Parenting Through Tough Economic Times

For many single parents, parenting alone is hard enough, let alone on one income. Even divorced parents who get a monthly payment from an ex-spouse say their standard of living is not the same as when they were married. According to Money Central at MSN.com, single women, who are the majority of single-parent households, earn an average of $26,500 a year. Child support averages about $5,800 a year. You do the math. And on top of it, they have to live with the knowledge that they're the only thing standing between them and their children and the edge of the cliff--there is no other partner there standing in the gap during these tough economic times. 

According to Kiplinger's Personal Finance, there are things single parents can do to give themselves a little bit more security. First, make a budget and stick to it and put aside any few extra dollars each month into an emergency "just-in-case" fund. Also, consider getting a roommate if you have enough room (obviously someone who would get along with the kids), or consider downsizing to a smaller home. Contribute money to a flexible spending account, which reimburses you for some out-of-pocket medical expenses. Also, make sure that the IRS is working for you--there are plenty of tax breaks for parents that can help make ends meet. If childcare is an issue, try to form a group of parents where you can trade off babysitting at no cost. I have a group of parents that I met through my daughter's school and we often rely on each other for last minute babysitting emergencies.

The biggest thing is to realize you are not alone. There are parenting support groups out there that can help you make a budget, give dating advice, and overall parenting advice. Some include:

• Parents Without Partners (www.parentswithoutpartners.org); 
• Single Parents Network (www.singleparentsnetwork.com);  
• Single Family Voices (www.singlefamilyvoices.com); 
• and The Parenting Place (www.theparentingplace.com).

The forums on some of these sites are especially helpful since you can talk to other single parents (both men and women) who are going through the same thing you are. 

So, hang in there and know you're not alone. We can get through this together!

KJ