According to author and speaker Cheri Fuller, when you pray with your kids—talking to God as you talk to a friend—you’re making him more accessible to them. If they see you praying regularly, they’ll understand the importance of doing it too.

Reading the Bible is also important. Lisa Prillaman, a single mother, reads scripture with her son during breakfast. Or use a family devotional book. Incorporating the Bible into your daily routine helps your kids learn more about who God is and what’s important to Him as well as what’s important to you.

Getting a Grip on the Green

If your finances are out of control, the stress is probably affecting your relationship with your kids. Take time to develop a budget and use it. Find ways to cut expenses like cable service, pizza delivery, and your morning latté. Start saving, even if it’s only a small amount, because over time a little bit can add up to a lot.

Make room in your budget for your tithe. If you struggle with tithing, pray for the desire and the courage to do so. Brenda Armstrong, author of Financial Relief for Single Parents: A Proven Plan for Achieving the Seemingly Impossible, says that giving to God shows we trust Him. She says that if you can’t start with 10 percent, give what you can. As you grow spiritually, your giving will catch up.

You can also take a money management course and read financial books from a Christian perspective by authors Larry Burkett and Ron Blue.

Building a Support Network

You need to know you’re not alone. A divorce recovery group can help you meet people grappling with the same issues and start healing. Look for biblically-based programs like DivorceCare (http://www.divorcecare.org/) or Fresh Start (http://www.freshstartseminars.org/). If these programs aren’t available in your area, find a good Christian counselor who can help you process your feelings.

Develop friendships with people of the same sex. You need a friend to vent with so you don’t do it in front of your kids.

Surround yourself with people who can help you, whether it’s picking up your kids after practice, inviting you over for dinner, or fixing leaky faucets. Don’t associate with toxic people who make you feel guilty about the divorce, criticize your parenting, or give unwanted advice.

Dating: When and How

Because single parents miss the companionship, physical intimacy, and other aspects of marriage, they often rush back into dating before they’re ready. They risk further pain to themselves and their kids because their own scars from the divorce haven’t fully healed.

Divorce recovery programs urge you to wait a minimum of two years after the divorce—not the separation—or up to one year for every four years you were married. Some people even choose to wait until their children are grown before they start dating again.