When you're a new single parent, the thought of going it alone is more than a little frightening.
But the more you know, the more manageable raising your kids solo will be. The best source on what to expect comes from single moms and dads themselves.
Below, HuffPost Divorce readers share with us the one thing no one told them about single parenting. Scroll down to see what they have to say, then head to the comments and tell us what you wish someone had told you about single parenthood after your split.
1. "In a lot of ways, it can be easier. Your attention isn't divided between your kids and your spouse anymore. It's just your kids and you. In a lot of ways, that's easier."
2. "It's entirely OK to ask for and accept help."
3. "I always say to my new single mom friends what no one said to me: it will be a struggle, but don't worry -- it will all turn out alright."
4. "Vacations will be tough. When you're at the beach or Disney surrounded by families, you will feel a sense of loss no matter how much fun you are having. The moment will pass, but I certainly wasn't warned about it."
5. "It's like childbirth: you can't describe it; you just do it."
6. "How hard, tiring and emotionally draining it is to do it all by yourself or with little help. And how sometimes you get upset and cry when you're alone because you can't be in two places at once and can't be the super parent you thought you could be."
7. "That it's hard to make an excuse for the other parent not showing up."
8. "Being a single mom and having to explain male changes? That's difficult."
9. "Yes, it's hard; yes, it's exhausting; yes, you'll probably cry a lot at first. But you know what? It's better than being in an unhealthy relationship -- that's not an environment you want your kids in. So you get up and every day it gets a bit easier. And pretty soon, 'single parenting' just becomes 'parenting.'"
10. "No one tells you how incredibly tiring it is, physically and emotionally."
11. "Finding a new balance takes some time but it can be done. Know when to not sweat the small stuff and become more efficient. Become empowered and ask for help if you need it. Own your new balance."
12. "You're better at it than you think you are. You'll soon learn that it's not awful and that the kids are fine. You were probably doing it alone all along anyway."
13. "No one tells you how the kids are affected when parents separate."
14. "That everything is on you."
15. "No one tells you it's hard to teach boys to pee properly!"
16. "Lots of people will tell you how hard it is but the big secret is how incredible it is to be able to give your kids 100 percent of your attention."
17. "There is no way on earth to get everything done at once and there is no way to get the house spotless and carry on normal life at the same time!"
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