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	<title>Single Mother Blog</title>
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	<link>http://www.singlemom.net/blog</link>
	<description>Your Source for Single Mother Parenting Advice, Financial Advice, and Dating Advice!</description>
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		<title>Do It Yourself: Make Ends Meet on Your Own Terms</title>
		<link>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/do-it-yourself-make-ends-meet-on-your-own-terms/</link>
		<comments>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/do-it-yourself-make-ends-meet-on-your-own-terms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:03:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.singlemom.net/blog/?p=18</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s often not easy for a single mother to make ends meet. The first reaction that a single mother has is to look at seeing what sort of help is available to solve the financial problem. But help doesn&#8217;t always need to come from an outside source. There is something to be said about that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>It&#8217;s often not easy for a single mother to make ends meet. The first reaction that a single mother has is to look at seeing what sort of help is available to solve the financial problem. But help doesn&#8217;t always need to come from an outside source. There is something to be said about that help coming from within. Yes, as a single mother I realize just how difficult it can be to pay the rent, cloth and feed your child, and just generally survive. But a single mom doesn&#8217;t need to be a victim &#8212; they can achieve many great things.</p>
<p>If you are able to pick yourself up as a single mom and figure out a solution on your own terms, it&#8217;s incredibly empowering as a woman. Think of all the people who have told you there&#8217;s no helping yourself. How many other single moms do you know that solve their solution by just finding a man to take care of them or waiting for a government check to pay the bills. Why I&#8217;m not saying these are not options, there is a better option: help yourself.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s easy to talk about helping yourself when you are a single mother, but it doesn&#8217;t have to just be a sort of pie-in-the-sky dream. You can make a real difference in your life. The first place to start is to think about a rough plan. If you need money then you are going to need to either find a job, find a better job, or make your own business. I firmly believe every woman is able to make her own destiney in life. I&#8217;ve heard a lot of doubters in my life about what&#8217;s possible and what&#8217;s not possible. But the bottom line is that every woman is able to make something happen if they really really want to.</p>
<p>Here are some possible solutions:</p>
<ul>
<li>Work at home jobs (yes, despite all the scams out there, there are some real legitimate jobs out there that allow you to work at home)</li>
<li>College Education</li>
<li>Professional Jobs</li>
</ul>
<p>I support myself and my children by working at home. As a single mom, I was tired of scraping for money each month. The solution I found was to look at ways to create a better job situation for myself. I went back to school and got training in website design. It was a lot of work balancing school and job, but in the end I came out of my program a better and more accomplished person. I know work from the comfort of my living room designing websites. So it is possible.</p>
<p>I know plenty of single mothers who have gone back to school to get a college education. It&#8217;s not easy, but the mothers who have done so have all managed to get white collar jobs and have worked themselves out of poverty. Even better, they didn&#8217;t need the assistance of any man to help them!</p>
<p>So dare to dream and don&#8217;t sit around waiting for someone to save you. Every woman wants a knight in shining armor to save them, but if you look down deep enough, you might find that you can be your own knight.</p>
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		<title>Types of Single Mother Financial Help – Government Help Is Out There</title>
		<link>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/types-of-single-mother-financial-help-%e2%80%93-government-help-is-out-there/</link>
		<comments>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/types-of-single-mother-financial-help-%e2%80%93-government-help-is-out-there/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:13:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[government help for moms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help for single mothers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mom help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mother help]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.singlemom.net/blog/?p=15</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The job of a single parent is not an easy one. One person must assume the roles of both mother and father. The family must survive on one income, which can affect the quality of housing, food, and even the children’s education. The overwhelming majority of single parent families are headed by the mother, which [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>The job of a single parent is not an easy one. One person must assume the roles of both mother and father. The family must survive on one income, which can affect the quality of housing, food, and even the children’s education. The overwhelming majority of single parent families are headed by the mother, which quite often leaves her in low-level employment and inadequate housing, and facing numerous barriers to break out of the situation. However, there is help available. In this article, we will discuss the different types of single mother financial help.</p>
<p>Some single mothers are forced out of full time employment due to childcare issues. The children are too young to attend school and the costs of day care negate going to work. With no income, life can be quite difficult, forcing many to live off public assistance. Under the WIC program, single mothers are eligible to have the basic food costs of the family covered. Such fundamental items as milk, beans, peanut butter, cheese, cereal, and eggs are covered. The aid is given in the form of vouchers that can be used at the local supermarket.</p>
<p>Another form of single mother financial help comes from the Department of Children and Families. Called TANIF, it provides temporary assistance to families in need. The families that qualify are given monetary support to cover the needs that are deemed most urgent. This can include housing, food or transport. The TANIF program is available to two-parent families as well as single mothers.</p>
<p>Housing vouchers are another form of single mother financial help. Again, under the authority of the Department of Children and Families, this program will help find adequate housing for a single mother and her family. They will often locate an apartment or residence at a fraction of the normal cost.</p>
<p>One of the oldest forms of single mother financial help is food stamps. Depending on the situation, the mother or head of the family is awarded a certain dollar amount in food stamps. In the past, they came in the form of paper stamps, but they are now similar to a credit or debit card.</p>
<p>Finally, one of the most essential costs for a single mother is health care. If she or one of her children becomes ill, there are programs that make it possible for the family to receive medical attention. Medicaid and several other healthy kids programs allow children from qualified families to have their medical needs addressed for free. The programs are based on need and vary from state to state. In some areas, the services are completely without cost, while others require a small co-payment.</p>
