City to have its own single parents' forum

The group will help divorced, widowed parents discuss common issues, de-stress and bond with their children

The Association of the Marriage Counsellors of the State plans to set up a Single Parents Forum in Mumbai along the lines of the one in Pune, which was formed eight months ago, and has 80 members. The Association of the Marriage Counsellors of the State comprises government-appointed professionals who counsel couples undergoing divorce.

"Single parents are lonely and get possessive about their children, who they often see as their only family.
Children also suffer psychologically, if single parenthood is the result of a split. Initially, the forum was restricted to divorcees. We also have widows and widowers in the group now," said Rajendra Tatar, vice-president, Association of the Marriage Counsellors of the State. "We organise get-togethers, where we invite members to participate in psychological games and seminars on stress management," Tatar added.u00a0

"I am undergoing divorce, and my inability to answer some of my 10-year-old daughter's questions often left me depressed. At the forum, I met like-minded people who gave my confidence a boost and helped my daughter and me to heal," said Hemali Sadekar, a clinical psychologist from Pune, an active member of the forum.

Another single parent, Sanjay Kulkarni, an architect from Pune, told MiD DAY, "I got divorced two years back. I have two kids. After joining the forum, I realised that there is so much you can do in your spare time to improve your relationship with your kids."u00a0

"We are yet to zero on a date, when we will hold our introductory seminar in Mumbai. However, the date for the same is yet to be decided," said Madhav Jadhav, president, Association of the Marriage Counsellors of the State.