Upcoming National Holiday Celebrates Single Parent Households

If you were strolling through the grocery store, one or two kids in tow when out of the blue someone wished you a Happy Single Parent's Day, you might find yourself inadvertently chuckling. For the celebration of managing a single parent household by individuals other than fellow heads of single parent households is not one you tend to hear very much about.

Believe it or not, though, as infrequently as it happens to be advertised, there really is a legitimate National Holiday dedicated to the appreciation and celebration of hard working and dedicated single parents. While many don't even know about the holiday to celebrate it (unfortunately), or to take advantage of some of the affiliated single parent resources in its honor, this true declared special day really is recognized and was even officially designated by Congress when it first came about.

In the proclamation 5166 which was confirmed by Ronald Regan in 1984, Congress agreed to recognize March 21st of each year from that moment on as National Single Parents Day.

The actual proclamation by the President to commemorate this National holiday is presented below; it gives a clear understanding of the purpose for designating this holiday and seems to show a genuine appreciation and honor toward the nation's single parent households, those managed by single fathers and mothers alike.

According to the American Presidency Project the following represents the official proclamation 5166 as proclaimed by President Ronald Regan March 21, 1984 to announce the official establishment and national recognition of Single Parents day:

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Before they are eighteen, about half of our Nation's children will have lived part of their lives with a single parent who strives to fill the role of both mother and father.

Many single parents in America are making valiant efforts on behalf of their children under trying circumstances. Whether it is a deserted spouse forced to work and care for children simultaneously, or a spouse who is not receiving child support that has been awarded by a court, or an unwed mother who has bravely foregone the all-too-available option of abortion, or a widow or widower, single parents deserve our recognition and appreciation for their demonstrated dedication to their young.

At the same time, we should also recognize the vital and ongoing role a large percentage of non-custodial parents play in the nurturing process of their offspring. Their sacrifices, devotion, and concern reflect the bonds of caring for those they have brought into this world.

Single parents can and do provide children with the financial, physical, emotional, and social support they need to take their places as productive and mature citizens. With the active interest and support of friends, relatives, and local communities, they can do even more to raise their children in the best possible environment.

The Congress, by H.J. Res. 200, has designated March 21, 1984, as "National Single Parent Day" and has requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of that day.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 21, 1984, as National Single Parent Day. I call on the people of the United States to recognize the contributions single parents are making, sometimes under great hardships, to the lives of their children, and I ask that they volunteer their help, privately or through community organizations, to single parents who seek it to meet their aspirations for their children.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighth.

RONALD REAGAN
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:13 a.m., March 22, 1984]

How do you plan to honor yourself and your hard work plus dedicated loyalty toward your children in celebration of this Single Parent recognition holiday? Granted, it is indeed true that the town billboards and community fliers are not swarming you every where you look with invitations to attend National Single Parent Household Day events but do a little online research into the holiday and those groups or organizations associated with it. I bet you will find plenty of fun events to take advantage of that will no doubt be if anything, an interesting experience but also, an opportunity or two where you will have a chance to let your greatly warranted pride shine through.

After all, if you really sit down to think of it, which surely you occasionally do, taking care of kids as a single parent is arguably equally as and sometimes even more challenging than a 40/hr a week full time 9-5 job. Give yourself the credit you deserve.

There are many related single parent organizations hosting events you might like to attend. Here are some links to explore that may help you find one near you.
Parents without Partners is a very active community and single parent resource. It has many good links for US, Canada as well as Australia. Visit the Parents Without Partners Homepage to find a chapter near you.

On the other hand, if you don't have the time or commitment to get involved with a group on National Single Parents Day, it always is rewarding to both yourself and the single parent recipient to do something special to honor a friend who happens to also be the head of a single parent household. It doesn't have to be a big deal out of your way.

Of course a real greeting card from the store always shows a little extra effort but with so many free electronic greeting cards available through online sites these days, surely you should be able to find a fitting theme to characterize the occasion as well as reflect appropriately the relationship you have with your single parent friend.

Search for free online greeting cards, you'll be likely to get thousands of results. Here's a quick warning though, if you aren't familiar with e-greetings, many will ask you to pay. While surely the paid greeting cards are well done by some artist who put a lot of time and thought into the creation, there are plenty more out there free of charge if an internet card is not your idea of a wise expenditure. So shop around.

Finally, if the greeting card gesture just isn't you or for some reason doesn't fit into your schedule, perhaps you might take the time to phone one of your single parent friends, whether they be a single father or single mother. Just a quick hello and a little update and catch up on your individual lives will make them feel great. Especially when you start the conversation with Happy Single Parents Day. Most people don't even know this exists, how delighted they will be when caught as the surprise center of attention due to this sparsely known occasion.