I've been a member of SPW for the last few years, and have found the group a huge support. More recently, I've helped some of our single parents through my work by helping them to buy their own homes, buy out exes, remortgage and straighten out their finances using the equity in their homes. Many of those conversations have started with "I don't think I will be able to....", so I've started a series of blogs on lending issues that are likely to arise post Covid. I know first hand that single parents often feel these pinches more than anyone. This first blog is about mortgage lending with adverse credit, which is often more possible than people realise.

We play as children throughout our development, so why, as we grow up, do we stop having all the fun and games? Life becomes busy, stressful and we have excessive responsibilities. So sometimes, we forget what it is or what it’s like to just let go a little. BUT the importance of taking time for ourselves, is one of the main ways to keep our mental health on track! Fortunately for us, the development of games were introduced to help people reduce stress. Wellbeing First let’s talk about wellbeing.

After First Minister, Mark Drakeford’s announcement on Friday many single parents were relieved that they had been considered and listened to during this pandemic. It had high hopes of making them feel, less isolated, lonely, more seen and understood. However, the current announcement left many single parents feeling worse.

Even before this pandemic research consistently showed that single parents are likely to experience loneliness and isolation. Loneliness and isolations has always been a big issue for single parents and something that is brought up over and over again with SPW members. 

Even before this pandemic research consistently showed that single parents are likely to experience loneliness and isolation. Loneliness and isolations has always been a big issue for single parents and something that is brought up over and over again with SPW members. 

As part of the Move More Eat Well project we gathered some of our best recipes to share. Which are both healthy and quick. Plus include some takes on our favourite meals. Check out the tortilla pizza and one pot bolognese, both genius recipes.

There is alot of information and continuously changing rules and guidelines around Covid-19. We have collected some links and useful information for single parents in Wales to access around coparenting, contact and where they stand with all of this. 

Who would have believed it? There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has taken us all by surprise. Even those who should have been better informed on the risk of a pandemic sweeping the globe have been caught out! (Coronavirus: World must prepare for pandemic, says WHO).

Who would have believed it? There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has taken us all by surprise. Even those who should have been better informed on the risk of a pandemic sweeping the globe have been caught out! (Coronavirus: World must prepare for pandemic, says WHO).

Sophia Mico gives us some tips on how to speak to our children about racism.

Who would have believed it? There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has taken us all by surprise. Even those who should have been better informed on the risk of a pandemic sweeping the globe have been caught out! (Coronavirus: World must prepare for pandemic, says WHO).

Who would have believed it? There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has taken us all by surprise. Even those who should have been better informed on the risk of a pandemic sweeping the globe have been caught out! (Coronavirus: World must prepare for pandemic, says WHO).

Single parents in and around this pandemic seem like a forgotten and underrepresented group of people. There are so many complex and hard hitting issues that we at SPW are hearing and seeing being discussed by our members. From loneliness to anxiety and trying to get a food shop shop slot, to everything in between we are hoping to voice these issues, and document some of them.

It was suggested on the group that we come up with daily ways of combatting the negativity and loneliness and isolation that single parents might feel during the Covid-19 outbreak, and uncertainty in these times.

When I first split from my partner the idea of dating somebody new was not at the top of my priority list, it was more about finding a new house and keeping a 4 year old and a newborn alive on my own.

I posted on our Single Parents FB closed group asking for single parents experiences around online dating, and oh my god, the responses were both funny and concerning. I myself haven’t had any bad experiences with online dating, but I have only been on 3 dates in 5 years, so maybe I’m not the best person to ask. Which is why I reached out to gain some more understanding of this online dating world.

When children are ill it is gross any way, but I realised whilst holding my child’s poo in my hand last night, that when you are a single parent it is extra tough. But mostly I was struck with… The guilt

The thought of another woman ‘mothering’ my little boy has always filled me with dread and fear. A woman I know absolutely nothing about, a woman playing ‘happy families’ with my son and his father, taking over from me.

Teaching your child to ride their bike is right up there with the first time they walk etc. It’s a huge moment for any child learning to ride their bike. Also it is something that single parents express that is especially a proud moment for them as they have done it, often, alone. So we have some tips from Bikeability Wales so that you can tick this off your list of what a super hero parent you are.

My personal feelings after being on a ramble with my children is that my head is clearer, I have roses cheeks and a spring in my step, and the biggest bonus is that my children sleep like, well babies, actually not babies as they don’t sleep well at all, they sleep like logs.