Single Parent Families Get Help To Cope

Mon., March 20, 1995

Lynn Gibson Correspondent

Families in America are changing. One of every four American children lives in a single-parent home.

While most single-parent homes are the result of divorce, one-third are due to the death of a spouse, an unplanned pregnancy or a separation.

Single parents have one thing in common, and that is their need to cope with a variety of difficult issues. Those issues are addressed in an informative brochure called “Single Parenting: What You Need to Know” from the American Academy of Pediatrics. A child raised in a single-parent home can do just as well as a child in a two-parent home if issues such as custody arrangements, child support, child care and parental dating are handled with sensitivity and planning. Providing open communication and a supportive environment also contributes to the child’s well-being.

For further information on these topics and more, ask your pediatrician for a free copy of “Single Parenting: What You Need To Know” or write: American Academy of Pediatrics, Division of Publications, 141 Northwest Point Blvd., P.O. Box 927, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927.

Newsletter for single moms

The National Organization of Single Mothers is committed to helping single parents meet the challenges of daily life with wisdom, dignity, courage, resourcefulness and humor.

Its bimonthly newsletter, SingleMOTHER, offers updates on national issues relevant to single parents, tips from readers and a Q&A section answered by experts.

For a free copy, send a self-addressed envelope containing two stamps (or $12.80 for a year’s subscription) to: SingleMOTHER, P.O. Box 68, Midland, NC 28107.

Child-rearing principles

Holy Family Hospital is presenting an eight-week course designed to prepare parents for the challenging tasks of parenting a child from birth through age 5.

“More Yes, Less Stress … The ABC’s of Parenting” will begin Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Health Education Center at Holy Family Hospital. The cost is $30 for an individual/$40 per couple, which includes a handbook. Pre-register by calling (509) 482-2477.

Host families wanted

Worldwide International Student Exchange (WISE) is looking for Inland Northwest families, including single-parent families, who would like to host a high school student from Europe, South America or Japan for the 1995-96 school year.

The students speak English and bring their own spending money and insurance. Host families are asked to provide room and board as well as involvement in family life. Applications will be accepted until May. For more information, call Marcia Dorwin at (509) 926-1883 or the WISE office at (800) 264-0948.

Solutions for working parents

With more women than ever working outside the home, busy lifestyles create challenges for the family unit. In a new book, “Tips for Working Parents: Creative Solutions to Everyday Problems” ($7.95 Storey/ Garden Way Publishing), author Kathleen McBride addresses working parents’ special concerns in a concise style.

Chapters include choosing the best child care available, efficient home maintenance, feeding the family quickly and cost-effectively and more. To order, call (800) 441-5700.

MEMO: The Family Track appears weekly on the Families page. Send items of interest to families to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

The Family Track appears weekly on the Families page. Send items of interest to families to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.