Definition of single parent

[Perfect28]

To think that single parent means the other parent is not on the scene at all, or very rarely? I feel like this is often used to mean split from the other parent. To me this makes you a co-parent. How do you define single parent?

I define a single parent as a parent who doesn't live with a partner. One without the other parent in the scene i would call a lone parent.
I in theory co-parent with my ex but i care for them 90% of the time and would class myself as a single parent.

Not this again

I'm single and a parent.
I'm a single parent. The 6 hours per week ex sees them (or used to) doesn't constitite co-parenting.

If the other parent isn't on the scene at all I'd say you're a lone parent.

To me a single parent is someone who isn’t in a relationship with the child’s other parent but they are involved In the child’s life.

I call myself a lone parent as my ex is fully absent no contact at all and no financial support, to me that’s totally different from a single parent with an involved ex so the one in your op is a lone parent, a single parent is just a parent that is single.

and you’ll find Co parenting after a split very rare, there usually more hassle than if they hassle just done a complete runner.
Trust me a dad who sometimes collects his kids for less than 48hours twice a month does not co-parenting make. Neither does it not make you a single or lone parent.

My dh has been working overseas since October, so I currently define myself as a single parent. I make all the parenting decisions, make sure they are fed and taken care of and drive them to their many activities.
But, I am still married and he does support us, so I know others would see it differently.

IMO single parent just means you've split from your child's dad.

@MarciaMarciaMarcia I hope that’s a joke, what a fucking insult to single parents. You haven’t a clue, let’s hope you never become enlightened.

A single parent is the only parent on the scene.

seperated parents who are both involved are Co parents

@MarciaMarciaMarcia youre not a single parent you’re a mum whose spouse is working away for a while 😂

I don't like the term, but I'm a co-parent.

And I'm a single woman.

I'm a single parent, whereas my ex H likes to defines us as 'co parents' to everyone he brags to about what a great dad he is he has them only roughly 12 hours every 2 weeks or so and still thinks that is hard work.

Does it really matter 🙄

I take his wages are still coming into your household? So nothing like being a single parent and having to sort finances yourself.

I'm a single parent (though all but one of my kids are adults now, but they all live at home currently, one is disabled meaning I can't work so am an benefits) My ex pays nothing, and rarely sees them.

No one is going to come home from abroad or pay wages into my account to cover the mortgage etc.

Someone who is solely responsible for keeping a roof over their kids head

I’m not a single parent, but I was the child of one. I would say it’s someone who does the majority of the parenting on their own without much support from their partner.

I often roll my eyes at men who describe themselves as a ‘single parent’ (know quite of few of these!), but only see their dc for like a day/overnight once every 2 weeks.

My cousin used to say this. Conveniently forgetting she benefitted from her DHs 6 figure salary.
Then she became a single parent and realised what an offensive twat she had been.

This is so incredibly offensive to actual single parents! 🤬
I don't see my parents that often as they live far away (but they do support me) -should I call myself an orphan?
I don't see my sister much these days (but I know she's always there for me no matter what) - should I call myself an only child?

You are not a single parent please dont tell people you are, you have no idea what being a single parent is actually like.

🙄

My friend has a child and the father has never been involved so she calls herself a single parent.

Another woman I know co-parents with her ex….it’s not quite 50:50 but pretty close and so she doesn’t class herself as a single parent as she isn’t doing it alone.

A colleague of mine had a child where the father has never been involved with the child but she is now in a serious relationship and lives with her partner. She doesn’t class herself as a single parents as although the biological dad is not around, she is still not doing it alone.

To me a single parent is a parent who lives on their own and pretty much raises the child on their own.

Lone parent is someone on their own without the other parent.
Single parent is when there is still regular contact with the other parent.

I would think of it as someone who raises a child alone, with no help from a partner. Bears all the burden 100%.

My ex didn't see his kids for 8 years, he never once paid a penny towards their care either.

I had no support from his family and I don't have a family of my own so my kids have no aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents etc ... I considered myself a single parent, I raised my kids 100% alone with no help from anyone.

Not this again!! Sigh

I call myself a single parent, the kids dad is on the scene and has them 3 nights every 3 weeks. To me a single parent is someone who is separated from their child's other parent. I would say my kids dad is a single parent too.

A lone parent is someone whose kids have no contact with the other parent at all.

I don't understand why so many people have to make this into a competition of who has it harder! The only time I hear the term used inappropriately is when people say they're basically single parents because their partner works away 🙄