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5 Toughest Single Mom Struggles

Single parents probably read the title of this article and think, “Ha! They’ve narrowed it down to just five?” In fairness, we realize that the challenges of caring for kids alone are innumerable. But there are some hardships unique to the individual, and others that are universal for all single moms. So this list hits those 5 common single mom struggles.

But don’t worry—we’re not just going to remind you of why things feel tough. What kind of friend would we be if we did that? We’ve also got some encouragement and suggestions to help you deal with it.

1. Financial Strain

The most common life events that lead to single parenthood—death, divorce, etc.—upset more than just your marital status. They upset your finances and leave one adult shouldering a load that is typically carried by two.  Single moms often hang in limbo waiting for child support that never arrives or paying attorneys to pursue what should be paid. Even if you’re a single adoptive parent and chose the challenge of going it alone, it’s still tough. There always seems to be a little less in the checking account than what your kids need.

While you can’t control others (like an ex-spouse), you can control your own decisions and get organized and intentional about handling your money to lessen the stress. Consult with a financial planner, or take a course at your church like Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University to help make every dollar go as far as possible. And remember: What your children need most—your love—you do have in abundance. Lavish them with that, and lay down the guilt of not being able to give them every material thing they desire.

2. Social Isolation

This is one of the single mom struggles that’s more complex. Single moms sometimes feel trapped underneath a mountain of responsibility that never allows them to invest in friendships, much less find another companion for life. Working single moms say the guilt of leaving the kids in the evening to do something just for themselves is crushing. Add to that the cost of hiring a sitter and getting out of the house for adult interaction seems almost impossible.

You need friendships and encouragement, so this isn’t a frivolous single mom struggle. Look for environments that allow for some social time for you while keeping the kids occupied or entertained: a church small group that offers childcare, an exercise class at a gym with a kids’ space, or a play date with other parents. And maybe once a month, splurge for that sitter or trade out childcare with another parent to go to dinner with friends and really talk about what’s going on in your life.

3. Decision Pressure

Parenting is hard. There are so many gray areas, and the game changes daily as your children grow. For married parents, there’s at least another adult to talk things out with and to share the burden of making tough decisions. Single parents bear the weight of all of those tough calls alone—where to go to school, which friends are OK, or when a child is mature enough for a new privilege or responsibility. The emotional burden can wear a mom down in a hurry.

Seek out a trusted parenting mentor or friend to bounce some thoughts off of. It might be a friend from church, your own parents, or a pastor or counselor. Make sure your chosen sounding board shares your fundamental values so you’ll be sure to receive advice that matches up with them. Although the final parenting decision will still be yours, getting feedback on your parental plan can lessen your anxiety and embolden you to do the hard things that parenting sometimes requires.

4. Guilt

Of all the single mom struggles, this one might be the hardest to fight against. Is there any end to the guilt a single parent feels? If you know that your decisions (some of which you may regret) contributed to your current family status, it’s especially present. There’s guilt about the financial things you can’t provide, the time you spend away from the kids, and the things you can’t do because of your situation. Regardless of how your children became the kids of a single parent, you worry daily about the effect it’s having on them and feel responsible.

If your single status is the result of a poor decision, own your mistake, learn from it, and move on. We all make mistakes, and the guilt we feel is only helpful when it helps us to correct problems and become better people. If your current situation is the result of the mistakes of another, do yourself a favor and forgive. The burden of anger is too much for you to bear forever. You can’t get in a time machine and fix the past, but you can do your best to make today better—so focus your energy there. Work on relationships with your kids’ other parent/step-parent so they feel less friction. Be a great example today, and trust God to fill in the gaps beyond your reach.

If your current situation is the result of the mistakes of another, do yourself a favor and forgive. Click To Tweet

5. Fatigue

Let’s face it: You’re doing alone what was designed to be a two-person job. The fact that you often feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually worn out is not just your imagination. But because your kids depend on you, you can’t afford to push yourself past a certain point. You must take care of yourself and your health to be there for them.

Find ways to take a breather, even if you have to swap out child care with another single parent to make it happen. Spend that time recharging in some way that will continue to pay benefits when the busyness kicks back in: with exercise, spiritual growth, or good, old-fashioned sleep. It’s not selfish to maintain the engine that keeps your home running: you.

What single mom struggles do you want people to know about? 

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