by Paula Mitchell-Bentley

Created on: January 20, 2009

Being a single parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world. The most important job is to raise children and to take this on alone is like one person running an entire company. There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. This is because parenting alone is so demanding and stressful. When you take on the roles of both mother and father, it is easy to lose your own individual sense of identity.

Any kind of support that you can get as a single parent is greatly needed and beneficial. Whether it's financial support, physical support or emotional support, it's usually a welcome respite for single parents. Support groups can be a great source of support and information for single parents.

Support groups usually have a leader. Someone who has training and experience being a single parent can offer to other parents a great role model. Talking to other single parents who know what you're going through will lead other parents to know that they are not alone. This sense of loneliness can be quite extreme in single parents who spend much of their time with their children and little time with other adults.

These support groups can also serve as a resource to expand single parent's social circles. Many times, single parents do not have friends in their same situation. It is so nice to be able to meet new friends that know what you're going through. It is common for single parents to have friends who are able to go out spontaneously while parents with kids need to plan things in advance to arrange a sitter. These friends without children just don't understand what it's like to be a parent.

Support groups can also give you information on where to find resources that single parents might require. There will be several people there whose children are in daycare and may be able to provide names and numbers for reliable childcare. Single parents may also find other resources available to them such as governmental supports, subsidies, casual babysitters who can be trusted or even just fun ideas of things to do with the kids.

Groups for single parents can also serve as a social outing of sorts. These groups can be an opportunity for the parents to get some time away from their children without feeling guilty. Many support groups even have childcare on the premises to ensure that it's easy for parents to come to meetings. Even when children are loved unconditionally and totally, it is necessary to take a breather and have time without them. Support groups can provide a reason to get out of the house and get a temporary respite from the all consuming job of being a single parent.

It is so important for single parents to know that they are not alone. To know that you can successfully raise children without a partner. To know that they are supported and respected as parents and individuals. Support groups can help to fill the gaps where some of these needs might not be being met.

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