It is fair to say that most people don't ever expect to become single parents. And it is also safe to say that you are never really prepared for the role. However, according to U.S. census records, there are more than 13.6 million single parents in the United States and the number continues to grow. It is not just women who are now responsible for the task of raising children by themselves; the number of single fathers is also increasing. As a single parent, you will be faced with a number of challenges. Some may surprise you. Others will be expected. The more information you have, the easier it will be to navigate these challenges and successfully transition into the role of a single parent.