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I've wonder too! I give MAJOR props to single moms!

I think every day how incredible all single moms are! I solo parent 50% of the time but I get DH's wholehearted help the rest of the time (3weeks home/ 3 weeks away) and I just can't imagine how tough it must b to always do it alone!

I've wondered this too! My mom was single mom for a number of years, so I have a special place in my heart for them, especially now that I have a child of my own.

Where are you at single moms? You ladies amaze me!

Ever since becoming a mom, single mom's cross my mind a lot... and I am seriously in AWE of you if you are one!

I give major props to single moms! I don't know how they do it. I'm so thankful for DH and all he does.

I don't know how real single moms OR dads do it. I'm in awe of single parents in general, not just single mothers.

Total props to all the single parents!!!!!

I single parent a lot during the week because my husband works such long hours. It is HARD to be responsible for absolutely everything and to WOH at the same time!

I'm not a single mom in any sense, but just wondering-- what would be your definition of single mom. Like, someone who is divorced, but the dad is still in the kids life, financially, emotionally, is that a single mom? Or, someone who never married the father, but again, he coparents, they just don't live together?

It's pretty clear when dad (or mom) isn't in the picture, but I'm never sure what the gray area is called. Doesn't really matter, just curious.

@Foodnerd81: I struggle with my definition too. I feel like there is a HUGE grey area and that there are definitely different levels of "single" parents.

I probably should keep my opinion of it to myself since it's probably not very popular. lol.

@.twist.: Well, I don't see it as a judgment-- I think any amount of solo parenting has got to be very hard. But I do think there is a difference between doing it truly all on your own with no support whatsoever from the other parent, and having at least financial support and every other weekend kind of stuff. Though-- I'm sure that has its own set of hardships. Seriously not saying one is better or worse or harder or easier, just lots of shades of gray, like you said.

I'm the only non-no vote!!!! lol

I was a single parent from the time G was 2 until I married DH when G was 5. G & I lived with (well really rented from) my mom and she was my childcare while I worked full time & when to school part-time. She was fantastic! Even though she was so closely involved, when I was home I WAS the parent so it really allowed G to have good boundaries with me as the parent & my mom as grandma & caretaker during the day (no dividing & conquering here). Because of the stress my away time ultimately took on G (he began acting out alot more) I ended up quitting my job, making HUGE budget cuts (still paid her rent), and worked for my moms bookkeeping business & now work for her ministry.

It was really difficult being the all around parent G needed, especially in dealing with his dad not being in his life, but we made it work & I'm incredibly proud of the young man he's becoming... It was difficult to be the only one for him to come to all. the. time. I'm also overwhelming thankful to now have DH in our life! I know that I was really anointed to care for G how he needed in that stage but now, it's really DH who is helping G grow into a good man (of course I still am to but you know what I mean).

Even if they do get support it is still tough living by yourself with a child. When my husband goes on trips I really miss him being here to assist with the little things

@Mrsbells: I'm not saying it's not tough. But there's an end in sight. Whereas for a "single parent" there is NO end in sight. No relief to look forward to.

winniebee: This exactly!

@.twist.: @Foodnerd81: @regberadaisy: To me a single parent household is where there is 1 parent most of the time regardless of receiving/not receiving child support.... Even when the non-custodial parent pays their support its usually only a very small portion of what is needed to actually provide for the child. For a period G went to his dads every other weekend so 2 out of 14 days... I would feel pretty demeaned if someone thought I wasn't a single parent just because G's dad saw him consistently. He lived with me full time, I made all parenting decisions on my own minus major surgery or medical decisions, & G's dad played no part in G's character development.

There are those who truly are doing it ALL on their own, but I don't think that diminishes the "single-parentness" of those who still have the other bio-parent in the picture. Co-parenting is more than 52 days a year & 10-20% of ones income.... DH & I co-parent, not me & G's bio-dad.

ETA: I totally wasn't offended or made to feel bad by the conversation or perspective. Just putting in my perspective from the other side. you ladies!

Not a single parent. I solo parent half of the time and I couldn't imagine how hard it is to do it full time. Huge kudos to single parents everywhere.

@Foodnerd81: oh totally not at all! I added a clarification to my comment.

Idk what I would say if G's bio-dad would've been in the picture that much.... Most likely not "single parent.

@runsyellowlites: oh yea, I really didn't intend to offend anyone, I think solo parenting for any length of time is a challenge. My views on the "definition" of single parent come from my personal experiences and the abuse of the term I've seen women use. Anyone that would talk to my husbands ex would assume she is the worse case scenario single parent, but what they don't know is that we buy the majority of groceries and clothing for the boys on top of child support. Not to mention we are practically at her beck and call if she's ever in a bind or just needs a break. But she would never admit that to anyone and I don't think she actually knows what it's like to struggle like some single parents do. My mom was a single mom for a lot of years before she met my dad and she struggled. So my definition is based on my personal experiences. The line, as @Foodnerd81: mentioned is arbitrary.

@.twist.: I think there are always going to be those that are clearly delusional & try and make themselves worse off than they really are. Definitely leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Blegh!

@regberadaisy: Some states do alimony, whereas Texas doesn't, so that could be in that too. Our set up is 20% for the first child & an added 10% for every child following. G's bio-dad has actually called me a money grubbing *#@**# on more than one occasion and he's only required to pay 200 a month AND I've only seen payments that have been intercepted through the IRS and once when his accounts were frozen, that's ~5k in the last SEVEN years. I must admit I laughed on the inside for a couple weeks when he called me about his account being frozen asking me to call the attorney general to get them to lift it. bwahahaha.

@MsMamaBear: I am so sorry you're going through this right now. Good for you for standing up for yourself, though! Your LO (DD, right?) is lucky to have such a strong mom!