National Single Parent Day

National Single Parents Day, March 21st, honors the mothers and fathers who stayed down the fort with all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices involved in single parenting. Raising children can be difficult. Doing it alone doubles the strain. Single parents carry a heavy load, whether by choice or circumstance. One person can only do so much between work, school, daycare, doctor visits, and the list goes on.

Many single parents receive help from family members. A large family helps out, just like other families, grandparents, siblings, and others. They should do well, but it's important that they do. According to the 2016 United States Census, 23% of American children live with a single mother and 4% live with a single father.

Being a single parent does not make someone a bad parent. Many single parents will agree that children benefit from the care and love of two parents. However, the work is often done because of one parent's love and a supporting cast.

How to celebrate #nationalsingleparentday

Show your love and admiration to a single parent you know
Make this day a special one for a single parent
If you're a single parent, give yourself a pat on the back
As a single parent, please share your experiences as a single parent
Join a group of single parents for help and encouragement
To post on social media, use the hashtag #NationalSingleParentDay

The national single parent day is the longest single parent day in history

Janice Moglen wrote an article in 1984 with the hopes that Single Parent Day would gain the respect many associate with Mother's Day and Father's Day. She collaborated with Parents Without Partners, a nonprofit that advocates for single parent day, and began to petition for state recognition of Single Parent Day. Parents Without Partners, which began on March 21, 1957, is the day of March 21st. President Ronald Reagan declared Pro Protest 5166 as National Single Parent Day on March 21, 1984.

Single parent FAQ

Q. Is it possible to be a single parent and co-parenting?

A. No. A. No. A. No. A single parent receives little to no assistance from the other parent. They may be receiving financial assistance, but one parent is able to provide the children's day-to-day care. Both parents provide care and protection to the children, although it may be in different homes or with the assistance of a step-parent.

Q. What are some ways to support a single parent?

A. Here are a few of the ways to show your love to a single parent.

While the parent runs errands, goes to a movie, or attends a parent-teacher conference, the child will be able to watch them for an hour or two
Inviting the single parent and their children over for dinner is discouraged. While the adults catch up, let the children play with yours
Family photos will be taken by the photographer
Your children have outgrown their single parent clothing, so give them the single parent clothes
Being a flexible employee, you can be flexible
In activities with your children, including the children of a single parent
Praising the single parent. Let them know they are doing a good job