single parenting,can you and child cope?  

They can make it although it is difficult. I raised two children on my own. I became single when my kids were 9 and 11 and so I raised them through their teen years... they both went to college and my daughter already graduated... The main thing I kept telling them was that they did not have to let statistics dictate their choices in life. It was in their hands and they needed to make thier own choices. They did well!

I honestly don't know how people do it. I think it's darn near impossible to be a good parent with a spouse. It's hard to give my kids all they need and still have a few minutes left over for some me time. (like typing on Mylot. ha ha.)
My sister in law is a single mom of 2 boys. She and her son both recieve SSI, but it barely pays the bills. Luckily, her mom was able to give her a house and a car. My sis in law is pretty batty, but somehow she holds it together.
My step brother is also a single father. I really think it takes a special kind of guy to be a single dad. You just don't see it much. It's always the men running out on the children, but in my neice's case, her mom left her. It was quite sad, she was just an infant when it happened. But my step brother has always done an excellent job taking care of her. He has a great job, great pay...I never see her in anything but the most expensive brands of clothing. She's well behaved but I seriously doubt the child hears the word no.
I see people do the single parent thing every day, but I seriously don't know how they cope. It seems to me like it would be grueling.