18 Mar 2024 Three ways to recognize National Single Parent Day on March 21
LITTLE ROCK — There’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and even Grandparent’s Day, but did you know there’s also a day for single parents?
Every year, National Single Parent Day is celebrated on March 21. It was first observed in 1984 when President Ronald Regan signed Proclamation 5166, marking the date to “recognize the contributions single parents are making, sometimes under great hardship.”
Raising children alone presents unique challenges, and the stress shows: 35% of single parents in Arkansas live below the poverty line compared to only 9% of married parents, according to the U.S. Census. Yet single parents demonstrate remarkable courage and perseverance in providing for their families.
In the days leading to March 21, here are three meaningful ways you can support and recognize single parents’ determination:
Tell a Single Parent They’re a Great Parent
Take time to acknowledge a single parent’s strength. Whether it’s managing finances, juggling work and childcare, or overcoming personal challenges, single parents face obstacles with unwavering determination.
Any kind words you share will go a long way. You can also offer to help with household tasks or provide childcare assistance to lighten their load.
Learn about Single Parenthood
About two out of five families with children in Arkansas are headed by a solo parent, according to the Census. So the odds are you know a single mom or dad, maybe someone like Synthia Thomas.
This 38-year-old works full-time, parents full-time, and goes to school full-time to further her business career, and Synthia is still able to watch her daughter cheer at football games and help her son with homework. Talk with a single parent to learn how they do it all, and maybe you’ll learn a trick or two about managing time and prioritizing the important things in life.
Donate In Honor of a Single Parent You Know
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to ending single parent poverty through higher education. It champions hardworking single parents like Synthia every day by providing them with resources, support, and opportunities to thrive.
If you give in honor of National Single Parent Day at aspsf.org/nsdp, your gift will be matched thanks to a generous donor! Your investment in single parent success will bring a more educated and prosperous society for future generations.
This National Single Parent Day let’s stand up for the single parents we know! By acknowledging their contributions and providing support and encouragement, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of single-parent families.
For more information about National Single Parent Day or Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, contact ASPSF Communications Director Jen Para at [email protected] or 479-318-2885.
About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: For more than 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit aspsf.org.
