Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION VIII-EASTERN VISAYAS
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF EASTERN SAMAR
GUIUAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Guiuan, Eastern Samar

Key Formal Interview and Focus Group Discussion

Research Question 1: What are the lived experiences and challenges of single parents?

Interview Question 1: What are the biggest daily challenges single parents face with time, taking care of kids, and Theme

running the house?

I1: I2: Like doing laundry I3: The biggest I4: I5: Being a single
especially when you challenge is parent is indeed a
can't buy soap, managing time daunting task,
especially feeding my effectively to ensure especially during
children and paying all tasks are periods of financial
the bills. It's hard completed and the strain. Lacking any
especially when you children are well specific skills, I
have children, taken care of. The turned to selling fish
especially if your challenges are to provide for my six
child is studying, you immense, from children. Despite the
don't have a spouse, financial constraints challenges, I was
you don't have a job to the emotional toll able to support three
to send your children of being the sole of my children
 to school. Where can caretaker. It can be through their
you get especially overwhelming at education, all by
when you don't have times. myself. Providing
a job, like for permanent care,
allowance, for ensuring proper
projects especially if nourishment, giving
your child is studying pocket money, and
in 1st year college. covering daily
transportation
expenses are the
sacrifices I make to
lift my children out of
poverty
I6: When I face I7: I was young when I8: Just like children's I9: Financial I10: Ever since their
shortages, my source I became a single needs and financial, problems are indeed father passed away,
of strength is prayer. parent. My mother if my child gets sick, I challenging, all the responsibilities
I remain stress-free helps me take care of have no helper to especially when fell on me. There
by staying indoors. my child, and teach take care of it, that's you're the only one were times when we
My experience me goodness for me really it, financial for finding ways to had nothing to eat,
involves working with and my child single parents provide for your and one of my
young people and because my mother because there is no children. Of course, children would fall ill.
taking care of them. has experience as a helper at work, there my children want to I didn't have any
parent. is no one to take care study and graduate money, so I had to
of the children, I am to have a better find ways to cope.
really alone. financial future
is really the biggest
problem.
I11: For me, it's I12: Financial issues I13: It’s been 5 years I14: For me, being a I15: One of the
challenging, but you are my biggest since I became a single parent is hard, biggest challenges
need to fight. You challenge as a single single parent I have 5 especially when it for me as a single
have to fulfill all your parent. However, children's 2 of them comes to our needs. parent is our daily
responsibilities as a handling my child has their own family Meeting our daily food. I don't know
single parent. and the house isn't and the other 3 is still needs is challenging how to stretch what I
as difficult, especially schooling if we will because not earn in a day
since I only have one talk about everything is readily because sometimes I
 child. The difficulty
experiences it has available. don't have work.
depends on the
never been easy for
responsibilitiesme it was hard
involved. because all of the
work all of the
expenses was on me
and there are times
that we don't have
food to eat being a
single parent was
never Been easy for
me I can't depend on
my children because
they have their own
family and my other
children was still
young so it was all on
me, sometimes they
will go to school and
they have nothing to
eat so it was hard
because in 5 years I
endure it all ever
since my child was
grade 7 and now she
was grade 11 it was
all on me.
Interview Question 2: How do money problems affect the life and chances of single-parent families? Theme

