meeting my bills ontime...and pleasing my son?as a single parent?

Question

how can i meet with my bills ontime..and at the ssame time..take my son out for a treat..on our time outs..its all too hard as asingle mum.

Thanks to all of you ..you've all been helpful..i cant choose whose the best..you all are..again ..thanks

Answer 1

you probably can't afford to.
make the treat time together in a park or someplace totally free. go for a walk together. try to get the bills a little lower.

Answer 2

sit down and make a budget. Any where in there if you see you can cut out a few dollars here or there do it once in a while. You don't have to do it all the time. A treat is a treat because it is not all the time. If you do it everytime you go out odds are you will not be able to meet your budget and he will begin to expect it and get upset at you when you don't have the funds to do this sort of thing. Also treats don't necessarily have to cost a lot of money or any at all for that matter.
Take him out for a picnic in the park, go to the zoo, go looking at Christmas lights. Let him help you decorate the tree and house for christmas. He would really enjoy this, because this will be his creation and work.
I hope you can find some good tips in here. But most importantly enjoy your son. Take the time to be with him and have fun together. This is what really matters in life.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

There are free things you can do with your son - things that he'll likely enjoy. You don't mention how old he is but if he's younger, kids love to do crafts with Mum! If he's older, you two could take one of his friends hiking/biking/cycling.

Growing up, my family had little money. My mom was really inventive when it came to finding things to do. I know where I used to live (when I was between 5 and 15) the museum was free on Sundays and the zoo was free as well... The art gallery was super cheap and we'd often go there. She would take me and my sister for bike rides, tobogganing, cross-country skiing. I know in my neighbourhood now, which is generally a low income area - there are free play groups (if your son is less than 5). Also, check your city's website for ideas of what you and your son can do.
A treat to your son doesn't necessarily mean having to BUY something - often spending time with Mom is enough! The biggest treat when I was little was going with my Mom grocery shopping (without my brother or sister) and after we were done shopping, we'd share a plate of fries and gravy and watch people. That was our biweekly tradition until I was about 15!! Haha - seems silly now but those are the things I remember and I always looked forward to them!

Answer 4

I totally understand your situation. I am a single parent, and for years was living on a low income. When my son was young we would do lots together that was inexpensive or free. Going to the park is free. You may have to do some leg work, but there may be organizations in your community that offer free play nights or movie nights. Check for places that offer free play group days. Also, getting together with other parents that are in your situation and pooling resources can provide an excellent evening of fun.

Answer 5

It is more important (as a single mother especially) to teach your son responsibility. My son is 7 and fully understands that until the bills are paid there are no video rentals, no candy from the corner store, etc. We do regularly get videos from the library so that takes the edge off of rentals. Toys were a little harder to get through to him but he usually doesn't even ask anymore. Actually I cant remember the last time he asked for a toy/video without saying " for my birthday can I have......"

Answer 6

Hello Single Mom,

Having to be both mom and dad can be overwhelming, yet your relationship with your son can also be your greatest strength. Consider sharing your budget with him if he is old enough. Being able to ask for a new toy indicates a child's ability to begin to learn the basics of wealth management. It may be humbling at first but because he loves you more than your ability to provide for him materially, his response just may surprise you. This way he'll be able to participate in your financial decision making journey. So few parents give their children this gift. He'll learn how money works and how to budget well from watching your example. Our children can be surprisingly practical when we reduce our anxiety and parent them without the fear.

Jack Canfield the co-author of the Chicken Soup series says, "First they gotta learn it. Then they gotta earn it. Then they gotta return it."

So you go Mom! :)

Answer 7

Treats don't have to cost lots of money. Take him to a local park, or to see the Christmas lights if your local town is decorated with them. Look out for activity days - where we live, the museums often run them (Egyptian day, dinosaur day etc.) and my son got to go be a chorister for a day and sing in the cathedral. All for free.

Answer 8

The local papers usually have information on inexpensive or free concerts, shows, etc. Museums are usually free and are a great way for mom and son to enjoy the exhibits and talk about them -- their snack bars are sometimes decently priced too.

Answer 9

your only option is to find a way to make more money. maybe start selling on ebay it is a good side job without any start up cost just go yard sailing and resell what you buy. I am sorry you are in such a tough position.

Answer 10

go for the best deals on bills. cut uneccessary bills. take your son to free places(park, beach, etc) and if he wants those expensive things, tell him nicely that you don't have enough money to buy him what his heart desires.