NATIONAL SINGLE PARENT DAY
On March 21st, National Single Parents Day honors the mothers and fathers holding down the fort with all the hard work, devotion, and sacrifices involved in single parenting. Raising children can be challenging. Doing it without a partner doubles the burden. Whether by choice or circumstance, single parents carry a heavy load. Between work, school, daycare, doctor visits, and the list goes on, one person can only do so much.
#NationalSingleParentDay
Many single parents find support from family. Much like other families, grandparents, siblings, and other extended family help out. It's important that they do. According to the 2016 U.S. Census, 23% of American children live with a single mother and 4% live with a single father.
Being a single parent doesn't make someone a bad parent. Many single parents would agree that children benefit from the care and love of two parents. However, the love of one parent and a supporting cast often get the job done, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SINGLE PARENTS DAY
- Show your support and appreciation to a single parent you know.
- Make this day a special one for a single parent.
- If you're a single parent, give yourself a pat on the back!
- Share your experiences as a single parent.
- Join a group of single parents for support and encouragement.
- Use #NationalSingleParentDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL SINGLE PARENT DAY HISTORY
In 1984, Janice Moglen wrote an article with the hope that Single Parent Day may one day gain the recognition many connect with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. She collaborated with the organization, Parents Without Partners, and began to petition to have states declare recognition of Single Parent Day. The day of March 21st coincides with the inception of Parents Without Partners, which began on March 21, 1957. Proclamation 5166 was presented to, and signed, by President Ronald Reagan declaring March 21, 1984, as National Single Parent Day.
Single Parent FAQ
Q. Is being a single parent and co-parenting the same thing?
A. No. A single parent receives little to no support from the other parent. They may receive financial support but the day-to-day care of the children is provided by one parent. Co-parenting involves both parents providing care and support to the children though it may be in different homes or with the assistance of a step-parent.
Q. What are some ways to help a single parent?
A. Some of the ways to show support to a single parent include:
- Offering to watch the children for an hour or two while the parent runs errands, goes to a movie, or attends a parent-teacher conference.
- Inviting the single parent and children over for dinner. Let the children play with yours while the adults catch up.
- Offering to take family photos.
- Giving the single parent clothes your children have outgrown.
- Being a flexible employer.
- Including the children of a single parent in activities with your children.
- Praising the single parent. Let them know they are doing a good job.
