We all know that single moms rock. They are the real super women of the world. They strive every day to make a better life for their children, taking on several roles of mom, employee, housekeeper, cook, educator, and more. They usually don’t take much time for themselves and they don’t expect to either because the most important thing in the world to them is being a good mom.
Here are a few local single moms who were kind enough to share their stories with us.
Marissa and Anthony
“One of my biggest struggles of being a single mom is not having anyone to share the memories with or help make big decisions with. It’s scary doing stuff by yourself. Hearing other kids talk about their daddies and seeing them play with them breaks my heart knowing Anthony will never have that. The best way I can be a good mom to Anthony is to count my blessings every day and teach him to count his. I may not have a partner to go through all this with me, but I have a healthy, amazing son. A job that works around Anthony’s school schedule, a great dad. My son may not have a father to look up to, but he’s grateful for what he does have. Not a second goes by where we feel sorry for ourselves and that makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”
Cate and Gianna
“Now a days, it’s common for children to come from split homes and my daughters situation is just that. Although little Gianna has a mommy and daddy that love her very much, sometimes the struggle is real. My daughter is 4 years old, currently in preschool. Her father and I split about three years ago, for good. Things just weren’t working and it was not fair to expose Gianna to such a negative environment. Although she comes from a large family where everyone loves her immensely, it can still be tough being a “single” mom. Life can be be chaotic on its own, but trying to get through your day of work to put food on the table, to running her to or from Lewiston (which is where her father lives) then getting her home and ready for bed, I swear there are not enough hours in a day. Another struggle I face as a single mom is money. I have a fear of struggling. I would love to provide everything and anything for Gianna, and sometimes it can be hard when there is only one income. My mortgage, my bills, her clothes, lunch and breakfast money, extracurricular activities, it all adds up. You need to really plan for things months in advance, such as her birthday party or Christmas. Most families can choose any day for parties, I have to pick and choose on the limited weekends I have her (her father has her every other weekend) and I have to start saving in the beginning of each year to make sure I’m not short. I also work as much as I can, whether it’s my full time job or side hair and makeup jobs I assist with, which then cuts into the time I get to spend with Gianna. Gianna is very special to us. Three years ago, our family lost my younger brother, while he was away in the US Navy. Our worlds have been turned upside down. There is one little face that kept us going, and that’s Gigi! With her strong and independent personality she makes life that much better. Although life can be a struggle, while being a single mom trying to create a happy path, she makes my life that much more beautiful and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Charlene and Scott
“I have never felt like a single mom, just a mom. Life struggles not single mom struggles. You see, I was never married so to have had a chance to raise a wonderful boy was a true blessing. Although it may not have been easy at times, it was a great life. I made sure my son never knew the struggles. When we were low on money for groceries I would make a game of it, like let’s find all the buy one get one frees. When he was old enough, about 9, I gave him a blank check and a list and he would shop with my mother every Saturday while I worked. Yes, I was one of the lucky ones that had plenty of friends and family to lean on. We all helped each other. One of our proudest accomplishments was private school. I was a young mom only making about 30,000 a year but I had a house, a car, and a promise to my son that I would send him to St. Joseph Collegiate Institute. This was most important to us because I wanted him to have that man in his life and this way he would have plenty. The tuition was $7,500 a year but I was determined. It was the greatest school for him. Not only did it teach him respect and knowledge, they always stressed the importance of “mother”. Each year I made the payments, I would stop taking taxes out of my paycheck from October till January to afford a nice Christmas and catch up on bills. I was always two to four weeks behind. My son got a half scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America in Poughkeepsie. In the last semester of high school I was short $3,500. My mother came through and helped me out so he could finish. After he graduated he went away to college and became an amazing chef. Coincidentally the same thing happened his last semester of college but I was able to get a state loan to finish up. This is a little of our tale. Started as just him and I and is now it’s he, his wife and three kids. We have a beautiful life!”
If you’re a single mom who would like to share your story with us, please email sweetbuffalo716@aol.com.
