Overview Single dads often deal with negative perceptions about their ability to be a successful single parent. Whether you find yourself in the situation due to divorce or the death of your wife, you are likely to have other emotions and issues to work through on top of raising your children. If you have shared custody, you also have your former spouse to deal with as it pertains to raising the children. While challenging, being a successful single father is also very rewarding. Step 1 Handle your own emotional issues related to becoming a single father. Avoid forcing negative feelings onto your children. Dr. Phil McGraw states that your child needs to know that you have the strength to handle the situation in order to create a stable atmosphere. Step 2 Create a safe, secure environment for your children, whether they live with you all the time or only on weekends. Make your home feel comfortable for your children. Step 3 Develop a routine that fits your lifestyle and your kids' needs. Creating a routine gives a child a sense of security and stability, something they may be missing particularly if you have recently been through a divorce. When sharing custody, try to keep the routine consistent in both homes when it comes to things like meal time and bedtime. Step 4 Set rules and boundaries for your children. This also gives them stability and security. Enforce the rules consistently while also reinforcing your children's positive behaviors. Step 5 Establish your own dating rules. Determine if you will date, how often you will go out and when you will introduce your children to your dating partner. Dating gives you an opportunity to have adult social interaction. Step 6 Give yourself a break when possible. Taking care of your own needs and doing things on your own helps you better handle your children. You may be more patient and refreshed so you can better deal with difficult situations. Step 7 Accept help from family and friends. Being a good single dad doesn't mean you have to do everything on your own. Every parent faces challenges and needs help at some point. Step 8 Spend quality time with your kids doing activities they enjoy, such as reading, playing in the backyard or riding bikes.