Single Parenting: A Mix of Families on the Web

MedlinePlus  is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. The “Family Issues” section discusses a range of circumstances families face today. Don’t miss the article titled “Being a Single Parent” from the American Academy of Family Physicians. It’s a good place to start for single parents wondering how to raise their kids and maintain a sane family life.

MetLife contradicts some of the myths about single-parent families in this article, including the idea that children in single-parent families are more likely to struggle in school; the perception that children from single-parent homes may never have a healthy relationship themselves; and the feeling that a single parent should remarry sooner rather than later to best benefit their children.

The Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide resources that single parents need to raise successful children. This section of the site contains two helpful articles titled “Got Boys” and “Got Girls." If you’re a single parent trying to raise a child of the opposite sex, these articles can provide a few helpful hints. Use the “Please select an article” dropdown box near the top right of the respective girls and boys pages to browse related articles.

Unmarried America is the online home for the American Association for Single People. Though a bit Spartan in appearance, this site offers a wealth of information for the “unmarried majority” in the United States—single parent or not. See the “Column One” section for various issues, including the definition of family and the influence of single consumers on the economy. The “Library One” section holds past articles about singles from all walks of life.

The National Organization of Single Mothers hosts on its official site a great array of articles about motherhood and single parenting. Look for articles “So Overwhelmed You Can’t See Straight?;" “One of ‘Those’ Kids;" and “Writing in the Laundromat.”

The Working Moms’ Internet Refuge provides support for the working mom who feels overworked and misunderstood—and for the single mom who just wants to keep her family functioning. Don’t miss the “Single Moms” section to find money-saving advice for the holiday season, advice for traveling alone with your kids, and an article about how helping others can help you feel better.

The National Center for Fathering aims to help fathers apply useful and effective parenting techniques. Read articles divided into categories such as “Your Situation” (articles for single dads, adoptive dads, and divorced dads, for example) and “Your Kids” (articles addressing newborns, school-aged children, teens and more). Also browse the “Hot Topics” to read about issues like discipline, daughters, sex and education.

Adoption.com is a source for adoptive parents but it also has some solid advice for single dads. Don’t miss articles such as “On Our Own, Dad and Son,” “Ten Tips for Single Dads,” and “The ‘New’ Father Image.”