Choices for Single Parents- Letter From A Single Mom.

As a divorced mom of 3 for 12 years now, I have had an opportunity to experience the challenges that many other parents face. I now own my own home & business and I have learned allot. Some may think that I have done well for a single mom, but I know better. The time that my struggle to earn money took away from my children cannot be replaced. During critical years of their life, I was working and a nanny was in my place.

 

I suggested to my sister who is in the process of becoming a social worker my idea of single moms sharing a residence and partnering to develop a positive lifestyle for themselves and their children. She was shocked that her capitalist sister cared about affordable housing. It is probably the only thing that we have agreed upon in years.

The truth is, the economic well being of single parent families is not only a social issue. By investing in the development of single moms, we are ensuring the future workforce of our country. By giving a single mom a chance to acquire clean, comfortable, safe and affordable housing, we create an environment for growth and a platform for success. This works not only for mom, but also for the children. By partnering her with a compatible single parent family, we create a community atmosphere that eliminates the feeling of one against the world. It helps to share not only the financial burden of raising children, but also the household chores and child care responsibilities. It could also increase mom's ability to further her education in order to secure a higher income. That in turn allows her the opportunity to offer her children the option of post-secondary education.

 

The key here is not to fund the lifestyle of single moms, but to offer them real solutions that will help them develop their own lifestyle without forcing them to choose either income or parenthood.

 

If I had been able to share a home with another family, I would have been able to spend more time parenting my own kids as well as improving my education. It would have then been easier to increase my income and would have reduced the stress that has so significantly affected my life and the lives of my children. I would also have had the chance to offer my strengths to another mom in order to help her accomplish the same. It would have improved both of our self-esteem, confidence and self worth while allowing us to create friendships that strengthen not only ourselves, but also our children.

   

The long term benefits of such a strategy would be limitless. How much more productive our workforce would be if we weren't limited to the restraints and costs of daycare. Consider the reduced need for social services, government subsidized housing and daycare. The benefit to landlords who would have quality tenants with greater financial resources and who weren't always choosing between paying rent and buying groceries. This would also create better access to continuing education etc.

 

Overall, the plan depends on the ability to pair "compatible families", not only in size, age and location, but also in attitude, future goals, values and personality. With a national organization that had provincial associations, we could meet the above requirements. Just as you can go online to find a date, you could list your profile and what kind of roommate you would be open to meeting.

 

Associations can offer services to roommate parents that include continuing education & training, employment opportunities, housing resources, financial counseling, legal services, family counseling, parent groups, children’s activities, economical goods and services, social events in addition to assisting them in their search for a roommate.

An online buy & sell directory can be used for parents to find items from cribs to Girl Guide outfits.

 

The effort could be funded not only by government, but also by community groups, churches, corporate supporters, private individuals and participants. As we all benefit from the reduced strain on the social system and by the benefits created to business and communities, we would all benefit from funding the venture.  

 

Specific revenue would be created by membership fees for participants and advertising fees paid by employers, landlords and business offering products & services. In addition, contributions from government and community groups would replace some of the funds that they already spend on social services and subsidized housing and daycare.

 

The idea is an effective way of improving the lives of single parents as well as the community as a whole.