New resource for single mothers

News bulletin: 4 August 2009

Single parenting in Victoria gains recognition with the launch of the new publication Single Mothers: a resource for parenting solo on Thursday 30 July 200.

In Australia, single parents head up one in five families with children under the age of 15 and 87% of these are single mothers.

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ definition for families; however, as a single parent added pressures, from financial to emotional, can be significant.

Statistics collated by the Parenting Research Centre reveal that single parent families have 47% less disposable income than coupled families.  It has also been estimated that 25-40% of all single mothers have experienced family violence.

Single Mothers: a resource for parenting solo recognises these added pressures and underlying issues.

The publication provides practical parenting assistance for parents and puts into effect the Helping Working Families initiative.

Developed in close consultation with mothers, the publication adopts a strengths based approach to address and discuss the real concerns faced by single mothers.

It offers advice on coping with change, connecting with children, keeping healthy and provides information on how and where to get help and support.

With the launch of the new resource, the Parenting Research Centre will also receive funding so that it can continue to provide research, evaluation, training and information resources for parents.

For more information and to download this new resource, see: Single Mothers Resource