How Being a Divorced Mother Can Hurt Your Income

It can be very difficult to be a single mother, especially now. If you are just in the midst of a divorce, you may finally see how much help you got from your ex. That can make it even harder to find balance as a working single mother.

Many women feel like being a divorced mother can hurt their income. Here are some reasons why they feel like this.

Many women are the primary caregiver of their children. They are the ones who have to take off work when their children are sick. If their children have off of school or are doing virtual learning, these mothers have to balance work with that.

Some women worry about their jobs due to this. They may worry that they may lose their job because they have to take too much time off because of their children. Some women feel like they don't get a raise or a promotion because they are struggling to do it all!

Do you feel this way? Here are some things that you can do about it.

Find the right job. The right job will see you as an asset, not a problem. It might also help to find a job that offers you the opportunity to work from home when you can, as well as some flexibility in your shifts to help with childcare options.

Don't overlook short-term jobs. There is nothing wrong with a job that isn't permanent. This may allow you to try several different jobs until you find something that you really enjoy. You may even be lucky enough to turn this into a permanent job.

And part-time jobs. Working part-time can be a great thing for single mothers. You will still have plenty of time at home with your children, while still being able to support your family.

Or freelance jobs. Freelance jobs are thriving right now. It allows single parents (and anyone else that wants to) to be able to work when they are able. They can pick and choose the jobs that they want to take so that they can still work and raise their children!

Don't be afraid to ask for help. It can be a big adjustment going from two parents to just one. You can't be expected to do everything! You may need to hire someone to help you around the house so that you have enough time to spend with your children. As your children grow, you can give them chores to help around the house. Your parents may also be a great asset as you find your footing as a single working parent.

It is also important that you learn to work with your ex (when it comes to the children). Though it takes time, you are going to want to find a new way to work with your ex. You may ask him to step up when you are overwhelmed at work. He may be able to help with taking your children to different activities. You may have to do the same when he is swamped! This is just better for your children (and yourself).

Though you may be struggling with finding a balance between working and your children, it can be done. Many women get up every day, take care of their children, the house, and their job. It helps to have the right job, even if you take a part-time or short-term job to get started. You may even want to look into freelancing. It also helps if you can find a way to work with your ex, to take some of the pressure off of you!

Previously published on Medium.