Birdie is passionate about supporting single parents.

We believe every parent deserves a break.

The “Single Parent Support” initiative began with a message from a generous individual, March 2024. He asked if there was a way to anonymously support a single parent with a recurring Birdie Break, as he himself had been raised by a single mother. Inspired by his kind gesture, we decided to match the donation.

To find the candidate, we reached out to our network of Birdie Break parents via email and requested nominations (including self-nominations). From there we were greeted with the most heartwarming and inspiring stories of moms and dads who were bravely raising their little ones solo!

“I nominate myself. I am a recently single mother to twin girls who will be 3 next month. It's a huge adjustment for myself and having that needed time for self care would benefit me and my girls…As I know they deserve a rested and happy Momma.”

“Thank you for this wonderful initiative to support single parents with childcare. She is a single mother with two children, ages 4 and 6, living in Calgary, AB. I would like to nominate her because she deserves a break for self-care. Both of her children are on the spectrum, making it very challenging for her to meet all their needs while working full-time to support them.”

“I am a single dad and I can use the extra support from the donated Birdie Break hours. I was diagnosed with cancer last year and also separated from my ex-wife around the same time. I’m happy to share that after one year of intensive treatments, I am currently symptom-free. The extra help from Birdie Break will allow me a little bit of fun”

“I am a single mama of 3 babies 2,7&9 my son is a micro preemie we spent 112 days in nicu and 3 and a half months in the Ronald McDonald house. I fled domestic violence with my girls in 2020. Long story short it ended and I became a single mom with not just two but three. I spend every single day with my children without a break, I do photography and I work from home with my son , I am on income assistance in housing just trying to make the best life with my babies and get out of housing. I truly would adore a break, from Birdie Break.”

We shared the stories with our donor and allowed him to choose one - he graciously choose two, and we again matched his donation.

It was incredibly exciting to share the news with the winners, and we were greatly moved by the response! However, we felt conflicted, and our hearts just couldn’t let these other nominees down - there must be a way to support them all!

So, we’ve decided to create this page to find a way to help each and everyone of them and even more across Canada. Single parents throughout the country can be nominated (by themselves or through others) for “Free Birdie Breaks”, and we have also provided a space where individuals and corporate sponsors can financially support the initiative.