Single parent support - both mums and dads :)

[CuriousFlo]

HI :)
I am a student at University and am writing my dissertation on single parents - I want to understand how supported lone parents feel by their communities, schools, councils, peers and charitable bodies.
It would also be interested to know how people find dating as a single parent?
Interested in the experiences of both single mums and dads!
Thank you in advance for any replies - I really appreciate it :) Even if it is just a sentence - any insight would be amazing

Hi,

I'm not interested in dating, so can't comment on that.

I recently moved to a new area, just me and my son. We were quickly accepted in to the community. Having said that, 'community' is a big thing, here. It's noticeably different to where I'm from.
I knew absolutely no-one; hadn't even heard of the place until 48 hours before we moved here.
I'm an atheist, but we went to a church event - it was in the run up to Xmas. I think that made all the difference. People were kind and very accepting. A parcel of Xmas treat food was dropped off to us.
When I first found a job, people offered to help out with child care while I got sorted.
I was dreading the new school gates, but I was actually approached on the playground after a few weeks and invited to join a social group.
I honestly don't feel looked down on. In fact, I think people/school make more of an effort because I'm a lone parent.

I wonder if it's because so many people here are 'incomers' - it's SW and close to the coast.

Hi there!
Thank you so much for your comment.
I'm really glad you were so accepted in your new community and that everyone was so welcoming :)
I was wondering - do you think things would have been different if you were a dad?
Thanks again for replying - such a good insight :)
Flox

In my experience single dads tend get lots of help and more credit than single mothers do. Similarly, mothers who 'leave' their children are vilified in a way that fathers aren't.

That’s really interesting - thanks so much!

Dating is near impossible if you don't have family or expartner around to look after the kid/s. Basically leaving the house of an evening is a rare event. Money is tighter so less chance to pay for babysitter.