Single Parenting: A Mix of Families on the Web
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 12.9 million single-parent families in 2006, including 10.4 million single-mother families and 2.5 million single-father families. Because these numbers are fairly substantial, more and more parenting and family resources on the Web contain a section devoted to single-parent families explaining what life is like as a single parent. This Web guide highlights some of the best.
Expand All Guide SectionsAdvice for Single Parents
Dealing with the responsibilities of child rearing as a single parent essentially doubles what you ... read more »
Resources for Different Types of Single Parents
Single parent families are created out of a variety of situations. If you’ve got questions ... read more »
Helping Kids Understand Your Family Situation
Perhaps one of the most difficult challenges of single parenting is helping a child understand your ... read more »
Balancing Work and Family
Even with the help of a second parent, balancing your personal, financial, family and work life has ... read more »
Dating as a Single Parent
Dating as a single parent might be the farthest thought from your mind or it might be an aspect of ... read more »
Single-Parent Support
The Web is filled with message boards and blogs written by people who want to share their experiences with others. Plenty of these forums deal with single-parent issues. There are even support networks for your children online. This section highlights some of the best single-parent support sites on the Web.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Although the vast majority of people you’ll find on message boards and forums have good intentions, there are those who seek to take advantage of people in vulnerable positions. Remember that safety is paramount, and be very cautious about the personal data you divulge, if any.
- One way to protect your identity online is to use a nickname when you participate in message boards, and to change your nickname if you participate in more than one board.
- Although you’ll likely find a sympathetic ear on the Web, the bulk of the advice you find on blogs and forums probably won’t come from professionals. Our findingDulcinea Counseling and Therapy Web Guide connects you to professional emotional support that can help difficult family situations.
- If you prefer face-to-face support groups rather than online forums, see the sites below to find a group in your area. Also consider speaking to the clergy at your local house of worship for counseling help or for referrals to other appropriate support groups.
Dulcinea's Picks
For single-parenting blogs …
Sanity and the Solo Mom
comes from a mother who believes in efficiency and prioritizing her activities so that she spends as much time with her children as possible. Her entries are sassy and would help any parent, single or not, put the important things in perspective.
Families.com
features a blog by Kori Rodley Irons, a single mother to three teenagers. Her writings about parenting are extremely practical and straightforward, whether she is discussing the difficulty of teaching her teens how to budget, the importance of “alone time,” or the legal issues that accompany single parenthood.
For message boards …
Single Family Voices
maintains an active message board where single moms and dads share advice and ask questions. Not only does this site include several message boards for single fathers, but it breaks both its single mothers and single fathers categories into age groups (for example, 20-Something and 30-Something) so you can speak to a group of your peers. Free registration is required.
The National Organization of Single Mothers
maintains a message board for single moms. Participation in the board is free but you must complete the registration process first.
For face-to-face or other online support …
Parents Without Partners International, Inc.
is a support group for parents and their children. If you’re looking for a single-parent support group where you live, or if you want to start a support group, review the information under the “Find A Chapter” and “Start A Chapter” links. If you don’t live near a local chapter, an online support network is available for a yearly fee of $40.
The Women’s Institute for Financial Education
explains how to form a single-parent support group for you and your child in this article. Though the information appears in a women’s publication, it’s useful for mother and father alike.
For kids’ resources …
Big Brothers Big Sisters
(BBBS) is the largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. BBBS states that because of its mentoring programs, more of its enrolled children perform better in school, steer clear of drugs and alcohol, and have better relationships with their families. The organization also states that its method of working with young people is especially effective for youth in single-parent families. Learn more about the BBBS program or enroll your child.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
