As a single parent, perhaps you might sometimes feel that you are alone against the world and feel overwhelmed because of the weight of your responsibility. Nevertheless, it is very important to remember that you do have help available to you. As well as your personal network of friends and family, you can get help from organizations thought especially for people in situations like yours.

You don't have to go it alone.

Being a single parent requires certain adjustments in your behavior and way of thinking, to be able to make the most of your situation. And one of the things that create more stress is the need to do things to perfection or a certain way. Perhaps back when you had someone else with you for support it was possible, but that may no longer be the case.

Honestly ask yourself if it's necessary to have the beds perfectly made before leaving the house, or if all the clothes have to be ironed or if you have to mow the lawn weekly. Make a list of priorities and learn to minimize the importance of things.

Another problem single parents face, having been self sufficient before, is asking for help. You may not be used to asking for help and may think that doing so is a sign of weakness, or that you will be indebted if you do. But there is nothing wrong with asking for help and building a support network with your parents, friends and family. By asking for help you are teaching your children a very healthy part of human relationships.

Asking for help for your child

Sometimes the difficulties of a divorce or the problems that arise from living with a single parent can affect a child. When there is a crisis and a child isn't responding to discipline or rules that are trying to be laid out by a single parent, this can affect the whole family, precisely because there is only one parent to handle it.

If your son's behavior is out of control at home, or if he is being told off at school constantly about situations that are not acceptable it is important to ask for help as soon as possible. Talk to other people that are a part of your child's life, such as teachers, trainers or even friends, to have a clearer picture of what is happening and then, seek help. There are organizations that provide emotional help in these situations.

Organizations that will help you

There are organizations that can offer social, emotional, financial and legal support to single parents. Following, you will find federal resources, non-governmental organizations and also some private ones. Many of them are in English, but they usually have someone who speaks Spanish and can give you the information you need by calling a certain number.

• Office of Family Assistance (OFA)

The Health and Human Services Department of the United States has an Office of Family Assistance. This office provides temporary assistance to families in need, among them families with children under their care

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/

• Women, babies and children (known as WIC program)

This program provides food for babies and children up to five years old.

        http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

• Maternal and Child Health Bureau

This is a program that belongs to the Health and Human Services Department that can help you find health and other related resources in your area.

http://mchb.hrsa.gov/

• State Medical Coverage Program for Children

This is a program that offers medical coverage for low income babies and children.

www.insurekidsnow.gov

• Your Single Parenting (Blog)

Wonderful blog for Single Parents full of useful resources and articles.  Covers topics from Child care to education to enrichment programs, finances, health care, parental support, and much more!

www.yoursingleparenting.com

• MOMS (Mothers on a Mission)

This is a non-governmental organization that provides single parent families aid. They have babysitter clubs and organized activities.

www.singlemoms.org

• Parents Without Partners

This is a private group which organizes events for single parents and their children.

     www.parentswithoutpartners.org

• singleparentsmatcher.com and singleparentlove.com

These two groups provide dating services for single parents.

www.singleparentsmatcher.com

www.singleparentlove.com