I have teamed up with an organization called Operation Single Parents and would like to ask you for a few ideas.  If you are a single parent -- what information and/or services interest you?  Not so much a hand out, but a hand up.  Do you have trouble finding quality childcare or do you need to find a 24-hour daycare?  Do you find it ridiculous all the red-tape you have to go through to get child support issues resolved?  Do you need extra training or perhaps need to go back to school and just can't seem to navigate all the hurdles?  Do you just need to vent to someone?  How do you find affordable housing in a safe neighborhood for your children, and still be able to afford everything else?  What about school districts, is that a concern?

I am a single parent and have been for 17 years.  I chose to stay single and concentrate just on my children, but that is not a choice for everyone.  I ran into housing issues, always seemed to be juggling bills, never seemed to have enough money to pay all the bills just to survive.  Had to make choices as to whether to pay a bill or buy groceries.  Trusted people to take care of my children just as I would if I didn't have to work.  Had to figure out creative ways to fix my cars.  Many times I just wanted to get back in bed and not deal with any more problems.   

Please let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, issues.  I would appreciate your input -- the issues that are your concerns are on the minds of many other single parents.  Maybe we can help each other along the way.

Thank you,

Betty Hairston

Arkansas