Chances are, at one time or another you wished you lived in a family with two parents. Maybe you felt "different" and even lonely when you saw some of your friends go off on family vacations or sit together in a big group at school plays or sporting events, while you sat in your small two person family.

Good families come in different sizes and shapes. More than four million sons and daughters live in single parent homes. Most of these homes are headed by mothers. One out of every ten households in which children are being raised is headed by a single father, so you are not alone!

You may have lost the parent who doesn’t live with you through divorce, an accident, or some healthy problem like cancer or heart disease. It’s possible that you never even knew the other human being who shares the responsibility for you being born. Whether you live with Mom, Dad, another relative or family friend, having only one adult around to give you support, guidance and security can be rough. There's just that "one and only" person at home to talk things over with, listen to you, answer questions, and earn the money to pay for things you need and want.
 
Living in a single parent home is a little like getting a half glass of water when you haven’t had anything to drink for days. Sure it will keep you from dying of thirst but after you’ve drunk it you still want more. Think of that half empty glass as your missing parent; the full part is the Mom or Dad you live with. That adult is wants to do everything possible to make up for whatever emptiness there is in your life. Being only human, however, he or she is probably lonely and angry at times, too and maybe even frightened, just like you. It’s not easy to be overworked, trying to be both a mother and father to someone especially if the parent does not feel as if he or she is appreciated for all the time and effort put in.

Even with the normal disappointments and disagreements that living in a single parent home may bring, take pride in the fact that you can handle them, or know enough not to suffer in silence. With respect, love, trust, and understanding, you and your single parent will make it. You’ll strengthen the ties that bind you together and be able to share a happy, proud life with one another.