As a single mom who works outside the home, I stress a lot about work. Am I working too much and not spending enough time with my daughter? Am I not working enough hours or putting in enough overtime to cover expenses for this month or next? Is there a job opportunity that would pay more and have more flexible hours?
Solo moms are notorious for worrying about things. There’s a great deal of stress that goes along with being a solo mom. We are the ones who make all the decisions, bear all the burdens, and take on all the responsibilities. That’s why single mom job resources are so important to us. We are the breadwinners in the household, and we need a reliable, well-paying job to provide for our children and ourselves.
“A single mother has a backbone made of steel, and a heart made of gold.” – Unknown
I often feel like there is something out there that would better suit my needs. And I find myself wondering if I could “do better.” The truth is we need a reliable job that offers us a good wage, a stable work environment, and enough flexibility to be there for our children. And we have to work. As solo moms, we are the breadwinner of the household. If you’re like me, there is no child support and no ex to help with expenses. The entire burden of providing every need is on my shoulders. It can be daunting and feel overwhelming at times.
“A single mom tries when things are hard. She never gives up. She believes in her family, even when things are tough. She knows that above all things, a mother’s love is more than enough.” – Deniece Williams
So how do we find a job that is a good fit for our circumstances and goals?
You need to know where you are going in order to know when you get there. In other words – set goals. Take time to sit down and think about where you want to be in your career. What type of career do you want? What are the perks or benefits of your job going to be? What level of pay are you ultimately seeking? Create a “road map” with a destination that’s clearly defined. If you have an end point, you can then map out your steps to arriving at your destination.
Here are things to consider when looking at a job that meets your needs as a single mom, and get you closer to your career goals:
- Flexible hours
- Daycare options
- Health and insurance benefits offered
- Work from home options or jobs
- Online courses or degrees you can earn on your own schedule to improve your skills
- Self-employment – starting your own business
You may have to take baby steps at first toward your goals, but every step will get you closer. Knowing where you are headed is your first big step in defining your future and making it a reality.
Here are some single mom job resources to help you find the best options for employment and career growth.
7 Best Jobs For Single Moms Starting Over
A list of seven careers, many of which you can tailor your own hours.
The 11 Best Jobs For Single Moms
A list of eleven jobs (plus a bonus job) that will best fit with a single mom’s need to be flexible and set her own schedule. This list will spark ideas for creating your own career path.
5 Ways To Balance Being A Single Parent And Working Full Time
It’s difficult to balance both being a full time employee and a full time parent – this article shows you how to better handle the stress. Okay, I know it’s not specifically a list of job opportunities or great careers for solo moms, but it might help with being able to handle it all.
Best Job For Single Moms
Some of these job ideas are working outside the home, some are work from home. All of them are legit and allow you to be flexible with your schedule.
5 Job Search Tips For Single Parents (From A Single Parent)
Five things to consider when looking for a job outside the home, and how to manage the balance of work and home.
Best Jobs For Working Moms
From Monster.com, ideas for great employment opportunities and the median annual pay for these jobs. Compare them and find out the best fit for you as a solo mom.
5 Career Ideas For Single Moms
Five career ideas, plus three potential career pitfalls, to consider as a single mom looking to change careers or find a second job.
50 Best Career Ideas for Single Moms Without A College Degree
This is a pretty big list, and many of these wouldn’t qualify as full-time jobs, but this list may give you some ideas for how to create a work-from-home job, a second job, or a great side hustle. Combine several of these income streams, and you might be able to make a pretty decent living!
Hope this list of single mom job resources helped give you some ideas for creating a new job or career, and finding a job that fits your needs as a single mom. It’s never easy being a single mom; there are many great hardships and stresses, but there are a great many rewards as well. We have all the headaches and heartaches, but we also get all the rewards that go along with being a parent.
“Single Moms: You are a doctor, a teacher, a nurse, a maid, a cook, a referee, a heroine, a provider, a defender, a protector, a true superwoman. Wear your cape proudly.” – Mandy Hale
Working Moms – 5 Keys To Staying Healthy As A Single Mom
Would you like some prayer, for yourself or your family? Is there a certain situation you are facing where you’d like some “prayer support”? Let me know, and I would be happy to add you to my prayer list. I know how difficult it is to be a solo mom, and feel like you are totally on your own. But you’re not – and we can all use prayer from time to time. Prayer requests are never posted anywhere – it’s just between you and me. I simply want to lift up other moms and be a blessing to them. I would be honored to pray for you and your needs! Contact me here with any prayer requests you may have.
- Worthy or Worthless – Single Mom Struggles
- How To Build A Single Mom Resource Group
- 3 Keys To Teach Kids About Debt
- Criticall Exam Tips – How To Pass The Test
- Tithing As A Widow – Can You Afford It?
- Anxiety – Don’t Let It Control You!
- How To Save Money – Automate Your Savings!
- Cut Grocery Spending Down To Size
- How To Create A 72-Hour Bag
- Laundry Room Organization Hacks and Tips
- 7 Tips To Beat Seasonal Depression
- Heart Disease – Healthy Changes To Lower Your Risk
- Brown Sugar Pound Cake Recipe
- How God Blesses Broken Hearts – Dealing With Grief
Please share this article if you found it helpful. I’d love for other folks to be able to find it. Thanks!
Joan Merrell is a solo mom to two daughters, a widow, and a security technician at Oregon State Hospital. Oregon native, farm girl and 4H leader, maker of homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies, she balances (more or less) full-time work with caring for a home filled with a teenage daughter, 2 entitled cats, and a hyper German Shepherd. She enjoys gardening and hiking, reading Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti novels, and searches for a few spare minutes to communicate with her grown daughter and son-in-law on her Marco Polo app. Find out more about Joan here.