Single Parenting for Dummies

Being a mom isn't easy, let alone being a single mom. Don't get me wrong, I have lots of help from my lovely fiancé, but I am still struggling. I pay 550 on my mortgage, 120-240 a month in electricity depending on the month, 150 a week in daycare costs (4kids), 20 for a phone, 120 a month for internet and the list goes on. I make roughly 1000-1100 a month after taxes. No, my bills and my finances don't add up, but somehow it works and I learned not to question it.

I also put gas in the car every week (Tim pays the car and insurance ect.) No one realizes I put 200 a month into the tank without saying anything. Yes, this month I am behind because of Christmas. I may have to just deal with the fact I will have to ask for help.

Asking for help can be the most hard thing to do. For me especially. And to be honest, this doesn't even stop at the bills. I am so exhausted after work, but I get up and take care of the kids after they come off the buss or back from daycare, do the housework, cook dinner, make sure they shower and brush their teeth and put them to bed. After all this is done, I have college work to do in order to try and get ahead in life.

Does this go appreciated? By the children, never. It is not their job to validate your existence or hard work. Now I am considering getting a second job in order to make those bills work out better. Child support you ask? Haha, yeah that will never happen. My ex keeps quitting his job and moving around so he doesn't have to pay.

I seen an amazing article the other day about giving 2400 a month to moms and I agree with this 100%. This would help out so many. And yes, there are single dad's out there and situations where this should not apply, but we could work out the kinks later. I wish I had the link to the article but It has been about two weeks since I seen it.

This would be amazing for so many, especially when a special needs child is at play. I work so hard, but need to be pulled from work frequently to come get my six year old from school or sit with him in class because they cannot handle him. I fell at such a loss because he needs this socialization and education, but No one around where I live seems to have the resources to help him.

So I go on, losing hours at work and not making ends meet. So yes, a second job seems to be the way to go. Thankfully I nailed the interview and I should have a second job within a week or two. I go for fingerprint testing today to prove I don't have a record. This means very little time with my kids, but while they are at school I can sleep and then I can spend some time with them before I go to work after they are in bed and Tim is home.

I understand a first and third shift job is gonna suck, but I have lived off caffeine before, why not now? And this brings another subject. If a single mom works, she is neglecting her kids. If she doesn't work, she is lazy. Why the hell must single moms always be shat on? Lift each other up, not tear each other down. Not everyone has the luxury to do what they really want to.

So in short, if you know a single mom or dad out there, please call them up and tell them they are doing a good job. It will probably make them cry, but they really need to hear this sometimes. I know I do.