I1: Like you will think I2: The problem I3: Financial I4: I5: I am striving to
that your biggest with money is like constraints can limit achieve my goals so
problem is where to paying for my the quality of life and that I can provide for
get money especially children especially create stress in my children's daily
that I have a baby when I don't have a managing daily needs, as I am their
and I'm still breast job. expenses. sole source of
feeding her so I can't support.
find a job since I
have no one to look
into my baby it's also
hard to leave the
house especially that
you have a baby.
I6: I work diligent to I7: So, I was young I8: Like I have grown I9: The burden is I10: In my case, it's
provide for my child's when I became a children, I let them significant, especially tough to find financial
needs, enabling them single parent, no one take care of their little when you're alone. stability, especially
to attend school supported me, no siblings, and I work, You need to take on when I'm just a
daily. one took care of me, because it is any job as long as it's laundrywoman. It's
so my mother as a forbidden to bring my legal. really challenging,
supportive mom, she little children, or if I especially when I
helps me, she guided have neighbors who can't find work or no
me. are considerate, I let one needs my
them watch my laundry services.
children. Sometimes I have to
borrow money to
support my children
I11: As far as I'm I12: Finances greatly I13: Ever since their I14: The challenge is I15: Money is really
concerned, my affect me, especially father died All of the significant, especially one of the biggest
children aren't because I'm a expenses all of the since I am still a problems when
affected because I graduating student. works, financially, student. I need to you're a single parent
can provide for their My expenses for my physically, work as a housemaid because you're the
needs. They don't child and school are emotionally was all during my free time. only one finding ways
feel like they're doubled. on me. My children to meet your child's
lacking anything became my needs.
because I can fulfil all inspiration to
their needs by overcome it all
myself.
Interview Question 3: What emotional and mental challenges do single parents face, and how do these affect their Theme
happiness and self-image?
I1: Like what I said I2: Being a single I3: Yes, the I4: I5: I work hard and
Ima a solo parent parent is hard like emotional burden try to avoid getting
and you to work so you want to work, can be heavy at into problems
you will find a job if who would want to times, but I try to stay because I am the
who's willing to accept you for work, positive for the sake only one taking care
accept to you or to being a single parent of my children. of them. I strive to
hire you for work is really hard. find money for them
even if it is just so that they don't
washing clothes but if have a hard time
you will wash meeting their needs.
clothes, you only get As students, they are
150 or 250 all mine. I also save
depending on the for myself so that I
amount of clothes so can provide for them.
it was hard.
I6: Facing life's trials, I7: It's hard, I cry, I I8: For me, I gain I9: There are I10: Like when we
managing all aspects never thought I was strength through my moments when I cry don't have anything
of child care, from like this, what my children. from exhaustion, but to eat, my child is
their meals to their mother did, she of course, when sick, and I have no
school expenses, is preached, supported, you're alone, you one to turn to,
crucial. I am cared for me and have to survive. You especially since I no
committed to working slowly taught me how can't just wallow in longer have my
hard so they can to be a parent even if self-pity, especially parents. All I can do
continue with their I was alone. when you're alone. is pray that I can
education. cope with everything
and just cry.

