I know that we have single parents on this board, but I also know that we have married members who have to act as single parents quite a bit due to a spouse's military or job commitments.

What do you find are your biggest challenges? Do you have family nearby that helps you? Are you able to carve some time out just for yourself?

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You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

I am not a single parent now but I was for about 3 years. Now, I am home with the kids while DH works. Oldest DS is in 1st grade. Anyway one of the biggest challenges for both times is disciplining. I believe in discipline but it is hard to do by yourself. Although, I have done it and it is possible I find it difficult to do by yourself. Also having alone time during the day, before it would be when DD would take a nap. Now I have a baby who I am trying to put on the same nap schedule so I can have relax/ alone time mixed in with some cleaning time

I got a divorce when dd was 5, and didn't remarry till she was 25!

The biggest challenge I had was keeping everything in balance. I was trying to be super mom, business woman (I started my own business) and mom and dad. Even though her dad was in the picture.

I didn't want to focus and make everything about her, because that would be smothering her and then I was afraid that she would grow up thinking the world was all about her.

The hardest part for me is having my old friends who are still able to go out or hang out (and don't even think to invite me) and then my new mom friends. I am the only unmarried one in the group, one of the few living in an apt, and I always feel like my house is messier. I have a problem with comparing myself because I feel like they have what I want- a home & someone to share my life with. I do have an SO but he's only there on weekends and can only help so much (he's not my maid and I don't want to make him one).

Have you seen the movie Georgia Rules? that's my mom....

my mom was a single parent with 3 girls.. We would often VOTE on things.. and my mom always got 2 votes.. That way she could break a tie braker and change the out come.

We had chore list that rotated weekly. And she was strict about it. She also started sunday family meetings.. We could talk about anything in a 'meeting' and then things would change from there. But we felt safe to discuss it and talk about everything. Communication is huge for a single mom.

I am married to a farmer and for 3-4 months in the spring and fall I am a single parent. Only seeing him for an hour at most daily. We are able to survive because of the skills I was raised with. I don't ask him what he wants for dinner.. I just make it. I don't ask him if I can go to the store.. I go. Being an independant person helps. I don't have the house daddy time husband. He doesn't help around the house, yard ect. But my snow is plowed, the gas for the lawnmower is always there and my car is maintained for me.

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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

Good job, Mom!! That's the route I'm taking too. I've been single for 11 years...7 more to go and you'll see me on Mom's Gone Wild The years are certainly worth it when I look at two great kiddos!!

My biggest challenge: Finding time for myself. I'm constantly on the go and am often running on "tired." Everything has to get done and I'm the one to do it! Just yesterday I had a friend say to me that I have two modes...Mommy Mode and Work Mode. That doesn't leave much time for anything else! All in good time though.

Second biggest challenge: Not having anyone in the house that I can share my day with or hear about his...not crawling into bed and snuggling up or late night talks about grown up stuff. For me, its either work or kids...or cleaning or being taxi mom or....

At the same time...I wouldn't change it for the world! 7 more years to go!