Of all single parents, it's the singletons who often claim to be lonely. When we feel like that, every couple walking past hand in hand seems to be lucky enough to have the solution - a boyfriend or girlfriend. Don't forget though, this couple could feel lonely because all they've got is each other, and she can't talk widgets and he can't do chit-chat They might look at the singleton with their circle of friends and think they have the answer to loneliness - friends. As they say 'The grass is always greener'. So if you're prone to that lonely feeling, then start to understand what it really is and let's crack it....

Q1 What do you really mean when you say you feel lonely? What other words coud you use to describe the feeling? Be as accurate and detailed as you can be.

Q2 Write down some examples of times you’ve felt like this

Q3 Can you see a pattern? Are there any different times or situations when you feel lonely? For example with lots of couples, alone in the evening, when the children are playing you up etc?

Q4 What do you think it is about these times that makes you feel lonely? Is it that they make you feel jealous or different to other people? Or is it when you're worn out and tired etc?

Q5 What have you done to try and stop feeling like this?

Q6 How did that work? What worked well, why’s that? What didn’t work so well? Why’s that?

Q7 What else could you do? If you can’t think of anything, think of things you’ve seen or heard others do. What would you advise a friend of yours to do?

Q8 For each idea you’ve thought of think how you would go about doing it? What would be the first thing you’d do etc.?

Q9 Now decide which you could imagine yourself doing and set yourself an action plan with targets and deadlines’