Getting out of a relationship is tough. To tell your child that the other will not come back, repeatly, is not an easy task in itself. How you phrase it could have long lasting effect on their minds.

When you're explaining to your children that you and their father are not going to live together any longer, be careful not to express any anger at your ex spouse. Your children could get confused or hurt if they hear bad things said about the other parent. Remember, that your children are a part of you and a part of their father, it's a good idea to respect this fact, even if there are a lot of unresolved anger between the two of you. Try and keep that anger or resentment separate. Your children may also feel like they are the ones getting a divorce, so be extra sensitive about their feelings; you may even want to give them a place to air their feelings and fears with a child psychologist or school therapist. Many schools now are starting support groups for children of divorce. 

Children are curious about money from an early age, and you can help them understand its valueExplaining how money works is best done simply and clearly. Include your child in simple transactions that show how to use money, including pocket money, in real life. Kids soon realise they can exchange money for nice things like sweets and toys.

When you're pregnant, it’s a good time to take a close look at your financial situation and plan ahead for the inevitable expenses involved in being a parent. Write down everything you pay each month. Make a point of keeping receipts from everything you spend in a month so you have a really clear idea of where your money is going, and include all the regular bills like gas, electricity, phone and council tax. Divide annual bills by 12, and quarterly bills by three, before adding them to your list. Next to these outgoings, note down your income. See if there are any obvious areas where you could make savings in the long term. At the same time, it's a good idea to review your bank statements. Go through your statement carefully each month and make sure all your standing orders and direct debits are correct and up-to-date.

Being a parent means creating a loving, safe environment for your children as they grow from baby to toddler, right through to the teenage years. You'll need different skills for each stage, but at all times your child will depend on you. You'll become the expert on your child and on what they need to grow into happy, healthy adults.Loving your child, with no strings attached, is the most important thing you can do.

But you'll also have to make a huge number of decisions about the best way to bring up your child. Of course this responsibility brings joy and excitement - but it can be overwhelming, frustrating or even boring at times.Most people manage these emotional and practical challenges with a mixture of love, help from relatives and friends, good advice, common sense and luck.