How to Be a Single Mom: 8 Strategies for Raising Kids on Your Own

Recent research found that more than 15 million homes in the United States have a female head of household with no partner. Being a single mom is a shared challenge for many, and it can test your patience, strength, and resourcefulness to the limit. Single mothers juggle multiple roles—from managing finances and household responsibilities to supporting their children’s emotional needs and maintaining their own mental health—all often simultaneously.

Learning how to be a single mom isn’t always easy, but with the right support and guidance, single motherhood can be successfully accomplished in a nurturing and stable environment where your children thrive. 

Read on as we explore eight powerful strategies and single parenting tips that moms can use to navigate the challenges of solo parenting. With our guidance, you can learn how to be a single parent with confidence.

1. Master Time Management Skills

Any parent knows that successful time management feels impossible some days. However, it’s a crucial skill, especially for single moms trying to get everything done all on their own. Balancing work, childcare, household chores and demands, and getting some personal time in, too, can be overwhelming for a single-parent family. 

When you have a firm grasp on time management skills and start to implement organizational habits, it can make all the difference. Make a habit of prioritizing tasks and creating a flexible, structured schedule. The more organized and on time you are, the less stress you’ll experience.

“Establishing routines for children offers many psychological benefits and provides a sense of security and stability, especially in single-parent households. A structured environment helps foster a sense of safety which is crucial for emotional and behavioral regulation. In single-parent homes, routines are particularly valuable as they offer stability amid potential changes, reinforcing reliability and helping children develop a sense of independence.”

– Talkspace therapist Bisma Anwar, LPC, LMHC

How to do it: To overcome the time management struggles that come with single parenthood, start by listing your daily tasks. Then, list things that need to be done weekly. Categorize each in order of priority and use whatever type of planner makes sense — a paper book you physically write in, a digital app, or a calendar. List specific times for every activity that must be done. 

Remember to schedule time for self-care and relaxation. Flexibility will be the key to your success in single motherhood. Make sure you leave a cushion around high-priority or high-pressure events so that if things don’t go exactly as planned, you’re not automatically stressed for the rest of the day.

2. Establish a Solid Financial Foundation

Financial security is crucial for single moms, providing stability and a solid foundation that brings peace of mind in a single-parenthood setup. Relying on a single income requires wise budgeting and diligent saving to address immediate needs and achieve long-term goals. A structured financial plan helps manage expenses and avoid debt, ensuring you and your children feel secure and prepared for both today and the future.

How to do it: Begin by tracking your income and expenses over a month or 2 to create a realistic budget. Prioritize your nonnegotiables — like housing, food, and healthcare — then set aside whatever you’re comfortable with for savings after those needs are met. It might be helpful to consult a financial advisor for personalized advice tailored to your situation or explore resources or assistance programs designed to help single-parent households.

3. Cultivate a Supportive Network

Having a robust and reliable support system is essential for single moms. Your circle of friends, family, and community will offer you and your kid emotional support and practical help. They’ll give you a sense of belonging, and having those connections with people who understand what you’re going through can help reduce feelings of isolation. Your support system can make a significant difference in how you juggle being a single mother. 

“For single parents, having a supportive network provides many essential mental health benefits. Social support helps decrease stress by providing emotional and psychological comfort and a sense of belonging. This helps single parents feel less isolated and helps promote resilience. By connecting with others who understand their issues and challenges, single parents can cope better with difficulties and enhance their well-being.”

– Talkspace therapist Bisma Anwar, LPC, LMHC

How to do it: Don’t say no to family members or friends who offer you help or companionship. These people will become your tribe — leaning on them is a sign of strength, not weakness. Admitting you need help will keep you afloat and show your children that they have a community surrounding them, too. You can consider joining local parenting groups or online forums if friends or family are far away. Most communities have organizations or groups explicitly designed to connect single parents and their kids.

4. Simplify Your Home and Daily Routines

Your daily routines at home should be simple and easy to execute. Being a single mom requires a routine that reduces stress and creates a peaceful environment for you and your children. Start by minimizing clutter and streamlining the things that must be done daily. This can save you time, increase your efficiency, and give you additional space to focus on quality time with your children instead of stressing over all the things that haven’t been done yet.  

