How to survive as a young Single Mother

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Being a single mom is hard enough... but being young, single, and broke can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here are some ideas to keep you afloat:

Steps

1. Wake up every morning with a plan already in place for what you need to accomplish for that day.
   
2. Analyze what your priorities are to help make this plan a reality (i.e getting the kids) to school, getting yourself to work, deciding what to make for dinner, getting needed items from the store, helping children with homework, etc.)
   
3. Once a week, pick and stick with the same day and write down a plan for what you need to get done for the week ahead. Write down work schedule, school schedules, bills and the due dates, for example.
   
4. Keep these schedules for a quick reference throughout the day and week.
   

Tips

• Don't be too hard on yourself, as being the best mom you can be for your children's future is the task at hand. You won't be poor and alone forever if you stay positive and motivated.
  
• Do your best to get child support from the father.
  
• Use the internet and local social service agency (if you don't have home access, go to the library) to seek information about receiving benefits. Even the lowest amount is helpful.
  
• Don't think that you are above receiving charity. When you are in a better stage in your life, you can choose to be picky. Accept all help when you can get it. Remember to help others once you are able.
  
• Try not to let your children know that you are struggling. They will know of your troubles, they don't need to feel insecure as well.
  
• Don't quit a job until you find another one, no matter how much you hate it.
  
• Don't give up! Life won't be this bad forever. Make a financial plan, stick to it, and live day by day. Thinking too far ahead can leave you feeling you may never catch up and you will lose motivation.
  
• Save every dime.
  
• Expand your education at every opportunity.
  
• Reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by compartmentalizing your problems. This means that you look at each one by itself, instead of looking at all of them at once.
  

Warnings

• Do not fall in love with men if they do not like kids. You can't change their mind. Some people just know when they are uncomfortable around children and you don't want these people around anyway. Your children don't deserve to be unhappy and neither do you.
  
• If you do find a man who enjoys children, don't depend on him to save you. He could be hit by a car tomorrow and then where would you be? Depend on yourself even if things seem secure.
  
• Do not have another baby until you can afford it. If you always wanted four kids but you can only afford one, you might have to change plans to provide for your child.
  
• If you do get bogged down with pressures of being poor, single and a parent, do not take it out on your kids. They feel the pressure too.
  

Things You'll Need

• Tissues
  
• Friends and family to talk to
  
• Open ears- to find out about resources in your area
  
• Hugs from your kids- so that you remember what your priorities are
  
• Internet access
  
• Knowledge of you local social service benefits
  
• Lawyer, if possible
  
• As much education as possible
  

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