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Single parenting takes on the difficult job of raising children and multiplies it exponentially! Only one who has been there can understand how hard it is to do this job alone. Statistically, most single parents are women. Most children living in poverty are living in single parent female households. Being a woman alone, with children, is just about the most economically disadvantaged situation one can be in. As a parent, you have already figured out that your needs come second to your child's needs. But as a single parent, that fact can be even more problematic. When you have a partner, at least some of your own needs are being met, as well as being able to share the load of running a household, child raising decisions, and financial burdens. When you are without a partner, you are it! The mother, the father, the provider, the virtual everything, with no one to lean on. This is not a job any sane person would sign up to do alone, and yet so many of us end up here anyway. Being a single person also brings up personal issues like when or if you should date again and the ramifications of that choice on your children. There will be rules about second marriages, step parenting, blending families, financial obligations to your children, ex-spouses, child support, visitation and a host of other messy situations and scenarios where the kids are usually the ones who suffer, especially if these decisions are made selfishly. All the more reason to redouble your efforts to be the best parent you can be, to seek help and support where you can and to know that, even alone, you can still raise a great kid! I hope the following articles can provide you with resources, help with the unique issues you face, inspiration and most of all, the knowledge that you have lots of company on this journey.
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