Most of the single parents out there are women although there are also a few single dads. Some of these single parents have borne their children when they were still young while others were the product of the divorced courts. A few became single parents because their partners are working abroad. Others have been widowed. The difference between single-parent "family" and single-parent "household" The practice of single parenting can be a single-parent "family" or single-parent "household." A single parent family is when there is only one parent and the other parent is completely out of the child's life. Be serious When you are a single parent, you just do not have the time to play games anymore. So when you go out on a date, it should be the real thing or don t do it at all. Take the dating scene very seriously in the sense that you will only go out with people that you feel you can have lasting relationships with. This is because this kind of attention will make the child feel more important and can help them see things in a positive manner. - always listen to what the child says. Kids who have single parents crave for more attention compared to those who live with both of their parents. So, it is a must for a single parent to have greater listening skills when it comes to children who love to tell stories and share their views. So check your community for some support group for young single parents like you. Joining a support group is also a wonderful way to learn from the experience of other people. And because you are still young and are just starting out, having people who have already gone through what you are just going through right now can help you a lot. Seeking a child's support is not a way to get back at his father but a way to help you support your child. If a father refuses a child support, you can ask for government's help. Many States are adopting laws to prevent delinquent parents running away from their responsibilities. 4. How to maintain a civil relationship with your child's father - Experts advice that it is your responsibility as a parent to keep the lines of communication open and maintain a civil relationship with your child's father.