What is a “single parent?”

[Anonymous]

Is a single parent simply a divorced parent (shared custody, etc), or as one where the other parent is completely out of the picture? I feel like it is the latter but many also just refer to as a divorced parent? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

A person who is not married and is a parent. Everything else is presumption and interpretation.

[Anonymous]

If you are “just curious,” search this forum for many threads on this question which all devolve into nasty exchanges.

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen widows describe themselves as single moms. Also divorced moms and moms who were never married.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve seen widows describe themselves as single moms. Also divorced moms and moms who were never married.

And dads of course...

[Anonymous]

Single should be marital status. But, everyone who is not married is claiming that term as a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A person who is not married and is a parent.

+1, at least generally speaking.

If we are specifically talking about a context where the term "single parent" is being used to paint a picture of hardship or destitution, then I think it's misleading to omit the fact that, oh by the way, there's an awesome involved second parent who has 50% custody and pays for half the activities and tuitions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve seen widows describe themselves as single moms. Also divorced moms and moms who were never married.

Widows are true single parents. Parents who have a co-parent are not really solo parenting which is how the term sounds when used.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A person who is not married and is a parent.

+1, at least generally speaking.

If we are specifically talking about a context where the term "single parent" is being used to paint a picture of hardship or destitution, then I think it's misleading to omit the fact that, oh by the way, there's an awesome involved second parent who has 50% custody and pays for half the activities and tuitions.

Or, the other parent pays a lot in child support, plus extras like activities and clothing and takes all visitation time the can get.

[Anonymous]

If you get no breaks for extended periods, I consider that a single parent


So kid spends 2 weeks with mom then 2 weeks with dad? Not a single parent.

Kid spends most of their time with mom but flies to dad's for vacations and parts of summer? I consider that to be a single parent

A widow/widower is a single parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A person who is not married and is a parent. Everything else is presumption and interpretation.

This, with the only possible exception being people who are in long term partnership with their child's other parent, but just haven't gotten married.

[Anonymous]

I believe it's a parent raising kids with no other parents. Divorced parents who are getting child support and get to give their kids to dad every other week don't really count.

My dh often goes overseas for months at a time and we have toddlers (not military) and I would never consider myself a single parent. It's hard AF, but not the same thing at all. I get his salary still and he does send me texts of encouragement. I do say I'm flying solo sometimes though.

[Anonymous]

Op it's you most likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you get no breaks for extended periods, I consider that a single parent


So kid spends 2 weeks with mom then 2 weeks with dad? Not a single parent.

Kid spends most of their time with mom but flies to dad's for vacations and parts of summer? I consider that to be a single parent

A widow/widower is a single parent

If a parent is getting child support, especially a larger sum but Dad only gets visits, that is not a single parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe it's a parent raising kids with no other parents. Divorced parents who are getting child support and get to give their kids to dad every other week don't really count.

My dh often goes overseas for months at a time and we have toddlers (not military) and I would never consider myself a single parent. It's hard AF, but not the same thing at all. I get his salary still and he does send me texts of encouragement. I do say I'm flying solo sometimes though.

Flying solo is a great term for it.