Single dads have been advised to take heart as they embark on single father parenting even though the effort comes with a lot of challenges.
Kiambu Deputy Gender Officer Mercy Kuria says that single fathers should endure being both a mother and a father to their children. She states that one of the most challenging facts of being a single parent dad is that of talking to the children on topics concerning growth and development especially to their daughters.
Other challenges facing these parents include the fact that some men have no clue on basic parenting roles while others see the fact of being the only bread winner as stressful. She adds that some men have a problem with nurturing the children because of balancing work, home and leisure.
Kuria stated that when one is faced with single parenting, he should seek support from relatives like sisters who can help in taking care of the daughters as the man supports her. She added that the men can also get to learn about the girls’ development so as to educate the daughter and make her feel not left out.
She noted that other ways to reduce the stress of parenting in such a case is by reducing the financial burden such as changing the child’s school to a much affordable one. She added that one can also ask for stable working hours at his work place so as to always be there to care for the children.
The officer observed that these cases are not only challenging to the father but also to the children since the face a lot growing without any one to call mum. She added that such children, most especially the girl child, finds it difficult to talk to their fathers on issues concerning their development.
The officer said that once a man is aware of the challenges and have knowledge of how others have dealt with them, it becomes less stressful and more rewarding.
Antony Kihara, a single parent in the area said that even if the challenges of being a single parent are great, he has learned to overcome them by involving his relatives to help in taking care of the children.
He advises other men who are caught up in a situation like his to take heart and enjoy parenting. He stated that they should willingly show care and love to the children disregarding all challenges.