I11: In my opinion, I12: I don't let difficult I13: Like for instance I14: I sometimes feel I15: Like not being
there's nothing to situations affect me. we don't have rice stressed and end up able to provide their
worry about. My I'm a fighter. I still we don't have foods crying. needs for school
children were able to smile no matter what and my children is because of course, it
finish school, they happens not also feeling well hurts my heart to see
can study whatever there are times that I my children not
others can, and I needed to borrow happy.
distract myself with money so that I can
various tasks that give them foods to
can help our financial eat since I have a
situation. I don't work and I wash
waste the day. You clothes for other
just need to work people.
hard and not let the
fact that you're a solo
parent affect you.
Interview Question 4: How does single parenting change the way parents and kids talk, discipline, and support Theme
each other emotionally?
I1: it is a most I2: ike for me, my I3: As a single I4: I5: I expect discipline
especially if your children are both parent, I have to be from you now
daughter or son can't abusive, they need to both the because I am the
be disciplined for be disciplined well, disciplinarian and the only one supporting
instance like my talk to them like that. nurturer which can you. Please don't
children, I felt like I be challenging. waste what I provide.
need to discipline If you have
them better cause something important
there are times that to spend, use it
they won't believe wisely so that you
me or they won’t can save some
respect me so you money. If you don't
need to talk to them have money, be
calmly. There also patient and wait,
instances that they because when I have
get jealous of what it, I will give it to you
other children's have immediately. For
or what they're now, we are facing
friends have I always financial difficulties,
talk to them and say so please inform your
that don't be jealous teacher that I am the
because this is what sole caregiver. I'm
our situation is there not saying that I
will come a time that won't pay, I will pay if
you will have your I have the means to
own work and you do so.
can afford anything
maybe much better
than what they have.
I6: As long as I can I7: My mother as a I8. For me, I'm I9: I talk to them I10: I talk to them; I
budget for their parent she taught me applying what I went calmly and explain make them feel like
monthly expenses, her experiences in through before, our situation. They we're friends even
such as travel, life as a parent. because back then it need to accept the though I'm just their
school projects, and was good to reality and strive mother. I'm happy
tuition fees, I am discipline children but because they can't that they understand
willing to keep it doesn't mean that if rely on their father. me.
working. I was beaten before,
I'll beat them too,
that's not it, I talk to
them treat them like
friends so that they
won't be scared.
I11: I talk to them. I12: It depends on I13: I’m happy that I I14: I discipline my I15: Of course, for
For instance, when the situation and how know that theychildren properly, me, managing and
they're studying, I I handle it. understand me, they talking to them about disciplining my two
ask them about any won't do uhm they right and wrong. children at the same
problems at school, if won't do such things time is difficult
they need anything, like being mad at me because children can
and I check on them. because they be naughty.
I provide what they understand me.
need every hour,
check on them, and
pray for them every
night. There's no
problem as long as
you provide for their
needs and check on
them.
Interview Question 5: How are single parents treated by society, and how does this affect their relationships and Theme
feeling of belonging?
I1: There are also I2: I feel pity, I3: I've been I4: I5: I prioritize my own
instances like that for because I am also a fortunate to receive life and the well-
example like me I single parent, some support from my being of my children
have neighbours they neighbors are good community, but there above all else. I don't
would say like, they at this, apply to help are times when I feel concern myself with
will be pity towards with 4ps that's why judged or what others may say
me because I'm a they helped me with misunderstood. or think. The
solo parent like they that. important thing is that
would say "I pity I focus on raising my
them they don't have children and ensuring
enough money to their welfare. I work
buy and sustain for hard for both myself
their basic needs" and my children,
like that but they without interfering in
don't treat me badly. the lives of others.
I6: They have no I7: Just like uhm solo I8: By the grace of I9: For me, I don't I10: There's no
problems following parent that we have God, nothing, care about what problem with how
my instructions, such in Government, who because what they others think. What's they treat me.
as coming home by can avail of help just tell me is that I'm in important is that I'm Sometimes they
five o'clock. If they're like in Municipal, they awe of you, not alive and I can even help me when
late, they inform me. give solo parent help really, because I'm provide for my I'm in trouble.
Though I'm busy just like money to making a way, I'm children in the best
most of the time, I buy milk for the child, not asking for food way I can, at least
emphasize to them to buy food, to buy for my children with my own
the importance of medicine because strength.
focusing on their the Government they
studies to have a give privilege to solo
better future. Without parent to have a
external support, I good life.
rely solely on my
monthly salary.
Therefore, budgeting
every paycheck—
from the middle to
the end of the month
—is of utmost
importance to me.
I11: I'm okay. I don't I12: Everything's I13: it was fine with I14: They handle me I15: For me, I'm used
experience any fine. No one bullies me and my relation well; it's not bad, but to it because there's
mistreatment here. me here. between my sometimes I hear nothing we can do. I
I'm not discriminated neighbours was also negative news about am the only one
against because I'm great in fact they myself. You can't supporting my two
a solo parent. I don't helped me in times avoid defamation. children.
mingle much with that I need them and
others. I just stay at I have some big
home, work, and problems and they
focus on my are even happy if I
children's needs. approach them. No
one here will say that
you're a single parent
and they will judge
you, no we are in
good terms.

Research Question 2: What are the coping mechanisms single parents adopting when facing these challenges?
Interview Question 1: What strategies do single parents use to manage their time effectively, balancing work, Theme
childcare, and household duties?
I1: For you not to I2: What I do is I I3: I rely on a strong I4: I5: By the grace of
mind your problems warn them because support network of God, I have
or not think much there is nothing to friends and family, managed to uplift
about it I often do feed you, your and I try to take care myself from difficult
house cleaning if I mother will just work of my mental health circumstances
want to wash the so you can eat and and I try to maintain through loans. I am
clothes, I’ll do that so you can study for a balance between in debt solely to
and I will keep my a living and uhm For work and home, and provide for my
mind distracted so me, what I do when I ensure that my children. Despite
that I won't think get something from children feel loved being burdened with
much of my my laundry, I do and cared for. debt, I was able to
problems. There are laundry, so it won't support four of my
also families that affect my thinking. children through
their children would college, thanks to the
run away from home intercession of Saint
because they are San Antonio.
annoyed, for me I If you avoid
would just tell them laziness, you can
that I need to work so overcome any
that I will be able to obstacle. Laziness
sustain their needs. will prevent you from
overcoming
challenges. Your
children rely on you,
especially since you
are the sole provider
without a husband. It
is through my hard
work that my children
can improve their
circumstances and
have enough to eat
each day. As for
myself, I find
fulfillment in being
able to provide for
their needs and that
is enough for me.
I6: Our bonding time I7: First is faith, I8: I just enjoy mine, I9: I will stick to what I10: I pray that I can
is in the evenings secondly what is then I socialize with I used to do when I overcome everything
when they come good that my elders others, I ask for help, still had a husband. If and my children can
back from school. I teach me should be I share my problems I have a job, I need have a healthy body.
ask them about their followed, and my with others, I don't do to adjust my As for balancing,
day and whatever mother who will it alone. As for me, to schedule. It's all there's no problem
they learned, which support me until the be able to work, I about time because my children
helps me understand end until I am still give my son a toy so management, are already grown
if they're facing any with her. that he is in that making sure I can up. They do the
problems. Umm I am a student, place and then I just allocate time for my household chores
. I regularly remind Nursing student at look at him and see child and finish my while I'm working.
them to come home ESSU, I divided my what he is doing. tasks We help each other.
immediately after time to school and
school. second to take care
of my child. There's a
time that I don't have
a class, I took care of
my child, to take a
bath, to eat and to
teach him about
school.
I11: The first and I12: I always think I13: Prayers, I pray I14: I try not to I15: For me, I go to
foremost thing is positively and use that I will be able to overthink things so work every day and I
prayer. You need to time management. overcome all of our as not to get just ask them at night
work hard, take care challenges and God affected, especially what their problems
of your children, and may give us a good since I am a single are, what they want
love them. Don't health. It was hard parent. I always try to or need.
think that just for me to balance all stay positive.
because you're a of the work so for me
single parent, you I usually do and tell
should rely on others. them that they need
I use a schedule and to clean the house
time management. and I will go to work
since they are
capable to do house
chores.
Interview Question 2: How do single parents handle financial difficulties to ensure their family's needs are met? Theme

