Parenting as a single parent can feel incredibly demanding, not just emotionally, but logistically. There’s no built-in backup, no shared rota, and sometimes no one to hand things off to when life gets overwhelming. While single parenting can bring deeper independence and strong bonds with your children, doing everything alone isn’t sustainable long-term.

A support network doesn’t need to look like a traditional family set-up or a tightly-knit group of long-standing friends. For many single parents, support comes from a mix of people, resources, and communities that help in different ways. Here are some practical steps to start building or strengthening yours.

Start With What You Need Right Now

Support can feel abstract, so it helps to get specific. Do you need emotional support? Practical help with childcare? Someone to talk to who understands co-parenting challenges? Encouragement to get out socially again?

Try writing down three things that would make life lighter this month. Examples might be:

• Another parent to swap school runs with once a week
• Someone to talk to who understands high-conflict co-parenting
• Child-free social time without weeks of planning
• A quick way to ask questions and get advice late at night

Once you’re clear on what would help, you can look for the right kinds of support rather than waiting for a ready-made “village” to appear.

Build Community Intentionally, Not Passively

Friendships don’t always happen by chance, especially as a single parent. Sometimes you have to be proactive, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Start small:

• Say yes to a park meet-up even if you're tired
• Message the parent you chatted to at school pick-up
• Join a local group, class, or club you’ll actually enjoy
• Make plans that don’t rely on childcare (walks, coffee, playdates)

Support isn’t only about help when things are tough. It’s also about people who make life feel lighter.

Use Spaces Designed for Single Parents (Like Frolo)

Not everyone in your everyday life will understand what single parenting feels like. That’s where dedicated communities can help, especially when you need connection with people on the same wavelength.

On the Frolo app, you can:

• Join group chats based on your situation (co-parenting, widowed parents, parenting neurodivergent children, dating again, etc.)
• Join online meetups when you need connection without leaving the house
• Post questions and get answers from people who get it
• Form smaller support circles and friendship groups
• Make plans and meet other single parents locally

It’s support that fits around your schedule, not the other way around.

If you’re looking to connect but don’t know where to start, this is one of the easiest ways to meet people who understand.

Don’t Wait Until You're Struggling

It’s always harder to reach out for support when you're overwhelmed. Building connections when things feel relatively steady means you already have people and systems in place when life gets tougher - whether that’s dealing with a difficult ex-partner, financial stress, illness, or just exhaustion.

Think of it like packing an emergency bag you hope you won’t need. The support might not feel urgent now, but it could be invaluable later.

Support Can Look Different for Everyone

Your network doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It might include:

• A neighbour who takes bins out when you're away
• A WhatsApp chat of parents who understand court-related stress
• Family you stay in touch with weekly
• Friends you only see monthly but who refill your cup
• A community like Frolo that's always there when life feels heavy

What matters most is that you feel less alone, more grounded, and supported in a way that works for your life.

Want to connect with other single parents?
Download Frolo to join meetups, chats, and groups designed for exactly this.

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The Happy Single Parent Course is here to help you feel supported, capable and confident, not just as a parent, but as a person.

👉 Find out more and sign up here.

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