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Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Lone parents

Define 'Single Parent'

32 replies

HanselandGretel · 01/08/2014 10:20

I'm live on my own with my children, no partner. To me that's whats classed as a single parent.

When I was OD some guys would say they were 'single dads', yet on speaking to them further it turns out they don't live with their kids just see them as per arrangements with the mum.

There was also someone who has sole custody of his child but is living with a partner for a few years yet still calling themselves a 'single dad' ....to me that's curious as they are no longer 'single' and are very much parenting with their partner who has loads of input.
It rankles with me a bit to call yourself a single parent but have all the luxuries of a live-in relationship....

OP posts:

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revealall · 10/08/2014 22:09

No I didn't say you wouldn't be a single parent.

I'll give you Ranfander did but I didn't think her comment was about an actual "definition" so much as a complaint about her lot.

My comments were about it being a competition. It's very much an uneven playing field. It's pointless defining single/lone parents because very few of the people within the discription have similar experiences.

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IneedAwittierNickname · 10/08/2014 22:44

In that case I apologise. I miss understood your 1st sentence. :)

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revealall · 11/08/2014 11:43

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Rafanderpants · 13/08/2014 18:22

no, no competition, just explaining my definition and what Im referred to by all and sundry.

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Rafanderpants · 13/08/2014 18:24

Gaah! not 'definition',, meant to say 'situation! 'doing 5 things at once here and typing with half a brain!

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FancyAnOlive · 14/08/2014 21:13

I'm a single parent because I am the only parent my kids have. I conceived them using donor sperm, and don't at all resent other 'single' parents who have a co-parent, but sometimes think we should have different words to describe ourselves...maybe lone parent but am not sure I like that - sounds a bit bleak!

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cheriobaby · 18/08/2014 20:14

A single parent normally has some input from the other parent by way of financial help, sharing childcare and other responsibilities, as a result of a relationship breakdown. Where-as a lone parent has no input from the other parent at all and are or have raised their children alone,this can be due to a number of reasons.