I1: For example, they I2: Like that because I3: I try to budget I4: I5: I prioritize
would go to school your children are also carefully and budgeting and avoid
and they are not studying, you need to prioritize essential unnecessary
feeling well if you will work hard to meet needs. expenses. I don't pay
just sit and do their needs. attention to what
nothing you won't others say, especially
have money to buy when they suggest
medicine so you will buying things that are
need to find a job to not essential. The
sustain them. most important thing
to me is putting my
children's needs
before the desires of
others, ensuring their
happiness and well-
being. I will always
prioritize my children
above all else.

I6: Ironically, I work I7: If my brother and I8: To me, if I make I9: It's normal. What I10: I look for work,
as a nanny to triplets sister gave me money, I budget it, you earn in a day is like mine, because
while also taking care money, I used to budgeting is really what you use. You I'm just a
of my children. They online sell so that I important to me, I don't look for what's laundrywoman. I still
stay with me at my can support the don't say that I will not there. If you need look for other jobs
place of work, which needs of my child. gamble or drink, I to eat salt, then you where I can earn an
eases my worries. budget only for my eat salt. At least I income, and the 4Ps
children and my children are program is a big
complete. help.

I11: For me, if there's I12: I'm a strategic I13: I find ways to I14: Everything is I15: I work double
still some left, I don't person. When we find a decent job like scheduled, what sometimes when
buy more. For really have nothing, I washing clothes from needs to be done for there's no work after
example, if there's get vegetables to sell other people the day and time work, I go to the sea
still some rice left, I to generate income because that's management. When at night so I can have
won't buy more and find side jobs. usually my work I fine I'm studying, enough money.
unless it's all jobs to have income someone is taking
consumed. I use and 4ps was also a care of my children.
what's available and great help for me.
don't desire for
luxurious or
excessive things.
Just enough for you
to eat three times a
day and have the
things you need for
studying and other
necessities. In other
words, budgeting is
crucial to avoid
financial problems.
Don't spend on
unimportant things.

Interview Question 3: What do single parents do to cope with stress, loneliness, or other emotional challenges? Theme

