychological or behavioral problems to occur. So, what can be done to prevent this situation and prevent the existing negativities from taking root further?
Even if the mother and father are separated, the child is the child of both. Despite the problems that exist, we should come together for the sake of the child who has things in common. The responsibility of the child should be shouldered together without being concentrated on one parent. The role of mother and father should be kept separate from our bilateral relations and neglect of the child should be prevented. This will contribute to reducing the burden on not only the child but also the parents, so that the difficult process that the parents are going through will become more manageable. In addition, in order to overcome this process with less damage, individuals can positively contribute to establishing routines and drawing new boundaries. New social environments, hobbies, artistic and sports activities may contribute to this situation.
In addition, some behavioral and attitude problems may be observed in children during this difficult process. For example, bedwetting, tantrums, poor school performance, nail biting, introversion and sleep problems may occur. If, despite your efforts, you cannot influence the negativities in yourself and your child, benefiting from counseling services will contribute positively to you. Addressing these situations together with a mental health specialist will contribute positively to alleviating the burden on your shoulders and helping you return to functional days.
Points that single-parent families should pay attention to:
• Staying in touch with the child regardless of distance
• With the other spouse not reflecting the problem we are experiencing to the child
• Not forcing the child to take a "side"
• Taking into account your child's wishes and feelings
• Exhibiting behaviors that will instill a sense of belonging in the child
• When necessary getting expert support.
• Spending special times with the child and making them feel valuable
• Trying to spend time in social environments as well as one-on-one time with your child
• Just because he lives with a single parent, Not to treat the child as a poor, sad, problematic child, to continue the natural flow of things and to create and maintain a routine
• Not to immediately attribute existing or emerging problems to "being a single parent" and not to make excessive efforts
• Communicating with the child correctly, clearly, clearly
• Parents should not fight each other over the child
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