Being A Single Mom Of Multiple Kids
While parenting is undoubtedly a rewarding experience it can also bring challenging times, especially for single mothers. Kids demand a lot of time, money, and attention. Such demands can add stress for two-parent families but for single-parent families raising children brings extra struggles. Being a single mom of multiple kids is demanding.
Tips To Be A Single Mom Of Multiple Kids
As a single mom of 2 or more kids, you have to wear multiple hats and learn to do everything single-handedly. For example, you have to be the chef, the caretaker, the breadwinner, and the entertainer for your family. This requires an overwhelming amount of time, responsibility, and effort as you have to perform the dual role of a mother and a father. Even though single motherhood is not an easy feat if you have multiple kids to take care of, with the right parenting strategies and tips it is possible to fulfill all your obligations. Following are the ways that will make your journey as a single mom of twins or multiples easier and simpler.
1. Get Organized
A tip to succeed as a single mom with multiples is to invest your time and effort in being organized which will make your life easier. You need to have a schedule that can work for you as well as your children to eliminate stress and pressure. Following a consistent structure may not be easy however it is easier to follow for your children from the beginning. This way they will learn what to expect and you will also have less stress in figuring out what you should do every day. In case of an obstacle that hinders your schedule such as if you get sick or you have a medical appointment then you can seek out support from your friends and family members. Seeking support may be hard for single moms however help is available and there are understanding people who address the challenges of single mothers and are ready to help them in household chores or in taking care of children.
2. Build Mutual Respect And Trust
Respect and trust are two aspects of a positive parent-and-child relationship. Developing and building trust will make your children feel secure and safe. When kids learn that they can trust you they tend to be more open about sharing their thoughts. This sense of security and safety helps in building confidence and in exploring the world. Showing mutual respect and respect for your child’s opinions and feelings will encourage you to keep sharing your thoughts and problems with them.
3. Seek Professional Help
It might be difficult to achieve however setting time aside strictly for yourself is necessary to avoid feeling fatigue or burnout. Whether seeking financial, psychological, or general health you can navigate single motherhood challenges easily. There are many resources for single moms that they can reach out to receive help. For instance, if you’re a single mom and unable to pay for your expenses, you can cover them by applying for government assistance programs and resources. Professional help on the other hand will help to reduce your mental health problems.
4. Be Mindful About Your Household Expenses
Fulfilling financial obligations can be difficult for single moms of 3 or more children as they are the sole bread earner of the family and have double the amount of kids to take care of. Finding a good job that is accommodating to a single parent’s schedule is challenging, however, there are many ways in which you can save money and cut unnecessary expenses. It is essential to remember that when you have multiples to look after you need not purchase two of everything. Purchasing baby items, especially playpens and bouncers can be expensive. Also, kids grow up quite fast and it will not be worth your money or time to buy expensive stuff every time. Your twins can share most things and this way you can save your expenses. There are many online communities and groups which are dedicated to single mothers of multiples that help them to learn parenting techniques and financial budgets. You can have a quick internet search about sales and coupons through which you can save hundreds of dollars every year. Don’t always fall for sales as they might be deceiving sometimes. Observe prizes and purchase things that are worthwhile deals for you.
5. Focus On Your Well-Being
Single moms need to pay attention to their physical and mental needs. You need to remind yourself that perfect parenting is just a myth. As a single mom of 4 or more children you have tremendous work and half the help but remember that you may not always give the best to your kids if you’re not well. Don’t hesitate to seek help and try to keep some time for yourself. Keeping realistic goals and paying attention to yourself will improve your well-being. Do not feel bad if your children are misbehaving a bit or if your house is not spotless. Parenting comes with unique struggles, ups and downs and nobody has a perfect drama-free life therefore do not be fooled by social media.
Can You Become A Single Mom Of Multiple Kids By Choice?
