Financial Problems on Single Parents

There are many problems a single family is facing. These are: lack of social enganging, how to raise your child/children being the only one in the family, balance of time in work and duties in home and most especially financial stability. Not all of us are given a chance to live in this world who is highly stable in terms of money matters. Especially when the single parent in the family is only the mother itself because in terms of income, the father has the most modest income among the two.


Financial stability is one of the vital factors in parenting deny it or not. Yes, it is very significant because it encompasses day care needs, schooling, food, housing, medical/dental assistance and even the gifts and rewards you will give on your child/children - money really matters.

According to an article Financial Problems for Single Parents by Cynthia Gomez, single income, child support payments, job issues and unexpected expenses are some of the reasons why single parents are having difficulty in terms of financial matters.

The article states that if a single parent did not manages to work two jobs, he/she would definitely struggle financially and might as well ask government assistance to meet their financial obligations. Moreover, those single parents who have worked full time on their job, may have difficulties in handling their child/children. And one thing that made a single parent be problematic about his/her finances is the unexpected expenses like his/her child is ill.

There are so many things a single parent will always think, and we all know that at times we should make decisions forcibly but in the long run we will realize that after we made those decisions, we already gained the strength that we didn't know we had. But how should we overcome on these matters?

As I continued searching in the Internet, I read and encountered an article about Single Parenting Tips by Jennifer Wolf which talks about practical tips on how to cope with challenges and gain a sense of hope and personal strength for the days ahead. And I will cite some of those single parenting tips that the author tackled about:

1. Develop a Support Network
This is absolutely crucial. You need to know who you can depend on right now. Most likely, this network includes your immediate family and friends, but think about other people in your life who might also help you. Making an actual list of who these people are can help remind you that you're not alone.

2. Be Present with Your Kids
When you're with your children, make an effort to be emotionally present with them. It would be easy to retreat into your heart right now, but this is a time when your children truly need you more than ever. Simple activities like playing a board game or taking a walk together can go along way toward communicating the message that life will go on and they will, indeed, be okay.

3. Get the Facts About Your Situation
You might be tempted to make quick decisions right now about where to live and how to handle your finances. However, ignorance in this area can be extremely dangerous, and so can making rash, uninformed decisions. For now, take the time to find out where you stand financially. Gather the necessary papers in order so that when you are emotionally ready to make changes, you'll be prepared and able to make informed decisions.

4. Grieve and Pay Attention to your Physical Health
Expressing your feelings is important to your overall health. Schedule a regular "date" with a friend to vent, cry, and grieve. Aside from that, this may be a time when you are feeling especially worn down and drained. Combat that by making the effort to eat healthy foods and choose energizing ways to fuel your body.

5. Identify What Gives You Strength
In the past, how have you handled challenging times in your life? What most energizes you and reminds you that you possess the strength needed to meet the current challenge? Focus on what has worked for you in the past.

6. Let Go of What Isn't Working
Likewise, let go of what has not worked for you. As you move through this first year, reflect on the habits and choices that have not served you well, and decide to change them. In addition, if there are things from the past that you cannot change, let go of unhealthy guilt and remorse.

7. Focus on the Positive
This is a time of new growth in your life. Take the time to think about the things that are going well for you. Having a positive attitude - even in the midst of extreme circumstances - can empower you to move ahead and provide your children with a tangible example of the coping strategies you want them to adopt.

8.  Ask for Help
Of all of the single parenting tips listed here, this one is probably the most difficult to apply. However, you must know that there really are people around you who would love to help! Keep in mind, too, that asking for help and letting others into your life is a gift to yourself and to the person assisting you. Sharing in one another’s lives during difficult times affirms our human connection and brings a sense of purpose to everyday living.

To sum these things up, just accept the situation you have and be optimistic on what is happening because you are not just now living for yourself. You are also now living for your child/children and you are the one that they are depending into. Just imagine your children suffering to your situation and you have nothing to do with it. You will be the only one who will raise your child/children and fufill the duties of a mother and a father.

We all have our different stages in life, and in all of these stages, there is always a problem to face. So, one thing I want to impart to all of you readers, "Don't stop learning, cause if you do, you will start decaying." Learn from all the problems and mistakes you will encounter and that will make you a better person especially for those single moms or dads out there.