Single Moms Balancing Act

SINGLE MOMS BALANCING ACT

BY Leora Jackson 

Previously published by Leora Jackson May 10 2010

Memphis is perhaps the Single Mom Capital of the US. Primarily, this is due to the number of single mothers that are 18 and under. According to the Urban Child Institute of Memphis, 8, 617 single mothers gave birth in Shelby County in 2009. This statistic continues to increase as more and more children are born into poverty and the single mother epidemic continues to repeat itself, especially among the young and uneducated low income households.

However, there are many older women that are now single mothers due to divorce, death of spouse, single mom by choice or other. These women sometimes deal with the pressures of juggling work, dating relationships, social life, church and most of all….their children. These women are working and educated, and must deal with the pressures of everyday life situations. Some women are able to adapt and balance it all very well without missing a beat. Others fumble with doing just one thing well and miss out on enjoying their much needed social life.

A few single moms in the 9 to 5 workforce were asked about how they view their single mother status. Some stated that they wish they could network with other single moms in the area to discuss activities with their children, compare daycares, talk and share shopping secrets and dating. Some single mothers, whom are alone with no other family in the city, really feel the burden the hardest and must rely on church, friends and coworkers for a stress relief break.

Regardless of the situations, from low income to upper class, balancing child, work, dating and church is a challenge and single moms are known for performing a majority of life’s balancing acts.