I ALWAYS say it's difficult to explain overseas life to those who haven't tried it. The uninitiated seem to have a romanticised vision of our lives. The truth is; we pack up our belongings along with our emotional baggage. Sometimes that means further complications to an existing situation and sometimes that means a chance at a fresh start altogether.

Take the example of single parenthood and visitation of children. It's a pretty tough position in your own home country so transplanting those challenges overseas may seem a bit overwhelming. Whether it is negotiating an international joint-custody agreement or arriving alone to all the cocktail parties, a single or divorced expat parent has unique obstacles to overcome. Yet, there are real benefits too.

If divorce is the reason for single parenthood then visitation is a big issue. If you had trouble working this out in your home country, it only gets more difficult if you live overseas. Who's going to pay for the airfare? How long will the visits last? Will it interfere with the child's school schedule? How do you manage transportation of a minor child alone on an international flight? And how about a very progressive suggestion: What do you do if the other parent wants to visit the child? Will you help him make hotel reservations nearby? Or, will you put him up in your spare bedroom?

Fortunately, there are many new resources available to parents facing these dilemmas. A quick scan of internet offerings shows the depth and breath of choices available:

· www.ondivorce.co.uk/supportinfo.htm - good general resource for all divorce topics including single parenthood

· www.opfh.org.uk - Holidays for One Parent Families - Organization that specialises in advice on holidays for single parents and their children together with links to similar organisations.

· www.geocities.com/singleparenttravelclub - Single Parent Travel Club - a self-help group of parents who organise days out, short breaks and holidays in the U.K. and abroad. It is open to all single parents with or without residency and is funded by an annual membership fee of just 7.50 pounds per year. Holidays range from two to 30 families and is limited only by members imaginations and budgets. Members receive four newsletters a year detailing what is on and when.

· www.planetyahyah.com/chronicles/my rings/LDP_1.html - The Long Distance Parenting Webring. To join this ring you must be either a parent or a child who is separated by a distance that prohibits you from making regular physical contact with each other.

· www.singleparents.org - international nonprofit organisation devoted to providing educational opportunities and fun activities for single parent families.

· www.singleparentcentral.com- home of "guerrilla" single parenting (an American expression meaning aggressive)

· www.parentswithoutpartners.org - PWP Inc. is the only international organisation that provides help in the way of discussions, professional speakers, study groups, publications and social activities for families and adults.

· www.singleparentsworld.com - Single Parents World online since 1995 if you're looking for support, ideas or anything parenting related for singles.

· www.makinglemonade.com - Ma-king Lemonade Single Parent Network offers single parent resources, links, chat, and more.

Even with all the difficulties, sometimes living abroad is a big help to all involved. As an expat parent, usually house expenses are covered and a generous salary package is a standard benefit. That can make a big difference to a single parent who might otherwise be fiscally strapped living in her home country. The other obvious perks (depending on where you are posted) include: cheap childcare and an education allowance for your child's schooling.

Another positive aspect may be a chance for a fresh start in the relationship department. Being the only single person at all the cocktail parties has its advantages. A new job, a new home and a new country may be your best motivation to move on from a previous relationship.