by Marijoyce Porcelli

Created on: December 20, 2008

Being a single parent can have its rewards, but can also come with its own set of specific problems.

However, if you look on the Internet, in newspapers, in magazines you will find that advice columns, answers provided to help other people with such problems, make for popular reading.

That's because those suffering any type of pain or confusion want to reach out. Medical research has shown that one of the most effective ways of dealing with the ongoing stress of life's difficulties is to seek support. Sharing the pain helps to ease it. Talking about problems with others can help to resolve them many times. That's why starting a support group for single parents is often a good idea.

Just getting several people together with no concrete plan beforehand on creating a positive experience, however, could only lead to more confusion and no real remedies. It's best to have a plan ahead of time, to develop some semblance of how to put together a good support group, before you even begin to bring your idea to reality.

First, find a public and safe place for meeting. Having strangers gather at your home may not be the best of ideas. If your church, library or school has a community meeting room you may want to check on the availability of such facilities for regular support group meetings.

Try to find a free safe public place to meet.. Not everyone in this situation is going to want to fork over money to help cover the rental tab of such a place, and some people, especially with the cost of raising children today, simply can't afford to do so no matter how small the shared amount due might be.

Next, let others know about your pending plan to start a support group. Post notices on public (again safe) bulletin boards. Place notices in church newsletters, and so on. You can't start a support group if no one knows about it. Use your imagination and your own good judgment here. And don't forget word of mouth also works well, so tell as many people as you can about your idea.

Once you have enough people interested in your group, at your first meeting expect the unexpected. All types of individuals are apt to show up as potential members. Some will be shy and withdrawn, possibly even sad and afraid. Others will appear eager and excited. Some members may be polite, others loud and funny. While a few, and there are always a couple of these, who will be commanding and want to run the whole show their way.

Prepare yourself ahead of time. Understand that while the agenda needs to include

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