S NGLE
PARENT By Clay Morrison
B
eing a single parent can be a difficult time, especially when the child is very young. Not only is it tough for the parent to come to terms with the fact that their entire life has changed permanently, but it is also necessary to figure out exactly what being a parent consists of, what the best methods and techniques associated with raising a child are, and how some semblance of normality can be reacquired.
What are the facts? Research carried out as part of the 2016 Census discovered that there are close to one million single-parent family homes in Australia. Estimates would suggest that this accounts for 14% – or one in seven – of all homes in which a child is resident. This is something that very often slips under the radar, and so difficulties are often not discussed, and therefore difficulties can worsen. Single parents can very often struggle to balance work, supporting their children, having a social life and ensuring that they have access to all of the necessary financial assistance that will get them from one month to the next. Financial worries are one of the main reasons that some parents end up staying together; in fact: 20% of those who decided against leaving their partner said they could not afford to separate (according to research from Direct Line). So, with that in mind, what can single parents do to ensure they are able not only to cope with the early stages of their child’s life, but be in the best possible position to ensure they can live without unnecessary stress or burdens? continued next page...
16 Peninsula Kids – Winter 2020