It’s not a secret that being a single mom is a tough job. You might feel from time to time like juggling everything you have to do like work, home, and parenting, and all on your own. As a society, we truly don’t appreciate how much single moms do and sacrifice to keep their kids happy and creating a safe environment for them.
The world is rapidly evolving, and unfortunately, there are new challenges to your child’s safety, both online and offline. There are some steps you can take to protect your little ones from possible threats, and we’ll review the most crucial ones in this article.
Modern Threats You Might Want to Know
You probably heard about cyberbullying and online predators, and this could be an added worry besides the traditional ones, like their physical and emotional wellbeing.
The list of worries can be endless, but it is key not to panic and have a practical approach.
Knowing what risks are out there and how to face them is the first step to a clever strategy to save you some time and some headaches.
Online Dangers
The Internet can be a valuable resource for your kids to learn vital lessons for the modern world, and they might even work in some IT-related jobs in the future. But… there’s also a downside to the fun and educational part of the digital world. Children can easily be victims of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or online predators.
Sadly, 37% of kids aged from 12 to 17 years old have been the target of cyberbullying at some point in their life.
Emotional Needs
We are sure that as a loving mother, you very much take into account your kids’ feelings, and this is why you probably know this is also incredibly hard.
It is a challenge to appropriately and positively communicate with your children, especially when you are angry, they’re having a tantrum or you are simply having a terrible day.
Human communication is always tricky, but with kids, this becomes even more complicated since it’s your job and your desire to keep their mental and emotional health at its best.
Physical Concerns
Physical safety remains just as important as always. Only mothers can understand the relieving feeling of knowing their kids’ health is good and that they’re perfectly fine.
Certainly, small children do not measure the threats of rough playing, and they are not aware of the possible tragic outcomes of a simple unconscious act.
The Basics of Creating a Safe Environment: Set Clear Rules and Boundaries
One of the most effective and common ways to protect your child is by establishing clear rules and boundaries. This is like the 101 rule for every parent; you should set:
House Rules
Make sure your child understands what is acceptable behavior at home and outside. Think about things like screen time, bedtime, and chores.
For the outside world, the basics usually are, how to cross a street, not talking to strangers, and looking forward when walking.
Funny enough, this seems obvious but most kids do not look forward when walking, this can be dangerous if you also get distracted. These rules help create a sense of structure and security.
Don’t Forget About Online Rules
As kids get older, they start spending more time online, and it becomes essential to create guidelines for internet use.
Sit down with them and openly talk about what is safe behavior and which rules they should follow. Here are some ideas for your guideline:
- No sharing of personal information, and they should ask you first if needed.
- Only talk to people they know.
- Use websites and apps approved by you.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or ads.
- If ever in doubt or uncomfortable, they can turn to you.
Open Communication is Important in Creating a Safe Environment
Depending on your kids’ age this could be different, but you would want to make sure you make an effort to establish good and open communication with them.
Create a Safe Environment
Encourage your child to share their experiences, feelings, and fears with you.
Do not judge or make them feel guilty if possible; this way, you can gain their trust and become a close confidant.
Know Their Friends and Their Families
Make an effort to know your child’s friends and their parents, this is very helpful.
It can be time-consuming, but this builds a community of trust and ensures your child is surrounded by other adults who know you and can communicate with you in case anything odd happens.
Technology Can Be Your Ally
Technology doesn’t need to be your enemy; when used smartly, it can be a valuable tool for keeping your child safe. Consider these tips:
Parental Control Apps
Many apps can help you monitor your child’s online activities and set limits on what they can access. If this isn’t enough, you can also use location-tracking apps to find out where they are at all times.
Using VPNs for Online Protection
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is another tool you can leverage to protect your child’s online activity. A VPN can code your internet connection and keep your data secure from hackers, trackers, and online predators. It’s an easy and effective way to ensure their privacy and safety while they explore the digital world.
Building a Safe and Supportive Environment
Do you feel confident that your home is a haven for your child? Creating a safe environment involves more than just securing your doors and windows.
It means fostering a positive atmosphere where your child feels loved and protected.
You are Important Too: Build a Network of Support for Yourself
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it all alone and that you need to be healthy for your children to be okay.
Building a community of friends, family, neighbors, and other single parents can help with your mental health and anxiety. Consider involving with other single moms and actively collaborating with other families with kids.
Conclusion
Being a single mom is very rewarding, but it is also very challenging.
As the world evolves, so do the threats you can face when protecting your kids. There is no need to panic; everything is possible to handle, but it is important to remain informed.
Kids are exposed to technology more than their parents probably did and as a single mom, you will have to keep up to date with the latest trends and possible usages of the internet.
Hopefully, this guide helped you get through some of the basics for a positive approach to your children’s safety.