Happy Parenting!

I should know because I am one of the proud shepherds known as single parents. And while it can be tough, let me tell you the rewards are priceless.

Here are a few stats that I bet you didn't know:

1) There are an estimated 13.7 million single parents in the United States today? Well, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 report single parents are responsible for raising 26 percent of children who are under the age of 21 in the United States.

2) Single parenting is something that can either happen by choice or circumstance. (For most of us it is the latter, but there are a few out there who can find themselves straddling either category.

3) Many single parents live by the mantra that it "takes a village to raise a child" and readily call on their "village" of people to aid in the parenting process. This has an amazing impact on a child's life and can definitely have a positive impact that can last throughout adulthood.

So the next time you meet a single parent, tell them that they rock!