Single parent at private school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family is a Single Mother Family and at our previous catholic school we felt really out of place. There wasn't a lot of diversity of family structure and it was obvious in their rigid traditions as well as the comments my kids heard from other kids. Our current school is much better. So my advice is to really investigate the school. If you choose a conservative christian school, expect that the community might not be the most supportive or affirming of your family.

I applied to a Catholic school. At the school play visit the families were of traditional family structure.

That isn't going to be a universal experience at all Catholic schools, obviously, so naming the specific school would be more helpful to OP.

I grew up in Catholic school with a single mom and while there were not a lot of us, it wasn't a big deal.

Thanks a lot for the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family is a Single Mother Family and at our previous catholic school we felt really out of place. There wasn't a lot of diversity of family structure and it was obvious in their rigid traditions as well as the comments my kids heard from other kids. Our current school is much better. So my advice is to really investigate the school. If you choose a conservative christian school, expect that the community might not be the most supportive or affirming of your family.

I applied to a Catholic school. At the school play visit the families were of traditional family structure.

That isn't going to be a universal experience at all Catholic schools, obviously, so naming the specific school would be more helpful to OP.

I grew up in Catholic school with a single mom and while there were not a lot of us, it wasn't a big deal.

+1 non issue at our school.

[Anonymous]

I think the biggest issue will be how you handle it socially. Like will you feel weird going to the school auction without a date when everyone else is there with their husband?

[Anonymous]

Economics are the divide, not marital status.

[Anonymous]

My child has attended two privates, a PK-8 and her current high school. The PK-8 community was terrific, warm, and supportive of each other; her class included children with same-sex parents and other kids with single-by-choice parents. It was also in our neighborhood, which helped a lot in terms of building ongoing relationships with other families. The high school is also a great community but parent interaction is naturally much lower, and I doubt the kids pay much attention to each others' family structures. My recommendation aligns with other posters -- understand the school and its values before sending in the deposit check.

[Anonymous]

We are at a Christian school and are a 2 mom family. We have felt totally comfortable. I’m friends with single moms and married moms. I hang out with people who mesh with my personality not because of who they are or are not married to. My wife works in the evenings so the rare events I go to, I go with other moms anyway, they leave there husbands behind and we do it as a moms thing. I don’t think anyone will care you are single.

[Anonymous]

Single mom, low HHI and DC is welcomed, well-liked and thriving. However, start conversations about money and personal value early and often. I think this has helped DC a lot going into middle school where expensive shoes and water cups, etc seem important to a lot of students and friend groups. I've always said that his value can't be bought and while other families are able to spend money on things and vacations, we have to spend our money elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

My son and I felt comfortable and accepted at his Arlington diocese Catholic school but we didn't reveal to anyone that "dad" was a donor (just in case of bias). No one really asked about the father status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the biggest issue will be how you handle it socially. Like will you feel weird going to the school auction without a date when everyone else is there with their husband?

Ha, funny you should say that. I did lots of volunteering as a single mom, and gave plenty of money, but the auction is where I drew the line. Nope, wasn’t going to go and put myself through that awkwardness. Never did go to an auction the whole way through private school.

[Anonymous]

As a single working class mother, it was a bit challenging to connect with families of such high income and social status at a big 3. However, my DS wasn’t affected but interactions felt awkward as a parent.

[Anonymous]

Here is my perspective as-

Blended family- ✔
New money- ✔
Single parent- ✔
Other parent not involved- ✔
Was on food stamps as recent as 8 years ago- ✔

Do I feel out of my league sometimes? Yes! When I let this mentality take over, I feel awkward at social events and it's harder to connect.

When I remember all that I've accomplished in half the time these other parents accomplished it with twice the amount of obstacles, all of that doubt and awkwardness goes out the window.

They can pass judgement, but the only person's opinion that matters is the opinion I have of myself. I'm doing this for my child and to give them the opportunity they earned and deserve, no social group is going to make me doubt that decision.

We chose a school that is big into giving back to the community. Because of this, we don't feel like a charity case, rather an example of how life changing community can be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is my perspective as-

Blended family- ✔
New money- ✔
Single parent- ✔
Other parent not involved- ✔
Was on food stamps as recent as 8 years ago- ✔

Do I feel out of my league sometimes? Yes! When I let this mentality take over, I feel awkward at social events and it's harder to connect.

When I remember all that I've accomplished in half the time these other parents accomplished it with twice the amount of obstacles, all of that doubt and awkwardness goes out the window.

They can pass judgement, but the only person's opinion that matters is the opinion I have of myself. I'm doing this for my child and to give them the opportunity they earned and deserve, no social group is going to make me doubt that decision.

We chose a school that is big into giving back to the community. Because of this, we don't feel like a charity case, rather an example of how life changing community can be.

Thank you!!!!!

[Anonymous]

The small circle might be an opportunity to meet folks. I think you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, it felt isolating as a single parent. I was the only on in my dc cohort. You may get a more inclusive feel at a public school.