The pressures are many for single parents.

What do I mean by that?

The first pressure is trying to be the best parent you can with limited resources and time. The child needs at least two, but you are but one.

The second pressure is often dealing with the break up of a relationship. Circumstances are different some breakups are amicable, some are not.

The third pressure is work. Work can add to the strain and have difficulties dealing with single parents having to prioritise their child over work commitments. This reduces opportunities for the single parent who might have ambitions curtailed by this work life balance.  Your main commitment is with the child and providing a safe and healthy environment for the child. However if the child has difficulties understanding the world of work. 

The fourth pressure is of course education. Which is a place you send a child in the hope they teach them all they need to know to reach their ambitions. However despite being well rewarded they seem to struggle.

The fifth pressure is social as social activities are heavily curtailed as balancing the work, educational leaves little opportunity for such activities. Everybody with their busy lives talk amongst themselves and seldom give opportunity for single parents or even singles to mix. Holidays are often non-existent for single parents.

The sixth pressure is health, this is a challenge for everybody of course.

Now.

The challenge I have for anyone reading this post is what can you do to help both the parent and the child bring normality to such situations.

Certainly you should not blame or add to the pressure of the parent that is the carer for the child. 

When what is required is being a friend and supporting such individuals. Despite these difficulties and pressures we do our best to manage these pressures. 

One of the shocks and surprises on becoming a single parent was how little help and support there was. Attitudes can be quite hostile particularly towards men.

You always imagine a community embracing a child. Doing all they can for the parent to help raise the child. Instead you find yourself largely on your own. Having to go out and find help. Finding very little. 

I do think if you are a bloke it is even more difficult as there is often questioning or quizzical looks, Wondering where's the mother is. What is he doing in this largely women only zone.

Perhaps I shouldn't be so critical but I do so in the hope things improve.

The pressures on being a parent are immense from childhood through teenage years through to adulthood and doubly so when you are a single parent. You can reach out but often this can be a challenge in a world full of busy people with busy lives.

One of the most difficult things to overcome when being a single parent is the isolation. Men in particular do not have the same social circles that woman have that can help overcome the isolation. Often when men try to seek to break this isolation we are told we are not wanted or needed here. We shuffle home and try again tomorrow, if we are able. A tyring business for mind and body.