Meet Richard “RJ” Jaramillo, the Founder & President of SingleDad.com, the first comprehensive online resource developed exclusively for single dads, but single moms are welcome to join and give their input. He is a single father of three.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Richard “RJ” Jaramillo. I am 45 years old. I live in San Diego, California where I am a grateful father of three amazing children, as well as an entrepreneur, writer, website owner, mortgage banker.

How long have you been a single parent?

I have been a single parent for too long!

What are your children’s names and ages?

My children are Alexa-Gianna 16, Richard-Mossimo 14, and Mia-Isabella 10.

What is your favorite thing to do with your children?

Travel! Planes, trains, automobiles, and RV . . . You name it, we’ve done it!

What’s your favorite thing about being a single parent?

It’s the subtle joys of watching life through your child’s perspective; they keep you young, they keep you humble, and they teach you so much about life.

What’s the most challenging aspect of being a single parent?

Balancing family, career, and social life. I am a terrible boyfriend, I’m told!

What’s the best advice you ever received about single parenthood?

Nyquil fixes everything!

 

If you had a super power, what would it be?

To take away the pain of every family member that goes through a divorce or the loss of a loved one.

What book or magazine is currently on your nightstand?

The Last Time I Was Me . . . It’s a “chick” book, so don’t tell any of my friends that I am reading it.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I dream that I will one day have a sense of humor.

Where would you like to travel one day?

One day, I’d like to travel to Vegas, sober with more money this time . . . .

 

What’s on your “bucket list”?

1. Slow dance one more time with my ex-wife and tell her she did a wonderful job as a mother, co-parent and a wife.

2. Marry a “sassy but classy” woman.

3. Take my parents on a “Around the World” trip and have my three children join us on the last leg of the trip.

4. Be a grandfather.

5. Keep good mental and physical health and happiness.

6. Enjoy my homes in San Diego (summer & winter) and in Mammoth (fall & spring).

What would you do with one hour of alone time?

If I had one hour of alone time, I would use it to sit in my bath tub with a beautiful woman, a good book, and a glass of red wine.

What does it mean to be a happy single parent today?

Being a happy single parent today means living life with intent. The intent is being able to make life happen again. Time is a precious commodity, and it can’t be recycled, traded, or exchanged for more time. Being a modern single parent means we make every moment count in our lives. We care about the quality of the time we have and who we spend it with. Life is too short to dwell on the past choices and consequences. Being present with our imperfections and understanding our humanness makes us better fathers and mothers. There is no such thing as a “perfect parent”; only the choice to do the best we can under our own set of circumstances.