Some common questions asked by Sole parents answered by Kathy Silard, Director and Senior Counsellor at SPARK Resource Centre Inc. 


KATHY began working for SPARK Resource Centre Inc. in 1986 as an outreach worker. She has devised workshops, classes, lectures and given talks on behalf of and for sole parents. Over the past 16 years she has counselled hundreds of sole parents on a large range of issues. She has taken a selection of commonly asked questions and given her response to them.

If you need more specific help it is recommended that you seek individual counselling. There is a list of useful books at the end of this section that Kathy has recommended. Kathy is also a sole parent� her children are now independent adults. As well as working for SPARK and raising three children, Kathy has written three books: Peace or Pieces: A non-violent parenting manual., Me, Myself and I: A Relationship for Life., and Under One Roof: Understanding Adolescence.

SPARK Resource Centre Inc. is a non-government agency (a registered charity) which is dedicated to improving the lives of sole parent families. 

If you need more specific help it is recommended that you seek individual counselling. There is a list of useful books at the end of this section that Kathy has recommended. The following questions and answers are ones that have been useful for some people, HOWEVER, they cannot replace individual counselling and professional support.  


Introduction (PDF)

Commonly asked questions relating to access  (PDF)

Common housing questions answered (PDF)

Commonly asked questions about re-partnering answered (PDF)

Strategies for dealing with social isolation (PDF)

What do I do if i suspect my child has been abused?  (PDF)

Are there any benefits of being a sole parent ? (PDF)

Reference Books

Entire FAQ (PDF)



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