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Being a Parent

Being a Parent

Before we had children, could we ever have imagined what it would really be like to be a parent?

Toughest job on the planet!
Having children brings emotions and challenges to our lives that we could never have dreamed of. Being a mum or a dad forces us to learn new skills and make new decisions. When we become a parent, we rarely have the time to think about what we have achieved or how we do things. On these pages we have gathered information, advice and also stories from other parents to help us face those challenges.

Share your story
If you’ve had an inspiring experience or have overcome difficulties as a single parent, you could help others by sharing your story – click on Share your story.
Mixed Parentage Families
Mixed race, mixed parentage, dual heritage, the list is endless. These are just a few examples of the labels used to identify children, young people and adults who have one parent who is from a visible minority ethnic group. This particular group experience some very unique problems, one of which is racism. There are many myths, assumptions and a great deal of ignorance about mixed parentage families, yet little research, knowledge and understanding. Here some single parents share their stories.
Toddlers to teens
Being a parent is one of the most demanding and rewarding jobs we can do. Like most things it is more successful if you have confidence in what you are doing and how you are doing it. Many single parents may find this difficult – there is no-one else there to back us up and re-affirm what we are doing. We are often trying to compensate for the lack of another parent in our child’s day-to-day life and, when first becoming a single parent, find a new role for ourselves. Add to this the discrimination and blame we get for all society’s ills, it is not surprising if we are unsure of our parenting skills.
Fathers
Whilst it is true that most single parents with care of their children are women, 11% are single fathers. Do single fathers face the same issues as single mothers, or different ones?
Teenage parents
Being a parent alone there are so many issues to deal with which, even if they are no harder alone, feel it, just because you are alone. This probably rings true for so many teenage parents. It takes so much effort some days but you know you have to give your child everything he or she needs.
Step families
We can all remember bedtime stories of Cinderella and Snow White and how badly their step parents treated them. These and other tales did nothing to improve the image of step families and particularly mothers, or reassure children coming into a new family that they would be treated kindly and loved by a new mum or dad.
Ex-partners
Many people find themselves in a situation where they have difficulties with ex-partners. Ask anyone who has been through a relationship breakdown and they will tell you how difficult and painful it sometimes can be, even without children.
My story
Single parents face many of the same issues and can share solutions, ideas, struggles and successes. It is encouraging to others to know they are not alone and difficulties can be overcome. Here single parents share their stories.