Definition of "single mom"

I'm not posting this in Single Parenting forum because I'd like to get ALL types of moms' opinions.

What would you consider a single parent? A mom who isn't married but in a relationship? A mom who isn't in a relationship but who receives child support and/or shares custody? Or a mom who is patenting 100 percent without a partner?

I've heard the term "single parenting" applied to so many different situations so I was just wondering what some others thought.

It's up to the mother to decide that.

A mother. Who is single. = A single mother.

My sister is in a long distance relationship so technically she isn't a single mother. As she raises her babies without the help of their father, she is a solo parent.

Ipso facto ... Yeah.

I consider myself a single parent. I provide for the kids on my own (well besides christmas I take out a loan from my parents until tax time) I don't get child support. Also their dad has them 24 hrs a month.

I considered myself a single mom when I was not in a relationship with my son's father. Most of that time I was single in general, but for some time I was in a relationship with someone else. I still considered myself a single mom though because the guy wasn't involved in parenting.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Faith1LovesMLP:</b>" It's up to the mother to decide that."</blockquote>




This.

I classified myself a single mother until the day I said I do to my husband. Even though we lived together for 2 years prior to getting married. That is just how I felt for my situation. But of course every mother is going to be different as to what they classify themselves as.

Ummm, ok, when I think of a "single mom" I think of a woman not in any relationship with her child's father(s), or anyone else actively aiding in caring for the kids.

Generally speaking, of course.

I'm a single mom. I have no boyfriend, and my child's father is not involved in any way. I will consider myself a single mom until I either have a boyfriend that acts as my child's father, or I am married

Quoting LumpySpacePrincess:" A mother. Who is single. = A single mother. My sister is in a long distance relationship so technically ... [snip!] ... isn't a single mother. As she raises her babies without the help of their father, she is a solo parent. Ipso facto ... Yeah."

That said .... It's really one of those blurry personal lines.

I consider someone a single parent if they are an unwed parent and not with the father of the child.

I think of a mom that's single. Whether she gets child support or not.
I'm a single mom. Solo parent.
My friend is a single mom but coparents.

Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:" Ummm, ok, when I think of a "single mom" I think of a woman not in any relationship with her child's father(s), or anyone else actively aiding in caring for the kids. Generally speaking, of course."

Agreed.

no relationship. you're either single or your not. If you have a companion, you're not single.... it's not rocket science.

Quoting LumpySpacePrincess:" A mother. Who is single. = A single mother. My sister is in a long distance relationship so technically ... [snip!] ... isn't a single mother. As she raises her babies without the help of their father, she is a solo parent. Ipso facto ... Yeah."

That's me right now. I do everything because he's setting up for us in another state. But I am still doing it alone.