Getting the Support We Need

It's really important that we single parents surround ourselves with support, friendship & positive experiences. We already carry the burden of running a household alone; there is no reason exist in our communities alone as well.

Before I moved back to my hometown following AJ's birth, I belonged to a chapter of Parents Without Partners. The friends I made there helped me through some pretty rough times and during my pregnancy.

When I first joined, I was wary because there were a lot of older parents, including ones with kids as old as I was! Each chapter is different, but as a whole, the organization seems to be struggling with recruiting younger members. Are we just afraid to reach out? Have we decided we are too busy? Do we not give these groups a chance?

The connections you make in a group such as this can show your kids that they are not the only ones with divorced or absent parents. You may meet some wonderful parents that can serve as male or female role models when your child's own parent is absent or just a jerk.

A group like PWP also understands issues like childcare, so most activities are child-appropriate or have babysitting available. Unfortunately, there is no PWP chapter in my area now. Check out their web site to find one near you or learn how to start one yourself!

I have now begun checking out the mothers' clubs in my area. Usually a simple web search can help you find one. These tend to be geared toward moms with children under 5 years old. Don't ask me why there aren't more support groups for parents of teens - I guess we're too busy playing taxi for all their commitments!