How to Survive as a Single Mom in Today's Economy

According to the U. S. Census, there are approximately 10.4 single mother families in the United States. The challenges of being a single mom has never been easy, and in today's economy it has become even harder. Without a second income to rely on and without a partner to help with parenting, being a single mom can often seem like a daunting task. But single moms are resourceful; we learn to do with what we have. And when we don't have what we need, we figure out how to get it. For some women this is easier than others. Levels of education, the number of children we have, and the amount of support we received from others can make all the difference in the world between surviving and thriving. Here are a couple of things you can do to make life easier so that you will be the best mom you can be and be happy in the process.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• confidence
• persistence
• creativity
• energy
• support network
• spirituality

1. 
   Portrait of Mother and Child

   Be confident in your ability to be an effective parent and manage your family. Remember there are many women of all cultures and backgrounds who have found themselves alone as a parent and have been successful. There are many resources out there to help, but you have to believe in yourself to make it work. Without confidence, stress and depression can set in, neither of which is conducive to effective parenting.

2. 
   Portrait of Mother and Child

   Reach out to family, friends, and your community. There is some truth to the statement "It takes a village to raise a child". When you need help, you need to ask for it. No one will think less of you for it and your life will be that much easier.

3. Take on second job that you don't have to leave your kids for. For example, I took on a couple of paper routes to help in hard times and I took my son with me. I know women who have become Avon consultants, and women who have become writers for E-How to supplement their income, neither of which will take you away from your children.

4. 
   We Can Do It!

   Go back to school to increase your skills and make yourself more marketable. You can apply for grants and scholarships that will pay your way, one class at a time. I did, and I am now just a few short months away from completing my PhD.

5. Seek public assistance if you need it. That is what it is there for, and there is no shame in getting what you need to feed yourself and your kids. Just don't settle on public assistance as a way of life. Use it as a stepping stone to help you get to where you are going.

6. Start or join a play group. These types of groups are popular among moms for meeting new friends and expanding your support network. Many times, women will trade babysitting so that you can each get some much needed time to yourself.

7. 
   My Son Learning to use the Riding Mower

   Elicit the help of your kids. There is no reason why you can't have your kids help around the house. Have them take out the trash, feed the dog, clean off the porch, keep their rooms picked up, wash the dishes, cut the grass...You would be surprised at how much it helps to have everyone pitch in for the good of the family. It also teaches them responsibility.

8. Downsize. Get rid of the clutter. Go through old papers, throw away junk, and donate stuff you don't use to charity or have a yard sale. Living in a clutter free environment goes a long way in reducing stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed.

9. Sit at the family table for dinner time. If you don't have a dinner table, get one. It is especially important to stay connected with your kids when you are a single parent because it is only you who are responsible for them. It is easy to get distracted from work and all the activities of the day, and sitting down to eat together brings the family closer together.

10. 

    Cut back. You would be surprised where you can cut down on expenses if you are willing to make a sacrifice. Turn the lights off in rooms when you leave them, wash clothes one day a week, wash dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher, cut back on TV time, borrow movies from the library instead of renting, grow your own vegetables.

11. Save some money. Start with a jar where you can keep your change. Open a bank account. Take advantage of benefits of your place of employment. Cash in cans. Do whatever it takes to put aside some money so you are not caught off guard in the event of an emergency.

12. If you can afford it, get some insurance...flood insurance, fire insurance, renters insurance, life insurance. In the event disaster strikes, you will have some recourse for replacing your losses, and your kids will be taken care of in the event of your untimely death.

13. Establish a routine. Kids thrive on structure and routine, despite their complaints to the contrary. You will thrive too, if you get into a regular schedule.

14. Keep tabs on your children. Know where they are at all times. It is so easy to lose that close contact when you are working but you must make it a priority in order to keep your kids safe. Establish firm rules for when they are home alone, and enforce them.

15. Create a secret password that only you and your children know. In the event you need to send someone else to pick them up from school or in another type of emergency, your kids will know that they are to only go with whoever know the password. Anyone else is suspect. Teach them not to go with anyone who does not know the password!

Tips & Warnings

• This is just a few steps you can take to make life easier as a single mom. Talk to other single moms to find out what works for them and to get advice when you need it.

Resources

• We Can Do It! T-Shirts amd Gifts