Family - Whanau

Single parents

Parenting separately or alone, can be very busy and difficult at times. It can also be fun and rewarding.

Many times single parents discover they are capable of doing more than they ever thought possible and that they have skills they did not know they had. They become more self-reliant and less co-dependent upon others.

Some ways that may help you manage while parenting alone are:
•    accepting offers of help from trusted friends and family/whānau and also asking for help
•    having a regular time when someone else cares for your child, to give you a chance to do something for yourself
•    Remembering to show your children that you love them every day
•    if you have trusted friends with children, you may like to take turns caring for each other’s children. This gives you both time out
•    meeting other parents in support or play groups. Talk to Plunket staff about what is available in your area. Some areas also have groups for single parents
•    If your child’s other parent is not able to be around, a family member or close friend could be a role model and give your child special attention

"Plunket has been my main support. I attend a young mothers’ group with other people in my situation",  Rhonda, Palmerston North

Single Parents is a New Zealand based, self help group devoted to the interests of single dads, mums and their children.