How do I juggle being a single mom, working a full time job and being a person?

this is how you build character

you can either tough it out or give up

everyonce ina while take a vacation to bring urself back together

I always tried to help my mom as best I could (5 kids total, I’m the #3 and the first of 2 girls). To be perfectly honest, I still don’t know how she did it. She always talked to us as adults but let us act like kids. My oldest brother married an older woman who already had 3 children and owns a tattoo parlor. My older brother is married with 2 beautiful children and serves in the US Army (Hooah!), I got my B.A. in two years (I’m 21) and have a well paying job. My little sister is getting her license in massage therapy. My baby brother (pride and joy, my favorite) is 17, almost done with high school, and being offered scholarships from schools all over the country. Ican’t give much insight on how she did it, but if you go to my page, under my contacts, she’s Kathy J if you want to ask her. Good luck. I commend you. More mom’s should take such an active role.

get your children involved as much as possible; your 6 yr old is old enough to tidy up on his own, i’m a single mom as well and have been raising them both on my own since they were babies; never married. i was raised with a single mother as well and learned off of her. get organized; set a time for laundry or do a bit during the week so it’s not over bearing your time. everyone needs time to themselves; if you’re ex is in the picture and he takes your kids; use that time wisely, get housework done etc.
it’s not easy and you’ll get used to it and set up your own system to cope. good luck.

I have been doing the same for almost 5 years with 3 children. It’s hard, very hard but as time goes on you will figure it out and it will be easier. Set one goal a day, and it will all eventually work out.

As for the attention time with the 6 year old, reserve some time each night with him. Read with him, draw with him, play with him. I would make sure it was the same time every night. Make him aware of this special time with him and he’ll have something to look forward to. He is probably adjusting just like you are. It’s hard on everyone involved. Oh and make a special time for your 12 year old too.

You cannot “do everything” and you have to deal with the consequences.

Your children will suffer due to your inability to keep your family together and healthy.

Your 12 year old should not be put in a position of helping pull what is left of your family together. She should not be made to grow up before her time.

Perhaps you should have tried harder to keep your family together. Find a family therapist to help you do what is right for your children.

Your 6 yr old is old enough to help as well! He is not a baby and should have regular weekly chores to do! Get him under control at once! Do not allow him to act up in school, he should be punished at home for that! You can’t not discipline the kids because you are tired or feel sorry for them. You have to stay on them and make them mind or they will take advantage and be out of control! All the financial responsibility should not be yours since you should get child support! Do not let that go, stay on it and get what the kids need! You can’t expect to do it all and still have a smile on your face all the time. It’s going to be hard work and your kids are your life now. Concentrate on them, not you! A routine will emerge and things will get a bit easier, especially if you keep your children under control! Good Luck

The answer is, YOU DONT! Find a network of support, be it women at church, a single moms group, the library, someplace that can relate. Help with child care on those days you need a break. Go to the library with the kids and take time out for yourself. Go to church and find solid male role models for your kids to learn from, like Boy-Girl scout groups, sporting activities and so on. And for yourself, set aside 30 minutes each day. Have soft calming music, a hot bath with candles and scents, escape by treating yourself. Pretty soon, you will begin making more time for yourself and for your family. Finally, go to GOD prayerfully. He will listen without fail, provide answers when you least expect it, and calm and comfort you at the most difficult moments. I pray that helps. God bless you.

Expect the balls to drop every once in a while.

Get the kids involved with cooking and doing the laundry…the things that directly affect them.

Have everyone sit down for dinner (or what ever meal you’re all available) every day.

When my hubby and I seperated I learned exactly what time management was. While I was fixing supper the kids sat at the table and did their homework so I was right there to help if they needed it, if one didnt have homework they were there helping out by opening cans getting things out of the fridge etc. Supper was always at the table and those 30 minutes was catch up time for them to tell me about their day. I made a chore chart and placed it on the fridge door. Simple things that gave me an extra 20 minutes a day of not having to do but gave the kids some responsibility. When the kids went to visit dad I took advantage of it and instead of doing housework I made plans for lunch with friends, if the kids dont go see dad arrange playdates that will give you an hour alone. Your son acting out is he is afraid you will leave too so no matter what you are doing get him involved having him help cook is not only teaching him a valuable lesson but giving the two of you time together to talk while you do a task.

You just do it! Lots of us do it every day!!!!
This is what makes you a strong woman.
Don’t do laundry every night-do it on the weekends and one load(towels,etc) during the week. Plan your dinners ahead..prep whatever you can the night before, set aside a 1/2 at night to look at homework, rely on friends and family-everyone one needs a break, schedule a girls’ night every month.
I know it’d hard but you just have to do what you do.

I have one salary but I make it work…look at all your bills-reduce what you can…and just try to save what you can.
Good luck

The story of my life! I have 2 kids, 11 and 9, divorced for 6 years, and all responsibility is on me! Being a single mom is THE most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do. Plus having to work full time makes it so much harder. As WI MOM says:”Perhaps you should have tried harder to keep your family together”, that was rude! It’s NOT for anyone to say such a thing, nobody knows the details of why you are divorced. For me, my ex was abusive therefore, staying together was NOT an option nor in the best interest of my kids. You will have days that you just want to cry and give up and days when you feel you can manage. Yes it is so hard, but as time goes by it will get a little better. Having the kids help out is important. Having your family (mom, dad, sisters, brothers, etc.) helping out is great too. Ask if you need the help, don’t feel embarassed or ashamed. They are there to help you!

I know its hard. I have a 12 yr old son, a 6 yr old son and a 4 yr old daughter. Have a routine, talk every night. The house doesn’t have to be spotless, I decided that I would drive myself crazy trying to keep my house spotless all the time. My kids pick up after themselves, all 3 keep their rooms clean, when clothes come out of dryer, all 3 go and grab theirs and put them away, they race to see who gets done first. My boys take out the trash, my daughter helps put dishes away out of dishwasher. I always keep dishes rinsed after use, so when we load dishwasher we’re not scrubbing food off of dishes first, As soon as kids get home from school they get a snack, I help my 12 yr old with his homework then he helps his brother and sister with theirs while I pick up some and start dinner. During dinner we all sit together and talk about our day. After baths and showers we all read books together and when I tuck them in at night I always start a little early and spend ten minutes with each one alone individually so we can just talk one on one. They don’t hardly need me to discipline them because they are very close, I was blessed. My children don’t fight with each other, they are good friends with each other. They even give each other a hug and tell each other they love each other before going to bed at night. I have tried to teach them that family is there for each other and they are the only siblings they will have and they need to respect each other, be there for each other , and love one another. They talk out their problems with each other if they have a problem, they dont hit or scream at each other, because thats what I do with them. Occasionally I will get a niece or nephew or one of my sisters to watch them and I will get some alone time to be an adult!! (which for me is sleep!)

Be strong, your kids will be fine if you are fine!

you have to sacrifice a lot. but your kids would appreciate it for it when they grow up. keep at it!

Singls moms DON’T do everything. We do what we can and do the most important (taking care of, paying attention to the children) first. The rest of it can wait. I used to have a sign posted across from my front door stating that my child was more important to me than the dustbunnies under the sofa but if they really had a problem with the way my home was they could feel free to grab a dust cloth or the vacumn cleaner and go to town!

Start with the discipline, and take it step at a time.