If you’ve just become a single parent, I want you to know something straight away:

What you’re feeling right now is normal.

The overwhelm.

The grief.

The stress.

The anxiety.

The loneliness.

The “how am I going to do this?” thoughts.

It can feel like your whole world has been flipped upside down overnight.

And even if you know the breakup was necessary… it doesn’t make it easy.

Because now it’s not just a breakup.

It’s a breakup plus parenting.

Plus finances.

Plus routines.

Plus co-parenting.

Plus healing.

Plus trying to stay strong for your kids.

And it’s a lot.

So, if you’re in that early stage, where everything feels raw and way too much, then save this blog.

These are the best tips I give to single parents who are newly separated and want to start you on your way to creating your best single parent life.

1️⃣ Create a To-Do List AND a Goals List

Most people create a to-do list because they have to.

School lunches.

Work.

Bills.

Appointments.

Kids’ activities.

Groceries.

Housework.

But after a breakup, you also need a goals list.

Because this is your chance to start building a life that actually feels like yours again.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want my life to look like in 6 months?

• What do I want to feel like?

• What do I want to stop tolerating?

• What do I want to start doing more of?

This isn’t just about getting through the week.

This is about planning a life for you.

2️⃣ Write Down What You Want in a Partner

This is a big one.

So many people rush into dating again and tell themselves: “I’ll just see what happens.”

But that’s exactly how people end up repeating the same cycle.

After a breakup, you need to stop hoping for the best and start being intentional.

Write down:

• What you want in a partner

• What you need emotionally

• What your deal-breakers are

• What you will no longer tolerate

  
  

Because when you’re clear, you stop settling.

And when you stop settling… you start choosing better.

3️⃣ Work Out Your Finances

This is one of the most stressful parts of becoming a single parent, and it’s also the part most people avoid.

Because it’s scary.

But your financial situation has completely changed, and the sooner you face it, the sooner you can manage it.

Sit down and work out:

• What’s coming in

• What’s going out

• What you’re spending without realising

• What you need to cut back on (for now)

• What you need to plan for

You don’t need to have everything perfect.

You just need clarity.

Because financial stress will destroy your mental health if you keep avoiding it.

4️⃣ Find Your Circle

This one is HUGE.

Your friend group will change after a breakup.

Some people will support you.

Some people will disappear.

Some people will judge you.

Some people will make it worse.

And you need to know this:

Not everyone deserves access to you in this season of your life.

Find the people who:

• Are on the same page

• Support you

• Don’t drain you

• Don’t make you feel like shit after talking to them

• Don’t make everything about them

• Don’t treat you like a problem

Your healing depends on your environment.

5️⃣ Get Out and Live Your Life

Breakups aren’t a reason to stop doing things.

They’re a reason to start fresh.

So many single parents shut down after a breakup.

They stop going out.

They stop socialising.

They stop doing anything fun.

They stop being themselves.

But the truth is…

If you want to feel better, you need to start creating a life that feels good again.

Even if it’s small.

Even if it’s awkward at first.

Even if you don’t feel like it.

Because staying stuck at home replaying the past will keep you stuck in the past.

6️⃣ Make Kickass Memories With Your Kids

Your family dynamic has changed.

That doesn’t mean your parenting should.

If anything, now is the time to create even more memories.

Not because you’re trying to “overcompensate.”

But because your kids need fun and happiness. And you need it too.

Go out.

Do things.

Try new places.

Start new traditions.

Make memories.

Because this chapter doesn’t have to be sad forever.

7️⃣ Minimise Contact With Your Ex While You’re Grieving

This one is hard, especially when you’re co-parenting.

But it’s so important.

You can’t let go or move on if you’re seeing or talking to your ex every day.

Every message reopens the wound.

Every interaction triggers you.

Every argument sets you back.

So while you’re grieving and healing:

Keep communication minimal.

Keep it child-focused.

Keep it structured.

And avoid unnecessary contact as much as possible.

Especially in high-conflict co-parenting situations.

Because you cannot heal in the same environment that keeps hurting you.

8️⃣ Work Through Your Breakup and Your Emotions

This is the one that most people avoid.

And it’s the one that matters most.

A lot of people think:

“I’ll just deal with it.”

“I’ll just stay busy.”

“I’ll distract myself.”

“It’ll go away eventually.”

But it doesn’t.

Because there’s hurt, anger, grief, betrayal, and pain that needs to be processed.

And if you don’t work through it…

You carry it.

You carry it into your parenting.

You carry it into your health.

You carry it into your confidence.

You carry it into your next relationship.

And years down the track, you’re still stuck repeating the same cycle, just in a different way.

The Truth is most people don't want to hear.

A lot of people don’t want to believe this advice

They think they can just “push through.”

And then suddenly, one day, it hits them:

“I should’ve dealt with this sooner.”

And honestly?

It sucks learning the hard way.

If You’re Ready to Take Control

If you’re ready to take control back of your life again, I want you to know you don’t have to do it alone.

This is literally what I help single parents with every day, working through the emotions, rebuilding confidence, navigating co-parenting, and creating a life that actually feels stable and exciting again.

If you’re ready, drop the word to start working through that hurt then click the link below to book in for a free 1:1 intro chat.

Because the longer you avoid it, the longer you stay stuck.

And you deserve better than that.