Let’s assume you are of of the stressed-out single mom? Don’t be sorry. For whatever reason, it’s incredibly frequent to be a single mother. In fact, single mothers head over 15 million families in the US. This indicates that you are undoubtedly experiencing the same difficulties as many other women who are single mothers.
Regrettably, studies have also found that single mothers’ quality of life is lower than that of married mothers. This clearly illustrates the difficulties faced by lone mothers.
While you raise your children alone, you will certainly experience a variety of stresses. Notwithstanding what the evidence suggests, being a single mother can still result in a high quality of life.
So inside this great post, we will be sharing key tips to help you overcome those single mom struggles. So if you’re a struggling mother, then take heart because we’re here to help! But first, let’s go over some of the common struggles single moms face.
The most common single mom struggles
Of course dealing with single mother struggles is tough! Here are some of the most common struggles experienced by single moms.
First is Being tired all the time
Being “on” all the time for your children is really demanding, especially if they wake up early. Also, there are no breaks. Mom funk is a genuine thing. You take care of their entertainment needs in addition to cooking meals, washing clothes, driving kids to appointments and school. That is a nonstop job.
Even without all of your daily responsibilities, taking care of a young child may be mentally taxing. It might be stressful to attempt to provide them the ideal childhood, and you want to be sure you’re doing a good job.
Then not having enough “me” time
Many times, it’s can be hard to get a moment alone in the bathroom, let alone an entire night to sit on the couch to catch up on your favorite Netflix shows. It’s sweet that the kids always want to be close to you, but having time alone to get back in touch with yourself is important too.
Sometimes you just want to unwind with a favorite show or book. After a while, you may feel like you have no personality or interests anymore. You’re living only for your kids, which is noble, but that’s not the way it has to be.
When struggling to pay the bills
It’s tough to afford kids on only one income. Especially if you can’t work full-time or need to pay for daycare. You might find yourself struggling to pay for your kids’ growing appetites, school needs, and sports activities and still have money left for rent or utilities.
If you’re not careful, you may even find yourself in credit card debt, which can be hard to get out of, especially if you have a limited income.
Getting judged
You have enough single mother struggles without worrying about what others think. But unfortunately, there are some that may be judgemental of your situation.
No matter how hard you try, sometimes the actions of others have a way of bringing you down. Despite trying not to care what others think, it can be hard not to feel hurt by it.
Not being able to start a college fund
If you’re struggling to pay the bills, a college fund might be the last thing on your mind. But it’s important, as the average cost for tuition, fees, room, and board was $35,331 per year in 2022. And who knows what it will be up to by the time your kids are ready to attend?
Obviously, starting a college fund when they’re little can give you time to build up wealth to cover some of their costs. But being unable to do so could contribute to your mental stress, making things even more difficult for you.
Getting no support from your ex
One of the toughest single parent struggles can be dealing with an ex. Maybe they’re supposed to pay child support or watch the kids a few days a week.
If they’re not chipping in, it can be frustrating and put even more strain on you as a single parent. It can be even more stressful if you are a first time new mom. Not having the support you need can make things feel very overwhelming.
Losing touch with your friends
Although you adore your little one you may find you don’t have the time to stay in touch with some friends as you use to. Your childless friends might not understand why you can’t get together like you did before and might start to pull away.
It’s not that they don’t want to hang out with you anymore — they just don’t understand all of the single mom struggles you go through as a parent. It can be tough to maintain relationships when you have different lifestyles.
7 Tips for navigating single mom struggles
You probably read the list above and thought… how do they know me so well? The truth is, you are not alone in facing these single parent struggles! That said, here are some key ways you can help yourself overcome them.
1. Focus on your well-being
Your kids are probably always your number one focus, but just keep in mind; you’re important too. Your health and well-being should also be a priority. If you get sick physically or mentally, you won’t be able to take care of your kids.
Try to get to bed earlier so you can get a full eight hours of rest, which is the amount recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. Get more exercise to boost your energy levels — it might seem a bit counterproductive, but exercise has been shown to activate the mitochondria in your body, leading to more energy.
