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Single with Baby

The Importance of Networking with Other Parents

By Renee Roberson

Being the parent of an infant is no easy feat, and moms and dads from all walks of life often rely on each other for support and advice during this challenging stage of parenthood. But imagine how much more difficult planning outings and meeting other parents can be when you're flying solo as a single parent.

"As a therapist to individuals and couples, I am a big advocate of both single parents and married parents getting connected with other parents," says Dr. Tina B. Tessina, psychotherapist and author of Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Tings That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Adams Media, 2008). "The best way for any single parent to get support, companionship and more free time is to network with other single parents."

But for many parents, this is often easier said than done.

"I have made a deliberate effort to meet single parents, but it has still been hard," says Judy Welage from New York, who became a single mom when her daughter was 10 months old. "Single parents are very overwhelmed and have little – if any – time. They are stretched to the limits, both emotionally and physically."

Welage says she scoured the city looking for support groups for single parents, but didn't have much luck. She decided to remedy the situation by starting her own group at the McBurney YMCA in New York City. "When I started the group, I simply wanted women to feel there was a place they could come and discuss whatever is on their mind," Welage says. "It's been going on for about a year now. The Y has graciously provided us with a room as well as free babysitting; for a brief period we had an intern social worker to help keep things on track."

Dr. Tessina says there are many ways for single parents and their children to meet other parents, including childbirth and parenting classes, daycare settings, schools or even at the pediatrician's office. "With these parenting networks, parents of similar age children work together to share carpooling, babysitting, information and support," Dr. Tessina says. "It's especially important for single parents, because other working parents can help you find daycare and take turns taking the children overnight so the parent who gets the evening off could get some things done, relax, date or have a quiet evening alone."

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