I think it really helps single parents when they have a supportive family and friend living close by or somewhat close. What do you guys think?

I think that its imperative to have support from your friends and family when your a single parent. Sometimes what keeps us going is the support from our friends and family. Just knowing that your being supported gives you that extra boost that you might need sometimes when you think that you can't do it anymore. I have been there and if it wasn't for my friends, not sure how I would of made it through.

Parenting is hard enough when you have two parents, in a single parent situation it's absolutely necessary for family support, if nothing else to give the child a better sense of family and family bonds

Originally Posted by shadow

Parenting is hard enough when you have two parents, in a single parent situation it's absolutely necessary for family support, if nothing else to give the child a better sense of family and family bonds

Yes this is a good point. It does help to have provide the child or children with a family to be a part of in addition to their single parent.

Well it's almost a written rule that the grandmother gets involved in the childrens lives when the parent is single

I do not know what I would do without my parents involvement in our lives. Now for my inlaws, they are totally uninvolved.

I think having supportive friends and family is vital even for two-parent families - it gives kids a much-needed sense of community. It's even more imperative for single-parent families.