Single Parent Statistics - Do The Stats Show The Real View?
You cannot deny the fact that single parenting is a very hard job. No matter how you may have gotten to be a single parent, it cannot be denied that the road you are traveling on is a very rough one.
As far as single parenting statistics go, there are about 14 million single parents here in the U.S. today. They are responsible for raising 21.6 million of our nation’s children.
The statistics about single parents show that most single parents are mothers. Statistics show that 83.1% of the single custodial parents are mothers as compared with 16.9% being custodial fathers.
Further single parenting statistics show that single mothers are either divorced or separated. There are 45.9% of single mothers that are either currently separated or divorced, 30.5% of single mothers have never been married or 1.7% of single mothers are widows.
Single parenting statistics about single parent fathers who are custodial parents show that 56.4% are either separated or divorced, 23.1% are currently married, 19.7% have never been married or 0.8% are widowed.
There are a lot of struggles that single parents must face. It almost seems as though the deck is stacked against a single parent from the get-go! The single parent has to know how to balance work, housework, childcare, visitation schedules not to mention the children’s activities. When all is said and done, the single parent needs to set some time aside just for his or her very own.
One of the biggest struggles that a single parent faces is the financial one. This is true especially if you are the custodial parent. With a two-parent household, if both parents work, money is usually not such a hot topic.
However, single parenting is not all bad. It is true that your children need guidance, attention and quality time but you can be there for them. Here are some things that you as a single parent can do with your children:
1. Read to your children especially when they are very young. There is never a time when it is too early to read to your children. Even though they may not understand what they hear, your children learn to identify the tone and rhythm of your voice. Nursery rhymes are very good to read to little ones.
2. It is very important that your children feel loved every day. One way of showing your love for them is by tucking little encouraging notes in their book bags so that they find it when they get to school.
3. Make sure that you show your children that there is no going back to past relationships. The only way you can show your children that you are ready to move forward is to close the door on the past.
4. Schedule a regular reading time either after dinner or before bedtime so you can wind down and relax with your children. This is a time to enjoy each other’s company and it provides a good bonding opportunity.
5. Get into an exercise routine and go bicycling with your children. You should work up to about 30 minutes three times a week. This is not only good exercise but a great stress reliever.
Yes, single parenting is not such an easy thing to do, but with more and more single parents nowadays their lot in society is improving. Remember that the most important thing is your children. Make sure that they grow up in a loving and nurturing home and you will be doing an excellent job!
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