Motherhood is challenging on its own, but when you are a single mother, it gets more complicated. It doesn’t matter whether you are a widow, divorcee, or never married; single parenting requires all you have.
When you raise a child (or children) on your own, you know it can be a struggle to find sufficient energy, time, support, and money. However, this doesn’t mean that single mothers cannot thrive. They can, and they do! Take advantage of the available resources and do what’s best for you and your kids. To make things a little easier, we suggest some self-care tips for single mothers.
1. Make Self-Care A Priority
Single motherhood is hectic and tiring. Mothers constantly make sure everything gets done, including kids’ dinner and homework, house chores, work, finances, and much more.
Amidst it all, a supermom forgets self-care, neglecting themselves. It is essential to have some me-time. Take care of your health and fitness, get yearly checkups and dental visits, sleep well, and invest time in fun activities and hobbies.
We understand that being a mother is an extremely important job; however, do not let it be the sole thing defining you. Remember, you’ll only be able to take care of your kid when you are well and thriving.
2. Accepting Help
Single moms do not have to do it all by themselves, and it’s okay to accept that you might need a little assistance. Often, family and friends want to help you with kids or other miscellaneous errands, and you should graciously allow them to help you. If your mother offers to pick up your kids from school or do grocery shopping for you, accept it. You can use the extra time.
Similarly, there is no shame in asking for help as well. You don’t have to wait for people to offer their help; instead, let your family and friends know if they are free to assist you regarding something. In short, take advantage of available resources.
3. Set Goals
Balance home and work life by making plans and setting goals. It is highly imperative and works in your favor. It doesn’t matter if a goal is big or small; you can have a fitness goal that you’ll work out 4 days a week, a travel goal that you wish to save up enough to go to Disneyland, a career goal, an educational goal, etc.
After setting a goal, plan how you can achieve these goals. This will bring more discipline, purpose, and success to your life.
4. Create A Routine
Routine is vital for everyone, especially children, as it gives them a sense of control and discipline. A lack of routine in single households can become incredibly chaotic and unpredictable.
Therefore, make sure to create a routine for you and your child, including mealtime, bedtime, screen time, playtime, and weekend routines. This will help you manage your time and juggle several things more efficiently.
5. Don’t Be Hard On Yourself
Lastly, take it easy and don’t be critical of every move you make. Don’t feel guilty if you order takeaway instead of making dinner because you had a tiring day. Moreover, do not compare yourself to other moms as well. Everyone is trying to do their best for their child, and so are you.