Yes, anyone can become a single parent of multiple kids by choice. The ideals of single parents by choice in the United States are growing with each passing day. Single men and women are desiring to grow their own families without a partner. Thanks to the advancement in assisted reproductive technology a lot of single men and women are becoming single parents on their own. Women who want to become single mothers by choice should consider going for treatment options like intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization with the help of donors’ sperm. It is not an easy decision to become a single mother by choice moreover if you are willing to become a single mom of multiple. However, this is an empowering fertility option that will help you to grow your own family.
Challenges Of Being A Single Mom Of Multiple Kids By Choice
The journey of single motherhood by choice especially if single mothers are raising multiple kids is full of challenging and rewarding experiences. Some of the challenges that you might face as a single of multiple kids by choice or as follows.
1. Unwarranted Reactions
The idea of single parenting by choice is a challenging concept for people to understand and accept as it works differently from nuclear family ideals. Despite advancements in reproductive endocrinology, people criticize those who become single parents by choice. This is a myth to assume that only two healthy adults can raise a happy family. Single moms by choice who wish to adopt multiple children or be pregnant with multiple children should be prepared to receive unwarranted reactions from society and even from their circles. Try to take their unwarranted reaction with a grain of salt.
2. Financial Challenges
Before becoming a single mother of multiple kids by choice you need to prepare yourself financially. Uncertainty and confusion related to your income or household finances may affect your fertility journey. You need to pay the cost of fertility treatments, insurance, and the financial process at your preferred fertility clinic. The treatment costs include gestational surrogacy, fertility drugs, and many other costs. Before building a family of your dreams and moving forward in life single moms should pay attention to their budget.
3. Lack Of Support System
Single parenting can be successful if individuals have a strong support system in the form of family members, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues. Single moms of multiple kids by choice do not have a partner or spouse to support child care and provide them with emotional support. Cultivating a strong support system in your community as a single mom of multiple kids by choice may be a big challenge for you. If you’re unable to get support from your friends and family for your choice you can reach out to online support groups and communities where you get a chance to meet other single parents by choice and expand your social circle.
4. Difficult Fertility Journey
Building a family is not a straight path for all single moms. There are a wide array of fertility options that are available and you can choose a path on your journey to single motherhood. You need to find a doctor who can work on your best experience, interest, and success rate however there may be challenges in your fertility journey depending on your medical condition. Single motherhood by choice is an empowering option to build a family especially if you’re willing to be a single mom of multiple kids. You need to select the sperm source and then decide the fertility treatment which will be right for you based on your age, health condition, and other factors. The primary treatment options include IVF and IUI.
How Can Single Mothers Of Multiple Kids By Choice Balance Parenthood?
Single parenthood by choice is a commitment that comes with unique sets of challenges and rewarding experiences. The trick to being a good single mom of multiple kids is to step up and move forward. It is normal to feel burnout, stress, and anxiety if things do not work out according to your plan. You just need to breathe on bad days and ensure to spend special time with your kids. Being home doesn’t mean you are spending quality time with your little ones. Finding Single-parent-friendly job opportunities will help you to balance your work and family time at the same time. It can be stressful to work and be a single mom of multiple kids at the same time. For this, you need to set healthy boundaries between your work life and personal life. Your kids are excited to see you and spend time with you and if you let the stress of your work take over your world then you can set bad examples for your children. Also, do not forget to find time in your tight schedule and try to do things that interest you and inspire you every week be it painting, writing, journaling, gardening, and so on.
Conclusion
When single mothers have multiple kids to raise and take care of they have to be in different places at once which means their life is a bit challenging. Learn and recognize things that you cannot control and let go of the ones that are not in your hands. Parenting and motherhood are difficult and it is no doubt that there are days which will be filled with sunshine and joy while some days you may feel like a dark cloud hanging over the house. Single mothers of multiple kids also suffer from a lot of mental health problems during hardship. You need to be easy on yourself. The only way to get rid of encompassing stress and depression is to take a long breath and do things that bring you joy and fun.