Conference moira::parenting

    I would call you local hospital and ask for something like social
    services department, patient education, whatever they call it and they
    should be able to tell you about all the programs available.  

Parents Without Partners is a nation and possibly world wide organization.
There are chapters in "I Think" every state. Unfortunately there is not
a lot of advertisement to PWP even thought they publish a bi-monthly magazine
named "Single Parent" and have conventions a couple of times a year. PWP is
a great way to meet single parents and share in many activities for parents
and children. The PWP chapter I'm involved with in Nashua NH currently has
over 200 members. I'll forward your note to a another member here at DEC and
see if she knows of a contact for PWP in your area.


 Neil....

        I have discovered, after contacting the central PWP office, that
        there is no chapter in Colorado Springs.  Would anyone, from
        Colorado, be interested in starting up a chapter here?
        Please send me mail if you are interested.
    
        Thanks,
        Sandy csc32::hanna

    There is an organization called Single Mothers By Choice with a
    national HQ in New York City and chapters sparsely distributed
    across the country. You may want to check into that as well.
    
    I am a single parent of a 2 year old girl. I spent a lot of time
    wrestling with the "where's Daddy ?" issue before adopting my baby.
    (BTW SMBC has a newsletter or article reprint called "where's daddy".)
    I know how difficult that is. You want to provide your baby with 
    everything he needs and you are worried that he may need a daddy.
    You may even worry that he'll be angry at not having one. And, right
    now, sleep deprived as you are, you can't imagine how you are going 
    to do it alone and may be angry with your baby's  father. All
    very familiar to me and others at SMBC and, probably PWOP.
    
    Well, she's 2 and I think she has learned the word daddy at day care. I
    think she called me daddy last week. The word still doesn't mean
    anything to her. What I'm saying is that you have a while before it is
    an issue. You have to feel comfortable with your explanation and it
    has to be free of anger. I'd stay away form so called support groups
    where parents vent their anger at the missing spouse. I mean do that
    now if you need to but then go on and find a single parent support
    group that knows single parenting IS parenting.
    
    One caution, think a lot about the books you read your child. There's
    one out there called "Families" that is a six year old's perspective
    on all the families she knows (her parents are divorced, her friend
    lives with mom and grandma, her cousin was adopted by his parents,
    etc). There's The Mitten, a Ukranian folktale with beautiful
    illustrations, featuring a little boy and his grandmother and lots of
    beautiful animals. Those are just 2 I happen to have read recently, 
    many times over.
    
    Hansel and Gretel had two parents. Dorothy lived with Auntie Em and wanted
    to go home. Cinderella's father didn't do a thing for her.  
    
    It just takes a little extra energy to connect with different models of 
    family; we're out here. You could have had an abortion or placed your
    baby for adoption. You have chosen to be a single parent and you are in
    for the time of your life. (I always say "It's so much better than just
    being single").
    
    I'm babbling...
    
    Congratulations on your new arrival. Enjoy. And send mail if you like. 
    

    
    Single Mothers By Choice
    PO BOX 1642
    Gracie SQ. Station
    NY, NY 10028
    212-988-0993
    
    They have a newsletter and can probably send reprints of the article
    "Where's Daddy". The founder, Jane Mattes, has given speeches on the 
    subject. 
    

    
    I have a 18 month year old Son who will call his Granddad daddy (da)
    etc.   Whilst this doesn't particular bother us at present this could
    present a problem in the future - ie when he gets older and goes to
    school.  Especially as his granddad is currently 78 years young.
    
    He hasn't suffered in any shape or form from not having a daddy and I
    think has more than made up with all the attention from his
    godfathers and his other members of family.  (in my opinion).
    
    Incidently I live with my parents which probably causes him to call his
    Da quite often.  
    
    He doesn't by the way call his nanny mummy but nanny nana - what a
    relief for me!!
    
    SUE
    
    

 
 Parents Without Partners is a worldwide organization of single parents. PWP
 chapters distribute a monthly newsletter of upcoming events. Events are
 listed as Family, Adult-Only or open to all. PWP is a great way for single
 parents to get together as a group and have fun. There are chapters in most
 states so there is "most likely" a PWP chapter near you. For more info you
 can check your local newspaper or call the PWP headquarters Silver Springs
 Maryland (301)588-9354. To find out the address and telephone number of a
 PWP chapter near you call (312)644-6610. This is an answering service which
 handles PWP calls and will transfer you to a PWP info person.

 The local chapters in Southern New Hampshire are in Nashua & Portsmouth
 There are also chapters in Burlington Ma. Framingham Ma. Boston. etc...
 If anyone has info on other single parent groups or have info on their
 PWP chapter please reply to this base note or the corresponding PWP notes
 listed below.

 STARCH::SINGLES Note #3705 Parents Without Partners?
  
 Here is the info and contacts for the Nashua and Portsmouth chapters 
 
 Nashua PWP chapter 1239 (603)883-1219 Phil Woodbury 
 P.O. Box 3076
 Nashua, NH 03061

 Portsmouth PWP chapter 957 (603)743-5054
 P.O. Box 272
 Portsmouth, NH 03802-0272

 Please feel free to contact me if you'd like more info at NSTG::SHEEHAN
 or call Dtn. 285-2567
 
 Neil....

Being a widow for alomst a year, anniversary is the 25th, just 2 days away. sigh 

I've thought about joining such a group, but haven't made the initial move yet.
Not quite sure if I'm ready to deal with it by talking to others yet.

I have seen a PWP group that is located in Framingham MA. I'd probably be 
inclined to join, but they meet at a member's home. I feel uncomfortable
about that. I'd be more comfortable if they met in a hall some where.

Is this the norm? I doubt that Southern NH can do this with over 200 members.

Norma

    My mom was a member of PWP (the one in Framingham), and they used to do
    both - PWP would sponsor "outings" where they might all meet at a dance
    hall, or go on a hike, or rent some cabins for a w/end or something
    like that.  They ALSO had "home" gatherings, which were usually more
    like a Sat night party at someone's house.
    
    Of course these things were all things that were "adult only", as she
    never participated with them, with us kids - more she was just looking
    for a partner who might not object to her having 5 kids.
    
    I think they'll send a free monthly calendar if you call.
    

 Norma,

 In most cases the PWP meeting is just an orientation. The whole membership
 does not meet regularly. PWP chapters put out a newsletter of scheduled
 family and Adult events each month. Also as a member of PWP you'll recieve
 a bi-monthly Single Parents Magazine. This magazine is usually filled with
 good and interesting articles on parenting and being single.

 I greatly sympathsize with your loss and I hope you take a closer look
 at PWP for you may just find that there are other widows and widowers like
 yourself who can help you through your grief by being suportive friends.

 Peace!

   Neil....

    
    Anyone active in the Nashua NH chapter of Parents Without Partners?
    Comments?  I called them to get their newsletter...
    
    Glenn W.