Things that make my life easier as a Single mom

•       Friends that understand. I realized that as a single mom I need to change my friendship base. Not that I got rid of my old friends but just decided that I couldn’t share with them the things that I was going through because they didn’t understand. I started networking with other mothers at work via our parents network and reached back out to old friends I hadn’t spoken to in a while. You NEED friends that understand and will listen because they know what it is like and understand what you are going through!

•   Take time for yourself. IT’S OKAY! If you don’t take a few moments to breath you will be consumed and overwhelmed. Find a babysitter, a friend or family member if the ex is out of the picture and just go out. Whether its girls night out, shopping, movies, whatever. Sometimes as mothers we get so wrapped up in our children we forget about ourselves. I promised myself that I would not lose myself as a mother. Sooner or later our children will grow up and not need us as much and then we will scramble to rediscover ourselves. This should be a continuing evolution. As they grow we grow!

• ASK FOR HELP when it gets too much. We CANT do it all ourselves. Believe me I thought I could and realized I can’t.  I have had to depend on friends and family many times, both financially and emotionally.  Pride goes out the window as a single mom. If you don’t have friends and family there is 211 (http://www.211.org/) resource line that you can call, there are 24/7 hotlines ( Google it) available and counselors (whether through EAP at work or again..Google them in your area). DON’T  BE AFRIAD TO ASK AND FIND HELP!