Is Being a Single Parent to Be Ashamed Of?

Ideally, a mother and a father should share the responsibilities of raising their children. But not all marriages last. What happens when divorce sets in and one parent is left with the burden of rearing their children?

Single parents can go through much difficulty as they fulfill their obligations to their kids. They have to assume the responsibilities of both a mother and father in the absence of one parent. It is never easy to be in their shoes.

But life has to go on and a single parent needs to be strong physically and emotionally for her children. So long as they have a strong support system, they have the capability to overcome the trials in their situations. In fact, many sole parents have successfully raised wonderful children on their own.

In the United States alone, there are nearly 13 million families with only one parent as of 2006. Figures from the Families and Living Arrangements showed that of the total single parent households, most are run by females at 10.4 million although the number of fathers who raise children on their own are also on the rise at 2.5 million.

It's true that most people have a negative perception about single parenthood. It is often associated with risks in terms of finances and health. Studies have shown that single parents are more likely to experience poverty and poorer health especially for the mothers as well as have problem children. The poverty issue applies mostly to those who don't earn a living funny single mom quotes.

However, this is not always the case. The ability to hurdle such negativity lie in the parent's age, education, financial independence and moral support he or she gets from relatives and friends.

Those who are having difficulty handling their respective families should seek help when necessary. Seeking the support of other single parents is one of the best ways to express your thoughts and fears and get tips. The internet today has various forums or discussion boards catering to specific categories including single parenthood. This is a convenient route because it allows you to chat with parents in the same shoes at home or in your office. If this is not an option, consulting a family and marriage counselor would be helpful.

Opting for family counseling should not only be done in the worst scenario. Family and marriage counselors can provide guidance to parents who are unsure of how to make their situation work for them and their children. Single parents can always approach them when any time they want and not when they're already very depressed.

Being a single parent is not to be ashamed of. It is a reality today and should be accepted in a positive light. This family situation has led to so many success stories so if you're one of them, don't despair but rather strive to do the best you can for the benefit of your children.