How to do it: To simplify your home and routines, start by decluttering every room. Don’t try to tackle this project all at once. Take several weeks and go room by room whenever you have a couple of free hours. If you struggle with letting go of things, ask yourself: Does this item bring me joy? and Do I need it? If the answer to either question is no, toss it. 

After decluttering, create simple but consistent routines for everything from meal prep to tidying the house to bedtime. Using chore charts and checklists keeps everyone on track, and suddenly, household responsibilities will become much more manageable.

5. Develop Effective Discipline Strategies

Disciplining children can be challenging, even with both parents in the home. At least then, you can support each other, but you don’t have that when you’re the sole caretaker. 

Developing effective discipline strategies for single moms is crucial to fostering a harmonious home environment. Clear and consistent rules—and their consequences—are central to authoritative parenting, an approach that helps children grasp what is expected of them. They also teach them boundaries and promote positive behavior and respect. Single moms who figure out how to approach discipline with empathy ensure their children feel understood, heard, and secure.

How to do it: Clear, age-appropriate rules should be consistently enforced, with fair consequences that are well-understood and reliably applied. Positive reinforcement is key to promoting good behavior. For persistent, escalating, or violent behavioral issues, consider consulting an educational or child psychologist. Their objective insights and tailored strategies can significantly support your specific parenting challenges.

6. Ensure Quality Time with Your Children

Carving out time with your children is essential for establishing positive relationships. Spending quality time together helps you support a child’s emotional well-being and helps them feel secure, safe, and loved. 

You don’t always have to do a big production or plan an extravagant experience. Meaningful activities — reading together, doing arts and crafts, going for a nature walk, and even watching a movie — create a connection between you and your children. Spending one-on-one time together helps you understand their needs. It allows you to celebrate their achievements — both big and small.

How to do it: If your calendar is full and your days and weeks are spent with back-to-back activities, games, appointments, and obligations, pencil in family activity time that everyone will look forward to. Game nights, outdoor adventures, and even just thirty to sixty minutes where you talk and share stories, are all beneficial. Dedicated family time strengthens bonds and makes you more likely to notice behavioral or emotional changes sooner.

7. Take Care of Your Own Well-Being

The age-old advice to “put on your oxygen mask first” holds true, especially for single moms. Self-care is essential; neglecting your own needs can impact your physical and mental health. Prioritizing well-being is key to being a better parent.

Think of self-care not as a luxury but as a necessity. Self-care helps you manage stress and stay energized, and, believe it or not, it sets a positive example for your children. Kids who see their parents care for themselves internalize the importance of doing so in their own lives. Setting boundaries, saying no when you need to, and splurging on a spa day (even if it’s DIY at home with the kids) are all great ways to show your children that you are important, too.

How to do it: Integrate self-care routines into your daily schedule to foster well-being. Engage in regular exercise, indulge in hobbies you love, and prioritize relaxation. Demonstrating a commitment to a balanced diet and healthy sleep schedule can also teach your children the importance of maintaining a daily routine and well-rounded lifestyle.

If you’re feeling exhausted or overwhelmed to the point that it’s interfering with your ability to care for yourself or your children, it’s time to seek help. Make sure you get the support you need to be as healthy as possible, either through therapy or friends and family.

8. Stay Informed and Empowered

Staying informed is empowering and critical for single moms navigating the complexities of parenting alone. Educating yourself and continuously learning about child development and successful parenting styles will help you feel confident and competent. It also enables you to make decisions that are best for your family.  

How to do it: To expand your knowledge, explore books, sign up for online courses, and engage in hands-on parenting workshops. Tap into local resources and support groups for seminars that offer additional guidance. If you’re grappling with specific challenges or uncertainties within your family dynamics, seeking expert advice can provide you with customized insights and strategies.

Your Path to Thriving as a Single Mom

Being a single mom isn’t always easy. You have to figure out how to be everything to everyone in your household. You’re juggling how to be an effective parent, stay sound in your finances, and remain dedicated to your well-being. Mastering time management, having a solid financial foundation, and cultivating a supportive network are our best single parenting tips that will help you be successful. 

Single moms are strong and capable. Embrace these qualities as you commit to continuing to grow and showing your children what a fulfilling, successful parenting journey looks like.

Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Talkspace can be a valuable resource to help you get professional support so you can thrive as a mom. Talkspace makes therapy convenient and easy, not to mention affordable. Reach out to Talkspace to get emotional support from an online therapist.