what does it mean to be a single mother?

Question

Can some one explain to me what it means? What are the thoughts and feelings that single mothers have? My girlfriend is a single mother one one child and Although we have been together for 2 years, I feel that I don't know what to do at times to help out, be supportive, or sacrifice of myself more and she gets frustrated when this happens.

Answer 1

While most women do not choose to be single mothers, sometimes it does happen.

The meaning of a single mother is one who raises her children without a husband. The father of the child can be in the picture, but if they are not married she is still considered to be a single mom.

Being a single mom is tough at times, but also very rewarding. The mom has to play both roles of the parents, and assumes the responsibilities of both. As the protector, provider, nurturer, and whatever else you can use to describe parents.

As a single mom, she may at times feel frustrated because of lack of help from the childs father. She may at times feel very greatful that you are there to help her. The moods very greatly.

What you can do to help her is just be there to support her. This can include, but is not limited to, emotional, physical, spiritual, financial or whatever. Acknowledge her feelings, wants, needs and desires and encourage her to be the best person for not only her child but for herself. I say this only because as a mom, we tend to put our children on the very front burner and often neglect ourselves. Not on purpose usually, just that sometimes we dont even think about it. If you are close to the child, and have no problem assisting the raising of it- then offer your help). you never know how good it feels to have your significant other grab the kids from daycare so you can run and get your nails done once in a blue moon. Send her cards that reaffirm how you feel about her.

If you are thinking about marrying her, let her know. It took me forever to find the man I am about to marry and it took him a very long time before I was fully able to share myself 100%. A single mom has often been burnt by relationships before and really hesitates at times to let herself be open because she doesnt want to be in that same spot again.

Sorry about babbling!

Answer 2

Well a single mother is a woman who is not married or does not have a significant other in her life while raising a child or children on her own. So I wouldn't really classify her as a single mother. Maybe she is hinting to you that she wants to get married. Do you both work? Do you live together? How old is the child? More details would help. Just do the best you can. If this isn't good enough for her, then maybe this gal isn't the right one for you. Does she expect you to take over and be the child's father? These are some tough issues. You can't make yourself be what she wants you to be if you don't feel it.

Answer 3

wow. I think that takes a strong man to ask what she needs.
When you are in a relationship with a single mom-you have the child to think about as well-it's a package deal. Not that you have to raise the child or even be responsible for it but that child her #1 priority and if she expects that she is wrong. I don't know how the child is-but maybe you can just take them out for the day so she can have some free time. Do you all do things together-maybe a movie.dinner on the weekends? How about you cook dinner or bring it over sometimes or offer to clean her house or do her laundry.
Ask her what she needs-maybe sometimes she needs alone time for just her and her child.

Answer 4

Sounds like an independent streak, one she was either born with or one she had to discover out of necessity. She can't depend on others for her and her child. To her, your support means you think she needs it. She won't put up with that. If you want to help her, you're going to have to find a way to explain you're doing it to help yourself.

An example would be to buy some groceries and cook dinner. Explain that you really wanted this meal, you were hungry, and you wanted company. If you wanted to help her around the house, explain the faster the chores get done, the more time you two can play. Just remember, your support must look a little selfish to be accepted as anything but charity.

Answer 5

well, being a single is hell. However that doesn't mean you love your child less. Also, its difficult to develope good parenting skills with no one to run ideas past. Heres the thing, if you are just a boyfriend, have no intention of sticking around for the long haue, get the heck outta that kids life now. Not hers , but I gotta tell you from being on both sides of the deal, the LAST thing kids need are men coming in and out of their little lives all the time. They can't help but feel it has a little somthing to do with them, plus, this Mom sghould become dependent on your help only to have you pull the rug out from under her? When adults have relationships it's all on them, make your own beds and lay in them. When a child is involved , well thats another story isn't it. Think , and try not to be selfish.

Answer 6

Single moms come in many forms. The women that WANT to be single parents, the women that got dropped the second their child's father found out they were pregnant, and single moms like your girlfriend... who have someone there, but feel that all of the responsibility is on them. I was a "single mom" for almost 3 years... I was with my daughter's father, but we weren't married, and he lacked the responsibility factor. Single moms can get frustrated because it is HARD work raising a child, especially on your own.

I would suggest to you, to maybe offer to help with the child related chores (like dinner time or picking up toys or whatever), and maybe once a week take the child for a few hours so that mommy can have some personal time. Even 2 hours does wonders to recharge a burnt out mommy. You don't HAVE to take care of the child 24/7, but those little things do wonders. I don't expect my husband to take care of my child 100%, but he does the little things (like now he took her to the mall so I could clean, but Im sitting online enjoying the quiet lol) that really help me feel like we're a team.

And GOOD FOR YOU for wanting to help your girlfriend with her child... that speaks a lot about your character!!!

Answer 7

Being a single mother is...being the one who gets up at night with a sick child because there is no one else around to do it. Being a single mother is working long hours and racing to the daycare after work to avoid paying outrageous "late pick up fees" because there is no one else to pick them up. Being a single mother is standing in line at the food stamp office because you work full time and still don't make enough money to pay all of the bills, pay rent, pay car insurance, pay for gas, clothes, daycare, and still be able to buy food, only to find out you make $5 a month too much to qualify. Being a single mom is being dead tired by 9pm because you worked until 6, rushed to daycare to pick up kids, rushed home, threw together some semblance of a meal, cleaned up, got the kids cleaned up, helped with homework, and got them in bed, all after having been up since 5am that morning as you do everyday. Being a single mom is watching your kids grow up and know that you have instilled in them a respect for other ppl, a sense of responsibility, and a value for family. Being a single mom is knowing that one day, your daughter is going to grow up one day and is going to tell the whole world what an awesome woman you are because you did it all on your own with no help from anyone else. I have the utmost respect for my mother because of the fact that she was such an awesome SINGLE MOTHER...

Answer 8

some single mothers do no longer contain toddler daddy bags...there are a number of adult adult males who do no longer or wont declare their toddler(ren) or are not into the drama themselves, so exempting those mothers out of your dating checklist is somewhat bias. I comprehend no longer desirous to handle the "drama" yet there are some single mothers that are completely drama and or toddler daddy loose. i might advise which you be open minded in this occasion. additionally undergo in strategies that some women human beings the two chosen to be single mothers (sperm donors etc) or the father could be deceased. there are a number of the clarification why a mom is single and disqualifying her according to what you think of could advise which you omit out on a brilliant woman.

Answer 9

as for geting tax benefits???!?!!!??!!!!

Basically, everywoman thathas a child when you meet them, you take them on as a whole, sometimesnit is easy for you to forget that you have resposibilities sometimes and you will focus all your attention on your lady however this will make the child for left out.
Try spending more time with the kid on your own, without your partner having to suggest it, this will impress your partner AND help you gain a bond withe child. Your partner needs to know she can trust you with something that is very important to her. Once you have done all this then get married - only for the right reasons though and if the child id happy

GOOD LUCK - XXXXX

Answer 10

Knowing that you are raising your children on your own without the backup of a strong male figure.