I usually do on I2: I just do it like me I3: I try to practice I4: I5: I'm just strolling to
circumstances that I who has high blood self-care, take time get rid of my
am disappointed or I pressure, I just walk, for myself, and seek problems at home,
am annoyed I usually I went to my friend at support when simply traveling
walked out and go to my neighbor's house needed. around.
my friends just to to remove this from
refresh my mindI1: my mind.
I6: In times of I7: Walking to the I8: I'm just praying I9: I'm simple. When I10: I don't dwell on
distress, I find solace market, eating that I can do I'm stressed, I just the problem. I just
in prayer. I call upon somewhere, and everything, that I'll be listen to love songs talk to my children
the Lord and believe going to church every given strength for my to relieve stress. that I shouldn't be
in His guidance. Sunday without children. to get rid of stressed because I
school, then when my stress, I talk to also have an illness.
we sleep together my children, I ask I'm just thankful that
and I teach my son a them what they think my children
lot. of me, if I'm okay as understand me. They
a mom, if I'm okay to give me the strength
teach them, I ask if to cope with
 how are they, if they
are tired of us being
poor?
I11: To avoid stress, I I12: I just focus on I13: I don't mind my I14:
don't think about our future. I don't problems there are someone
problems. I just work think about negative times that I would supports us.
properly to forget things, I stay positive. open up to my
about stress and children's and they
think positively. would tell me that it's
okay and they would
tell me not to be
stressed because it's
bad for my health
and they provided
me the support that I
needed emotional
support.
Interview Question 4: How do single parents work to maintain a strong and supportive relationship with their
children?
I1: I usually do if they I2: I do it from school, I3: I try to maintain a I4:
will go home from I cook their food and structured schedule
school, I would their school uniforms and prioritize tasks
prepare foods for and I do laundry and effectively.
them so they can eat. clean the house.
everything.
There is I15: I just talk or
who sometimes drink to
forget my problems.
Theme
I5: In a similar
manner, when I
leave, I prepare their
food in advance so
that it is ready for
them when they
come home. As they
arrive home one by
one, they can
immediately have
their meal. I divide
the food into portions
to ensure that
everyone receives an
equal share.
Additionally, I provide
 them with pocket
money so that when I
return home, they
can take care of
cooking and other
household tasks,
allowing me to rest if
I am tired. I work and
prioritize their needs
before I leave,
ensuring that they
have no reason to
complain. I complete
all the tasks together
with them.

I6: To keep up with I7: I divide my school I8: When I come I9: You need to I10: The love for my
my employers, I and work; I hope home from work, I adjust your time for children and respect
wake up early at someday I can have take care of them. I your children. You for them and respect
three o'clock. My a good work so that I tell them what give them time, and for me.
morning routine can support my happened to me at you also allot time for
includes cooking, child’s need and work so that they feel the house. Of course,
feeding them, and teach him not to be what their parents so your family can
ensuring they get to like me. are doing, I tell them have bonding time.
school on time. what I do.

I11: Talk to them, I12: Sacrifice. I I13: It was the love I14: I contemplate, I15: That's what I do
love them, and pray. sacrifice even if I from my children and go out to avoid and after work, I check on
Give them time, want to party. I just my love to my relieve stress. my children when I
communicate, and focus on important children's and most get home.
guide them. things. importantly is
respect, they respect
me as their mother
and I respect them
 as well.
Interview Question 5: In facing social stigma or judgment, how do single parents maintain their confidence and find Theme
support?
I1: In times that I I2: Like there's a I3: I rely on my I4: I5: When a typhoon
don't have much to storm, I got the support network of is forecasted, it's
sustain My family I support of my family friends and family, important to prepare
would go to my if I don't have it. and try to stay in advance. Upon
siblings and ask for positive and resilient. hearing the
help. announcement, one
must start
preparations knowing
that the storm is
coming. This
includes preparing
food, as the ability to
work or sell items
may be hindered
once the typhoon
arrives. While the
storm is still distant, I
take the opportunity
to prepare. This way,
when the time
comes, there will be
enough to eat. I don't
rely on external help
because everything I
have is my own, the
result of my efforts.
I6: As soon as I I7: Like when there is I8: Like Yolanda, my I9: We rely on what I10: When my
receive my salary, I a calamity, my only real partner is the government husband passed
budget it accordingly parents are always my mother, I gained provides, like relief away, I was looking
to cover their one- there, yes, my strength in my goods. Through this, for ways to survive
day tuition and other parents support me, I children. we can survive for the upcoming
necessities, to stand strong as a food and daily needs. calamity. The
ensure they don’t single parent government's support
face any issues because my parents in providing relief
during their exams. have supported me goods is a big help
in everything, for survival.
studies, they said
that I should study
well so that when the
time comes, I can
achieve something in
life, so that when I
have a job, I can take
care of my son and
give him a good
future. We single
parents don't want
our children to be like
us, so every single
parent is everything,
a mom and dad
I11: During times of I12: I haven't I13: When my I14: I ask for help I15: I know my rights
danger, we stay at experienced such a husband died, I and support from my as a single parent
home since our situation, but if I do, I would find jobs to parents and from the and my family is the
house is concrete. I would seek support sustain us and the father's side of my one who helps me
ask for help from my from the government. barangay also give children
siblings and pray. some support.