Single parents wear a crazy number of hats: breadwinner, chef, maid, disciplinarian, and more. Even as you do your best, you’ve probably found yourself exhausted, overwhelmed, and isolated. And in the current pandemic, that isolation only gets worse.
But raising your child alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. Spending time with a supportive community that understands your struggle can make life more manageable, improve your quality of life, and dramatically boost your mood. And let’s be honest: it’s important to have someone to lean on when we need a little emotional support.
While sticking to social distancing practices, there are lots of ways to find your people—even if you’re staying virtual for the time being.
Virtual Support
If you don’t mind connecting with parents around the country (or around the world), virtual groups can be a great way to find support. As a single parent, try the ones below as a jumping-off point, but don’t forget that there may be more opportunities within your local community if you search online.
- Facebook groups: If you’ve been on Facebook anytime in the last few years, you probably already know there’s a group for everything. As a single parent, you’ll find options with thousands of members, including the supportive family of Surviving Single Parenthood, but you can also look for local groups for parents in your community or even in your child’s school.
- Meetup.com: Just like Facebook, Meetup offers opportunities for people to reach out to each other for shared interests. Depending on the group, you’ll find in-person activities as well as remote ones, though you may have to look outside of your area to find one if you live in a smaller region.
- MOPS: This group is for “Mothers of Preschoolers.” While in-person meetings once allowed craft sessions or church gatherings, there are plenty of opportunities for remote meetings depending on where you live.
- MOMS Clubs: In the age of COVID-19, many chapters of this community are offering limited public gatherings. Even so, it’s a great way to make friends with other parents for virtual playdates, drive-by honk parades, and other fun activities and support offerings.
Local Support
While many or most of these options may be temporarily suspended during the pandemic, or adjusting their support or services, local organizations are a great way to find groups for single parents. You may have to play detective, but here are some places to try:
- Faith-based groups: Many faith centers have parent support groups, and larger communities might also host some specifically for single parents.
- Your school’s PTA: While most schools aren’t doing in-person PTA meetings, some of these groups continue to meet virtually. Reach out to your school and see if you can get involved, as it can be easier to form relationships with other parents you already know or whose children share classes with yours.
- Public libraries: Your local library offers more group meetings than you know—so it’s a good idea to check for parent-centered events.
- Hospitals: Medical centers often have family life or parenting programs that connect parents through events and support groups.
These support groups can give you a safe place to voice your joys and vent your concerns, a place to cultivate friendships with people who know what you’re going through, and opportunities for practical help when you need it. Make the most of virtual support to help you breathe a little easier during the crazy circumstances of this pandemic, and don’t forget to check out our events for more of the family tips you need.