looking for other single moms

[oklahomagal]

I thought I might start a single mom support thread.

My name is carla, I am a single mom to 5 kids. 4 of them live with me and they are all under 10, my 12 yr old elected to try living with dad this yr.

So lets talk! How do you all get your school work done and manage to have time to stay sane?

Carla (2011 fall nursing student hopeful)

[oklahomagal]

OKgal, I wish there were more people like you at my school

Thank you :)

[oklahomagal]

Not to worry, you'll have plenty of company in nursing school. You cannot swing a dead A&P student without hitting a platoon of single moms at my school. Hell, at least three of my classmates *became* single moms after the dang nursing program started.

That just more motivation to stay single and not worry about trying to start a relationship until this part of my life is over with.

[rn/writer, RN]

Have you chosen to not use gvt assistance or did you just not qualify? I know if it wasnt for my foodstamps there would be days that my children would have gone hungry. I know alot of people dont like other people to get govt assistance, but I see it as a means to get where I need to be, making enough money for my family to survive comfortably. Honestly if it weren't for FS, I wouldnt have continued college because I would have gotten a second job. But thats a whole different story.

Don 't mean to horn in on your thread, but I had to address the comment in bold.

I think I speak for many when I say that I'm happy to help folks like you take care of your families while you get through school. If temporary aid can help you cross the bridge to independence, it's money well spent. That's what the safety net is for.

Thank you, all of you, for undertaking such a challenge. Even though you might feel at times like you are short-changing your kids (and any kid worth their salt will exploit those emotions now and again), you are teaching them so much by your example. Keep pointing out the positives to them, the future you're building, the closeness you have when you all have to work together, the self-respect you're instilling in yourself and in them.

It will be worth it. You have much to be proud of. I'm proud of each of you.

[oklahomagal]

Miranda,

I just saw your comment. Thank you for your understanding and encouragment. :heartbeat

Carla

[lala81]

I'm also a single parent & mother of a 3 y/o. i will be starting nurisng school full time and working full time..im also very nervous but ready for this new challenge in my life

[tscharf]

Word of advice - learn to not waste any time. Seriously, when my daughter is awake I check email, pay bills, do some grading, do the dishes/laundry, etc. When she goes to bed, I start the school work. (I teach math full-time and am taking nine credits of pre-reqs that I hadn't already taken. My husband has been away since before our daughter was born so I might as well be a single mom.

I've also learned to say "yes!" when people ask if I need anything. Whether it's watching my daughter for a few hours, watching her while I'm in class, giving me clothes (for me or for her), etc., it's all stuff that I wouldn't have if I hadn't said yes! Our closest family is four hours away, so I really have to depend on our friends for help. Ask for help when you need it - barter services if necessary.

I also agree with rn/writer. If you qualify for services, use them! Once you graduate and start working, you are going to be paying taxes to support those programs. (If you can get FS, it's more money to spend on textbooks. :-) )

We can do it, ladies!

[Getting To Great]

hello to all!

i am also a single mother of a beautiful 5 month son, and all i can say is 'be encouraged.' this goes out for some of the post that i read from immaculate mother's sharing their testimony’s-'mistakes are stepping stones to an evolving life. ultimately, life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain.' let's make this wonderful journey happen for ourselves and family.

:hug: