REFORMING
19 96
PARENTAL RESOURCES
Click here to learn more about how slavery affected African American families. This resource explains how Slavery not only inhibited family formation but made stable, secure family life difficult if not impossible.
Child support is a big economic issue in the Black community. Click here to learn more about Child Support and its impact on the Black Family.
If you want to become more financially stable, the first step is to get your financial life organized. One of the best ways to do this is to make a budget. The idea of budgeting can sound intimidating, but a budget is just a way of understanding where your money is coming from and where it's going. Click here to learn how to Budget, even when you’re on a low income.
Need advice on how to co-parent? Check out this blog. Here is also an awesome co-parenting communication guide.
Feeling stressed? Call the anonymous National Parent Helpline at 1-855- 4A PARENT(1-855-427-2736) to get emotional support. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday 10:00am PST (1:00pm EST) to 7:00pm PST (10:00pm EST.) If you need support outside of these hours, call the Parent Stress Hotline. This confidential service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Have you heard of Parental Alienation, also known as Malicious Parenting Syndrome? If not, check out this family law blog to get informed. Although parental alienation is common in divorce and custody proceedings, I believe it is more common involving cases with unmarried parents. Because unmarried couples are more likely to go through the OCSE where they do not have the ability to formulate visitation, custodial parents may alienate their child from the noncustodial parent without penalty. Research shows parental alienation can negatively impact your child(ren.) Parental alienation can create distrust between the parent and child, create even more of a strain between parents, and even worse, can lead one parent to withdrawal from their child to spare further conflict. Let's end this together. Our children deserve it.
CUSTODIAL PARENTS
Dear unmarried custodial parents: Thank you for loving through your pain, working through your tears, and making it all look so easy. You are by far the strongest, and best to ever do it. You are deserving of love, respect, and honor. I see you and you matter.
Need some tips on how to survive as a single parent? Click here for an ultimate guide to being a single mom: 17 surviving to thriving tips.
Are you struggling with depression? Missing the “old you?” Before the heartbreak? Before the breakup? Not understanding how the noncustodial parent gets to “go off and live their life” while you’re stuck at home? Wondering how they can “move on” so quickly, while you’re all alone? Click here for a healing plan and tips on how to cope with betrayal trauma. This is not how your story will end.
Need single parenthood support?
Consider joining a weekly Single & Parenting group, where you’ll meet with other single parents to learn and discuss some parenting strategies.
Parents without Partners help single parents with opportunities for building confidence, individual growth, and consciousness towards others. This is a support group where parenting techniques are shared in a safe space that encourages friendship. It affords parents the chance to meet with like minds and develop a sense of belonging, thereby reducing isolation. Visit their website for more details.
Helping Hands for Single Moms provides funding, scholarships, and counseling for single mothers who decided to return to school even after having children. Areas covered are Phoenix, Arizona and Dallas, Texas. Founded by Chris Hoffman, the goal is to help low-income single moms obtain a college degree. Other resources, such as career guidance and support groups are available.
NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS
Dear unmarried noncustodial parents: Thank you for working diligently, with little to no credit. I know you have a lot of pressure on you. I know you feel like no one understands. Rules and policies were not created with you in mind, but you will not be defeated. I see you and you matter.
Need to modify your child support order? Located in SC? Complete the South Carolina Self-Represented Litigant Child Support Modification packet online using a free interactive program. This program allows you to quickly and easily complete the child support modification by answering simple questions online.
Want to estimate how much child support may be ordered in your case? Consider using South Carolina’s Child Support calculator.
Have you made attempts to see your child with no luck or cooperation from the custodial parent? Realizing the importance of both parents being involved with the child, South Carolina’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD) has initiated a pilot project called Visitation Involvement Parenting (VIP), in which the CSSD provides mediation services for the parents to establish a plan for access and visitation so that the child will have the benefit of both parents taking an active role in their life.
Have a child support legal issue? Child Support Made Simple (CSMSx.) is an unique mobile app aims to help parents with child support legal issues. It has a full index of glossary terms, uses plain language, and even has instructional videos to guide. This app is user-friendly and available for download for $7.99.
Need support? Follow @fathersareimportant, @dear.fathers, and @fathers_matter_2332 on Instagram for community and encouragement. You can also contact Black Men Heal or Therapy for Black Men to see if sponsorships are available for free therapy sessions. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee of receiving free services.