Parents who aren't raising their kids solo often wonder what it's really like to be a single parent. In fact, that curiosity can come off as downright insensitive at times. Here are some of the things people want to know about single parents but are afraid to ask:

1. Is being a single parent really harder than having a spouse who travels a lot? Yes! When you have a spouse who travels a lot for work, you're still part of a team. Think about parents who complain about being a 'single parent' during the week, but then pass their kids off to their spouse the moment he or she walks in the door. Single parents never get that luxury, especially ones who don't have the benefit of a co-parent or nearby extended family. Don't get me wrong; parenting on your own some of the time can be tough, especially when you're not used to it. But it doesn't compare to being a single parent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. And it's insensitive to pretend, even for a minute, that it's the same thing.

1. Are widows and divorced parents considered single parents? I've received emails on occasion from parents who say, "But I'm a widow, I'm not a single parent." Or "I'm divorced, so I'm not a single parent." In the end, the language you choose to describe your own situation is up to you. If you don't care for the term "single parent," don't use it. But if you're raising your kids on your own, for any reason, then you face the same challenges and hurdles as other single moms and dads. So don't let word choice stop you from joining a single parent support group or making friends with other parents who are also doing this job solo.
2. Are the courts more likely to rule in favor of the mom when deciding custody? It depends. Some states still lean strongly toward children being raised by their mother, with the exception of situations where the mother is deemed unfit. Other states increasingly recognize that children benefit from ongoing relationships with both parents. As such, their child custody laws support maintaining the same level of parental engagement that the children enjoyed before the divorce or separation. But the bottom line is that there is no formula by which you can predict with 100% accuracy how a particular judge will rule. You have to fight for what you believe is best for your kids, regardless of what the statistics tell you.

1. Are single parents to blame for higher levels of crime and other societal problems? The way I see it, those problems are caused by a myriad of factors. Blaming single parents conveniently simplifies issues that are the collective responsibility of every American, and trying to make hardworking single moms and dads the scapegoat is ignorant and short-sighted. Yes, it's true that single parent families face more economic challenges than dual-income parents -- but that should be cause for compassion, not judgment. And as a single parent, it's important to know that you have the power to overcome the struggles you face. You may not be able to give your kids everything they wish for or every opportunity they deserve. But you can give your kids what they need to succeed, and that boils down to love and guidance. (For more on this topic read 10 Things That Matter More Than Money).