Local P.E.A.C.E. Saddleback Church
How can you help a single parent household?
As you begin to assess and learn of the needs in your community your small group will undoubtedly come upon single parent families that are struggling to get by. The single parent has many issues that you need to try to understand. If the single parent’s spouse passed away, the family as a whole will be going through a period of grief and loss. A redefinition of roles and a need for community are key needs in this family’s life. A single-parent family from divorce is also going through change and loss. Many times there is a relationship with the divorced spouse, but tension usually exists on varying scales. Common struggles that single-parent families will face are: need for childcare support difficulty paying bills counseling/family therapy for the family parental loneliness need for role models lack of community What can a small group do to assist a single parent household? Invite the family to join your small group on a social activity – a trip to the park, beach or for a barbeque are a few examples. Assess the after-school issues and needs for a working parent and their children, and look for creative ways to meet those needs. Assess with the single parent what the perceived needs are for the family and develop a strategy to assist (NOT TAKE OVER) the needs in these areas. Example: Money shortage – establish a financial plan, look at income vs. expenses, vocational training for better employment and accountability. Have a “fix up the house day” with the family Take the kids out for a night on the town and send the single parent to spend some time doing something on their own Look at creative ways to help the single parent with cooking/kitchen needs Pray regularly for the family – for the children pray Luke 2:52 Help the family find a good church where the children can grow up in a nurturing environment. Facilitate a single parent finding a single parent support group
Resource websites www.wife.org www.singlespouse.com and www.singlespouse.com/link.html (this site lists many important resources for single-parent families) Books Successful Single Parenting: Bringing Out the Best in Your Kids, by Gary Richmond Ordering your Private World, by Gordon MacDonald The Financial Guide for the Single Parent Workbook by Larry Burkett P.E.A.C.E. in “my community” is about seeing community transformation one family at a time. Every family has a different history, but they all share a common need of the love of Jesus Christ.