Of course, you should also aim to eat healthily by limiting the amount of harmful foods and beverages you consume. whenever possible, stick to fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates, and lean proteins.
Call a friend or babysitter if the kids aren’t really being cooperative so you can get some rest. Even our 30-day glow-up challenge is available to you! Give it your best effort, but don’t worry if you can’t make it all the way through!
Make the most of any free nights you do get. Have fun! Take a bubble bath and listen to music. Yet, you shouldn’t feel bad if all you do is curl up in bed for a peaceful night.
2. Also look for support
It’s important to find support wherever you can. See if you can join a mommy group that takes turns watching everyone’s kids. Even getting one night off a week could do wonders for your mental health!
It also might be time to look elsewhere for emotional and financial support, whether that’s friends, family, or babysitters. If you have a neighborhood teenager looking for a little cash, they might be a good, affordable option for giving yourself a break.
There are also plenty of networks across the country specifically tailored to single parents. You can reach out if you need help with any single mother struggles you are facing. These include:
- Parents Without Partners
- Single & Parenting
Seeking support is one of the best ways to navigate difficult single parent struggles!
3. Get your finances in order to get relief
Finances play a major role in single mom struggles. That’s why it’s important to make time for your finances so you can see ways to cut back or reduce bills. This might mean scheduling time a few days a month so you can deep dive into your accounts.
Work to create a budget that accounts for your normal bills, utilities, and rent. Make sure you also put some aside for savings and a little for having fun.
If you’re really struggling, look into rent assistance for single moms to see if you can get help in this area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers Section 8, state-sponsored housing, and public housing for mothers who need a place to live.
Your state should also offer Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Women, Infants, and Children benefits to help you pay for food and other necessities.
It’s all about leveraging key tips to ensure you can manage financially as a single mom.
4. Don’t worry about what others think
We know this is easier said than done. You can’t change other people, but you can change how you value their opinion. Clearly, they don’t understand what your life is like, so try to focus on yourself and not let their opinions get to you!
It doesn’t matter what your situation is; it only matters that you’re making the most of it and giving your kids the best life you can. If you have people in your life causing you to feel bad about yourself, it may be time to distance yourself from them. It may be hard at first, but eventually, you will heal and find friends that are more supportive of you.
5. Look into boosting your income
If the bills just keep piling up and you can’t even think about saving anything, look into a part-time stay-at-home job to get a little extra income. Freelance writing, being a virtual assistant, and even online ESL tutoring are all examples of things you can do as a mompreneur.
Once you have a little extra cash flow, consider a custodial account. It lets you invest on behalf of your kids so you can build up some wealth for them when they’re older. Your money is put in the stock market to boost your savings more, making it a great choice for a college fund.
6. Seek legal action if needed
If your ex is breaking the rules you set for custody, you could go to court if you have a legal agreement. The judge might be able to help, especially if it’s clear they’re not doing their part. They may be able to rule in your favor and dictate that your ex pay their child support.
If you don’t want to go to court — after all, it costs money and takes up even more of your time — try to be civil and discuss the issues with them. You may want to consider having a third party facilitate negotiations — perhaps a mutual friend you both trust not to take sides.
7. Socialize with other single moms
Preschool fees might vary greatly from state to state. The varying cost of living elements that exist across the nation are the key to the solution. If you reside in a region with a high cost of living, you may anticipate that your preschool will be expensive. Preschool costs will probably be cheaper for people who live in low-cost areas.
Nonetheless, the kind of school can significantly affect pricing even within cities. Prices for a highly sought-after preschool can frequently be more than those for a less exclusive preschool with a shorter waiting list.
Even though you’re drifting apart, you should still make an effort to stay in touch with these folks because they played a significant role in your past. Discuss the things you still have in common or your best prior shared memories rather than dwelling on your differences.
Remember, every single moms can overcome their struggle
These above facts and premium guide should help you feel better about yourself financially, emotionally, and intellectually. Do not be too hard on yourself; we are all doing the best we can.
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