Sometimes I collapse into bed after a long day and think about what the hell I would do without my husband helping me out so much.

Seriously, I don’t know HOW single moms do it.

But they do, every freaking day, without a spouse or significant other in the picture to count on to sleep in once a week or take the garbage out.

And it generally makes me feel like the biggest baby in the world.

 

Single Moms: You. Are. KILLING IT.

 

 

About 23% of the children in the US live with a single mom — that’s an increase of 15% over the last 60 years.

Of those moms, only 45% of them are receiving the full child support owed.

Forty. Five. PERCENT.

It’s insane, but the statistics show us that of single mothers, the vast majority of them aren’t just doing it all on their own, they’re doing it with zero financial support. On top of carrying the weight of parenthood and all of its expenses on their own, single moms also have to provide that income with very little help with childcare.

Of single moms in the US, only 22% of the fathers of their children see their children more than once per week.

What does that mean?

It means that single moms are carrying almost all of the financial responsibility for their children, and having to do it with almost no help raising them.

 

The Disruption of the Traditional Family Model

 

Single moms face challenges that are unique and all their own, but is it all bad? Not necessarily.

In fact, though many children with only their mothers in the US, census data is also finding that more and more, some couples just aren’t getting married.

According to Census Bureau data, 38% of households with children under 18 in them are raised by unmarried parents.

So what’s the deal — is marriage going out of style?

Yes and no.

About 45% of GenXers and Millennials say that marriage is becoming obsolete. In many cases, the choice to be a single parent is a technical one, but not necessarily one that means parents are going it alone.

 

Supporting Single Moms This Mother’s Day and every day!

 

 

Single moms make up 23% of American moms. Twenty-three percent of American moms have had to, by and large, make it on their own.

Go through sleep regressions on their own. Call into work to stay home with a sick kid. Come up with the funds to pay for childcare, health care, groceries, a mortgage, karate classes, Christmases, and car repairs ON THEIR OWN.

But single moms shouldn’t HAVE to do it on their own.

The most blessed of single moms have leaned into their village. They’ve found support and stability in their friends, family, and even biological fathers who have embraced supporting them and being a part of their children’s lives.

So if you know a single mother, check in on her. Offer her support and encouragement. Ask her if you can come over and do her laundry and watch her baby while she takes a bubble bath.

“The biggest struggle is understanding [that] I don’t have to do everything alone. Having a big support system is a blessing and only works if I allow them to help. I appreciate all of my friends, family, and son’s family’s help. We are truly blessed.” – Misha, single mom

Let’s make sure that some of the strongest, most incredible moms we know have all of the support they need to be everything for their kids.

And let’s do it more than just on Mother’s Day ❤️

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Single moms, sound off in the comments — what did you do for Mother’s Day this year?