My relationships

As single parents, there’s a lot tied up with our close relationships: looking for support and companionship from family and friends; coping with the loss of a partner; wondering how and when to bring new people and partners into our own and children’s lives. That said, many single parents find that there are lots of positives about being on their own. Having a secure network around you helps with that. 

Many single parents are coping with the breakup of a relationship or the death of a partner. Domestic abuse is a common cause of relationship breakdown. Coercive control can continue for a long time after separation, notably over child contact. Be aware that, when there is domestic abuse, leaving can be a time of increased risk to a non-abusing partner and their children. Your and your children’s safety are vital. It is important to get specialist help. You can find out more from our Advice and Information Service

Collect your favourites

Tip: It’s easy to collect useful info as you go.

Wherever you see a heart icon click on it to save the page to ‘My favourites’. You can go to your favourites by clicking on the heart icon at the top right heart of this website. You can then save the info as a pdf or email it to yourself.

Please remember that your favourites will remain for a while but not for ever. For example, if you clear your browsing history you will lose your favourites.

 

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<!–If you’d like more information or any help with the sorts of things that single parents tell us affect their lives, visit our website . You can find other parents’ stories, answers to common questions and details of our counselling service, advice helpline, online chat and local support. If we can’t help, we can put you in touch with someone who can.–>

You’ll find lots of useful information about health and wellbeing here. If you need advice on issues such as welfare benefits, separation or child maintenance contact our Lone Parent Helpline or chat to us online.

If you need urgent help anytime

  • Phone the Samaritans: free helpline always open at 116 123.
  • Phone 999 if it’s an emergency (for example risk to your or someone else’s life).
  • If it’s a health issue (but not an emergency) phone NHS 24 on 111. More health info at NHS inform.