Single Parenting

Single parenting can be an incredibly fulfilling way to build a family. While not always by choice (especially for kin caregivers), it can also simplify many aspects of parenting. At the same time, being a single resource, adoptive or guardianship parent requires greater preparation, support and self-care. Gather resources, accept help and build a solid support system! Please reference our Attachment, Grandparent, Relative & Kinship Caregivers, Grief & Loss, Infertility & Miscarriage Grief, Parent Care, Transracial Parenting & Cultural Diversity, and Trauma pages for more resources.

Websites

ODHS Family Support & Connections Program
Single Mother Guide - lists state programs
ORPARC Resource pages
- Transracial Parenting & Cultural Diversity
- Trauma

Recommended Books & Articles

Single parenting-related materials in ORPARC's library

5 Advantages & 5 Disadvantages of Single Parenting by Mom Junction
8 Ways to Achieve Balance as a Single Parent by Power of Moms
20 Single Mom Survival Tips from Other Single Moms by Care
Adopting as a Single Parent by Child Welfare Information Gateway
Adopting On Your Own: An Interview with Lee Varon by Come Unity
Creating a Support Network as a Single Adoptive, Foster or Kinship Parent by Creating a Family
How Informal Adoptions Became a Mainstay of African American Families (the story of single mom author Nefertiti Austin) by PBS
I Always Wanted to be a Dad by Sirin Kale, The Guardian
Journey to Motherhood: Adopting as a Single Black Woman by Ebony Magazine
Nothing Prepared Me for Adopting as a Single Parent by Amanda Boorman, The Guardian
Parent Adoption: The Process and Experience of Adopting Unpartnered by National Council for Adoption
Single Man Who Grew Up in Foster Care and Adopts Three Boys by Meghan Holohan, Today
Single Parents & Positive Parenting by Raising Children Network AU
Tips for Finding Male Role Models for Kids of Single Moms by Creating a Family
Understanding Single Parent Families by Mona Bapat
What I Wish I Knew About Being a Single Parent Sooner by Fatherly

Culturally specific

Adopting as Single Gay Dad by St. Andrews Children's Society
Children in single parent families by race and ethnicity by Annie E. Casey Foundation
Exploring Tribal Demographic Data Part II by DHS
- Native American Single Mom Haaland by Agence France Press
More Black Mothers are Becoming Single Parents by Choice by Parents

Videos & Podcasts

Adoption as a Single Mom by Adoption Wise Podcast, foster adoptees & foster adoptive parents - authors in ORPARC's library
Fostering or Adopting as a Single Parent by Creating a Family Podcast
Joys & Challenges of Fostering & Adopting as a Single Mom with Molly Ford by Adoption Wise Podcast- authors in ORPARC's library
A Modern Mom: Advice for Single Prospective Foster Parents by Fostering Connections
Sandra Bullock's Path to Single Parenthood by ABC (video)
Single Dad Adoption/Single Parent Adoption by Let's Go Dad (video)
Single Foster Mom Adoption by The Archibald Project (video)
Single man who always wanted kids adopts teenage in foster care by CBS (video)
Single women share why they decided to adopt a child on their own by WDSU (article + video)

Featured Single Parenting Books

Now I am Known by Peter Mutabazi

Single Parenting: Comprehensive Strategies, Personal Empowerment & Building Resilient Families by Alisha Correa

Single Parenting: Comprehensive Strategies, Personal Empowerment, and Building Resilient Families – A Survival Guide for the Single Parent in Today's World: Correa, Alisha: 9798396057630: Amazon.com: Books

The Best Single Mom in the World by Mary Zisk

All Kinds of Families by Norman Simon

Adopting On Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adoption for Single Parents by Lee Varon