About 84 percent of single parents are mothers and sixteen percent are fathers. Forty-five percent of the others become single parents through divorce or separation and fifty seven percent of the fathers become single the same way. (Single parents.com), ( Family.jrank, 2011).
Single parenting is challenging. Parents love their children and would never want to hurt them but some marriages and relationships do not work out. There are options that can be taken to resolve the issues that can happen when a parent becomes a single parent. There is the option of co-parenting. Co parenting is where both parents provide for the child in a physical form. They are active in the child’s day to day life. Although it seem like your life has taken a drastic change it is best to think about the children involved before making a final decision (Remarriage, 2011).
If the decision is made to be a single parent and the child resides with one parent and the other pays support and is only physical active with the child on a part time basis a parenting plan can be prepared Remarriage, 2010. A parenting plan is when the parents get together and discuss how they want to see the adult relationship handled. They can decide ahead who will be involved in what and who cannot. In doing so it will stop conflict before it happens. (Remarriage, 2011)
If the parents does not have a plan and separate in anger it can cause a problem for the children involved and the parents. Divorce separation and single parenting can be very stressful and cause a lot of confusion if the parents don’t have any resources to turn to(Remarriage, 2011)
After going thru a divorce the question about who is going to raise the children and who will pay the support arises.
Throughout the decision to become a single parent there are also financial needs that have to be met to raise a child and it is the parent responsibility to provider for the children regardless if the parents are together for not. Many single parents do not want to relay on the other parent provide financial support. At some point some parents do need financial support and will have to turn to the other parent involved so there needs to be a financial plan set in place to provide the care for the children involved. Some parents will be resentful and not provide support and it will have to be enforced by a local child support agency but always keep in mind the well being of the children because it is all about the children(Remarriage, 2011)Family.jrank: Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://family.jrank.org/pages/1574/Single-Parent-Families-Demographic-Trends.html
Remarriagessucess.com: Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://www.remarriagesuccess.com/single-parenting.html
Singleparents: Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://singleparents.about.com/od/legalissues/p/portrait.htm
