New group provides support for single parents

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Raising children while still performing the duties of an Airman is a challenge that single military parents must overcome alone.

But thanks to the Single Parents Group, a newly formed group designed to provide hundreds of Moody's single parents a network to interact with each other, this has been made a little easier.

"The main focus of this group is networking and support," said Staff Sgt. Sarah Howard, 23rd Maintenance Operations Squadron plans and scheduling member, who initiated the group. "My vision is for us to come to trust each other and maybe even be like a family. With three kids under the age of 17, it's definitely a great thing to have."

Individuals who are interested in the group can attend the next meeting, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 16 at the Mission Lake picnic area. They can also e-mail sarah.howard@moody.af.mil. The meetings are open to anyone on base who feels they could benefit from it.

"This group is still in the beginning stages but I have a vision in mind as to what I would like it to become," Sergeant Howard said. "In order to do this, we need as many people as possible to come so we can do more as a group.

"We're open to all military members and civilians, as well as other individuals who would like to help support them," she added. "In addition, I'd like to remind single fathers that they are also welcome; they face the same challenges as single mothers and can use the same support."

One of Moody's single fathers joined the group because of these reasons and also expressed what he hopes to get from these meetings.

"Although single parenthood is tough and even harder considering our operations tempo, it's just part of the military lifestyle," said Tech. Sgt. Shannen Gottshall, 23rd MOS quality assessor, who has three children ranging from 11- to 17-years old. "This will definitely be a great way to network with the other single parents and have a place to voice any concerns I may have."

At the last meeting, parent concerns centered on childcare and how to handle it during exercises, inspections, deployments and temporary duties. However, each meeting covers anything the attendees want to discuss.


"These meetings are simply here to help support our single parents," said Sergeant Howard. "It will become whatever they want it to be and will be a great way to meet others who are in the same situation."