Being a single mom can be tough. Everything from the house and money to the kids falls on your shoulders. That amount of stress and responsibility can lead to a lot of frustration, stress, and burnout.
Many moms are fighting the same battle and looking for balance. The veteran single moms are happy to share their experiences and their tips on how to live a stress-free lifestyle. There are ways for a single mom to balance the demands of life and still enjoy time with their kids
Parenting as a single mom is possible. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or incredibly stressful. The reality is single moms can create a life they enjoy while still getting everything done. There are support systems and benefits available in many areas like financial assistance programs and insurance for single moms.
The Demands of Single Parenthood
Being a single parent comes with a lot of challenges. There are scheduling issues, the burden of finances on a single income, and many other potential mental challenges. It’s not something to be ashamed of or to sweep aside.
There are thousands of single moms and parents dealing with similar issues and stressors while still making it work. The biggest difference between those single parents who thrive rather than just survive is the approach to daily life and responsibilities.
While every mom and family is different, there are a handful of creative tips and tricks that almost anyone can use. These small pieces of advice help empower single moms with the right organization and mentality to be positive role models and provide for their children.
How to Create Balance
Like most things in life, it’s all about balance. As a single mom, this balance is even harder to find and maintain. But it is possible.
You can find the balance between motherhood, financial responsibilities, and enjoying yourself and your kids. It’s about making the most of your time and finding the easiest way to get everything done.
#1 – Start (and Update) Your Budget
One of the biggest challenges for single moms is finances. Paying the bills and allowing for fun or extracurriculars can be overwhelming. The best way to accomplish that is to create a budget and stick to it.
A budget isn’t meant to be restrictive. Instead, it creates established boundaries to operate within. It takes away a lot of the guesswork and more easily outlines the financial responsibilities each month.
Budgets are fluid, however. It’s important to revisit your budget at least every quarter. This will help you adjust the budget when new expenses arise or when there might be a little extra spending money.
#2 – Employ Autopay
Once the budget is set, set up autopay for those recurring monthly expenses and bills. Setting up and using autopay is a quick and easy way to take one thing off your plate. Autopay ensures your bills get paid on time, so you cut down on late charges while saving tons of time.
#3 – Research Assistance Programs
Single moms are eligible for a number of assistance programs. The federal government has established a few programs to help single mothers provide for their children.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a federal program that provides food-buying assistance for low-income families and single mothers. There are income restrictions and a few other requirements that must be met, but it’s worth looking into.
Another federal program aimed at helping single mothers is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC. WIC uses both state and federal opportunities to provide nutritional food, health care referrals, and guidance.
There are also many single-mother grants available. These grants can help make the financial situations of single mothers more manageable. There are different requirements or limitations put on these grants, so it’s important to do your research.
#4 – Don’t Be Afraid of Saying ‘No’
A lot of single parents can get sucked into the mentality of providing everything for their children. The truth is, however, that as a single parent, you can’t get them everything they want, desire, or even just ask for.
You don’t need to have a detailed conversation about the limitations or realities of your budget with your children, but having a short but honest talk can go a long way. Saying no is just an opportunity to teach your children about budgeting, saving, and self-control.
#5 – Find and Create a Support System
Being a single mom requires a lot of outside help. It’s important to identify and create the support system you need to accomplish everything on your to-do list.
You can also get creative with the support system. Consider getting connected with other single moms. Go on playdates, offer to watch another mom’s children while she runs errands, and then switch responsibilities, or set up a sleepover exchange.
When you need to get multiple kids to different sports activities or extracurriculars, find a carpool. Use other parents on the same team to get your children to and from these activities. If all else fails, turn to your trusted family members.
#6 – Create a Daily Schedule or Routine (and Stick to It)
Balancing all the daily tasks can be overwhelming when it’s just one parent. The trick is creating a flexible daily routine and sticking to it. Finding a routine in the morning will help create smooth mornings and ensure everyone gets out the door prepared and on time.
The same is true for evenings and bedtime. Creating a sustainable but flexible routine will help ensure everything gets done smoothly. A smooth bedtime routine can help everyone settle down and fall asleep.
#7 – When the Schedule Breaks Down, Have a Backup Plan
Because life is unpredictable, it’s important to understand that the schedule will break down. When things start to break down, it’s good to have a backup plan.
Once you have an established routine and schedule, draw up a backup plan. This plan doesn’t need to be overly detailed, but it should outline a few alternatives to the daily schedule.
#8 – Make Meal Planning Easy
Meal planning is one of the greatest tricks for making single parenthood a success. But even meal prepping can get out of hand and be less than manageable.
The trick to meal planning and prepping work is to establish a meal rotation. Find a handful of meals that are healthy, yummy, and repeatable. Rotate through these meals as often as possible. This takes out a lot of the guesswork but ensures the family gets fed.
#9 – Use Online Tracking Systems and Tools
There are thousands of online organization systems that make life easier and more manageable. Find the tracking and organization systems that work best for your life and your family. Use these systems to make life easier and more enjoyable.
#10 – Get the Kids Involved
There is a huge benefit to single parenthood, and that’s the extra help from children. A great way to take some of the pressure off the mom is to get the kids involved.
Give your kids some jobs and responsibilities. This helps take the burden off of mom while teaching kids the importance of hard work and responsibility.
#11 – Make Time for You
One of the best ways to balance the life and responsibilities of single motherhood is to make time for self-care. Taking care of everything and everyone else can leave you feeling depleted and overworked.
Make time to take care of yourself. Even if that’s a solo shopping trip once a month or a full splurge-filled spa day, take the time to fill your own cup so you can keep pouring into everyone else’s.
#12 – Stop the Comparison Game
Comparison is truly the thief of joy. There will always be someone doing it differently or doing it better, at least from where you’re standing. If you keep looking at other moms, you will miss the joys of your own life.
Stop comparing yourself to any other mom, single or otherwise. Focus on making your life more manageable and enjoyable.
#13 – Have Fun With the Kids
The most important job of motherhood is to have fun with your kids. Kids need to see that life isn’t all work and responsibility. There are ways to blow off steam and just have fun. After all, kids spell love T-I-M-E. Make time for the kids and good old-fashioned fun.
Single Moms and Insurance
Insurance, like many other areas of life, can be a burden or concern for single moms. In fact, full coverage for a single parent can cost over $100 more per year than coverage for a married couple. Can you add someone to your car insurance if you’re not married? Most major insurers will allow for joint coverage for unmarried couples and people who live together.
The good news, however, is that single parents can qualify for low-income insurance options. This plus other discounts and bundle opportunities can make insurance costs more affordable.
Being a single parent doesn’t mean everything has to be more difficult. There are ways to create balance and sustainability in life without sacrificing too much. Find the balance, create the support system, and enjoy this life with the kids.
Laura Gunn writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsuranceEZ.com. Laura is a mom to two young, active boys. She is passionate about all moms — married, single, or otherwise — being prepared but enjoying their lives.