Being a single mom can be tough, but it is also one of the most rewarding and exhilarating things you will ever do. No one imagines themselves entering parenthood as a single parent. If you suddenly find yourself in such a position, it can be difficult and even seem impossible.
How are you going to take care of a baby by yourself? How are you going to manage all this beautiful baby’s needs without backup? What if your family can’t help out? The list goes on.
However, being a single parent is not impossible, as thousands of mothers will attest to. It does, of course, require a little extra planning. After all, when you’re the child’s only guardian, it is up to you to make all the decisions yourself while also trying to juggle work, a social life, and paying the bills. Here are some tried and true strategies to help you along the way:
Find a Support System
Just because you’re a single parent doesn’t mean you have to raise your child alone. The odds are that you have countless friends and family members standing by andready to help.
Friends and family members are indisputably an essential part of any single mom’s parenting plan. Whether it’s babysitting when you have a cranky newborn or picking the kids up from school when you have the flu, those close to you can be a huge help when you need them. Having friends to talk to and help you care for your child when you need them to is extremely important, according to Working Mother.
With that in mind, be sure to reach out to those around you who might be able to help. Ask them if they are available in case that you need them to help. Consider lining up a meal train or having few babysitters on call after the baby is born.
Plan Far Ahead… But Not Too Far
No one wants to make a midnight diaper run with a screaming baby. When you’re a single parent, it is imperative to plan ahead and stock up on the baby essentials. You should plan on having a couple weeks’ supply of diapers, wipes, and formula if you use them. Don’t wait until the last second to stock up and find yourself caught without diapers.
At the same time, there isn’t a need to plan too far in the future. Trying to figure out who will teach your child to catch a football when they’re still an infant is not helpful to anyone and will most likely just stress you out. Plan ahead into the next week or two, but there is no reason to consider the rest of your child’s life while they’re still laying in their crib.
Consider the Nursery Design Carefully
A lot more goes into planning a nursery than you might think. You need to consider not only what the nursery looks like but also whether youeven want to have a nursery at all! Color and theme are all vital considerations when it comes to the baby’s nursery, crib, accessories, and decorations. PopSugar has a few cute nursery ideas if you need some inspiration.
But, functionality and organization are just as important if not more so. When you’re a single parent, it is essential to have everything within arm’s reach. You don’t want to be changing the baby’s diaper only to realize that the wipes are across the room.
No matter how much you plan, there are just some things in parenthood that are utterly unforeseeable: the first time your baby smiles, the baby’s laugh in the morning sunlight, and the glint of glee as your child takes their first steps. These things cannot be planned for, but they are some of the best parts of motherhood.
By planning for the tough, nitty-gritty of everyday life, you can take a step back and enjoy these moments. Take your role of a mother seriously, but not too seriously. You’ll do just fine.
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