<p>The role of a single parent is demanding and challenging. At times it may seem impossible to create any significant degree of change. However, with the availability of some of the various forms of <strong>single mother financial help</strong>, small steps can be taken.</p>
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		<title>Living Assistance for Single Moms: All the Help You’ll Ever Need</title>
		<link>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/living-assistance-for-single-moms-all-the-help-you%e2%80%99ll-ever-need/</link>
		<comments>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/living-assistance-for-single-moms-all-the-help-you%e2%80%99ll-ever-need/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:05:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help for moms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help for mothers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single moms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mothers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.singlemom.net/blog/?p=12</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Living assistance for single moms is a vital way of topping up your expenses and easing those financial worries in a key area. Living expenses can take a hefty chunk out of your weekly or monthly budget and therefore government help can be extra valuable. Finances are one of the main things that you will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Living assistance for single moms is a vital way of topping up your expenses and easing those financial worries in a key area. Living expenses can take a hefty chunk out of your weekly or monthly budget and therefore government help can be extra valuable. Finances are one of the main things that you will worry about so keeping on top of the information that could help you is crucial.</p>
<p>Your child has to be fed, clothed and looked after. All of these things cost money and with the price of school and medicine increasing the current economic climate, it will be easy for you to lose control over your money. Living assistance can be used to pay for a lot of food and drink that will be fundamentally important in the ay your child grows up and naturally develops.</p>
<p>This article will focus on one or two options that you will have in terms of living assistance. Obviously the helping hand will be a big one, so a lot of people will be interested in using the help that is on offer. You need to be ready for rejection but this is a common part of the modern process as assistance is so valuable in the current economic climate.</p>
<p>There is a government program called WIC, which you should investigate thoroughly. It was set up to help single mothers feed their children properly and to stop a lot of families from sinking towards the poverty line. This program will provide single mothers with children under five with the following foods: milk, cereal, cheese, juice, beans, peanut butter and eggs.</p>
<p>You can easily see why such a program can be so popular and if you have not applied for this living assistance then you must get your name in the list very quickly. There can only be a certain number of resources circulating at any given time and if the quantities run out before you have taken the decision to act than you will feel guilty inside yourself for not reacting quicker.</p>
<p>Qualified single mothers can also receive vouchers from the government that can be used before they reach the date of expiration that is displayed on them. The Department of Children and Families offers these as a way to encourage you into getting more healthy food and drink into your child’s diet. These vouchers are only valid in a limited number of locations but they are something you should not ignore because they may be able to help you out.</p>
<p>There is a lot you can do as a single mother to improve the living conditions for your child. Living assistance for single moms is growing in popularity and you need to start applying now to make sure that you do not miss out. Be thorough and make sure someone advises you on where to go for assistance if the above programs are going to take a long period of time to help you.</p>
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		<title>How to Find Affordable Childcare for Single Mothers</title>
		<link>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/how-to-find-affordable-childcare-for-single-mothers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/how-to-find-affordable-childcare-for-single-mothers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:02:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mom blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single moms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mothers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single parents]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.singlemom.net/blog/?p=10</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Being a single mother isn’t easy. The long hours at work combined with the responsibilities of home life can be quite a strain. It is essential that you get some time to yourself when you are playing the role of single mother. The only problem is that child care costs can negate this possibility. In [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Being a single mother isn’t easy. The long hours at work combined with the responsibilities of home life can be quite a strain. It is essential that you get some time to yourself when you are playing the role of single mother. The only problem is that child care costs can negate this possibility. In this article we will suggest places to find affordable <strong>childcare for single mothers</strong>.</p>
<p>If you have family near by or even trusted friends, take advantage of any help that they may offer. They may be quite generous offering to mind your children while you are at work and saving you a lot of money; or they may only be able to offer you a few hours here and there but this should be enough time to relax, sit back and have some down time. Putting yourself first a few hours a week can make a big difference in your physical and mental health.</p>
<p>Single parent support groups can offer another option for affordable <strong>childcare for single</strong> <strong>mothers</strong>. Most communities have these in one form or another. They will provide you with the opportunity to meet with other single parents, get advice on how to cope and network. They are great places to discuss your frustration with others that know what you’re going through. Another bonus is they often have a supervised play area for children so you don’t have to worry about finding a babysitter.</p>
<p>Many local churches offer nursery groups for children. Most are run by volunteers from the local church and some do charge a minimal fee. However they do provide a safe place to leave your children for a few hours while you run errands or allow some time for yourself.</p>
<p>Some shopping centers will operate a limited day care service. These are run by professionals but there are strict time limits in place. Usually 2 hours is the maximum time you can leave your child in their care. Many also place strict age limits as well. Some centers are quite reluctant to accept babies. However it does provide an option to get your shopping done without the constant worry of your children.</p>
<p>Finally, depending on where you live you may be entitled to a child care allowance. Some states and communities offer this to help single mothers and parents to stay in work. Services may vary but it is defiantly worth looking into.</p>
<p>Being a single parent isn’t easy but there is help out there. Many times the single parent is so focused on the needs of the children that they forget and begin to neglect their needs. By taking advantage of the free and reduced priced child care available, you can allow yourself some down time and refocus your energy on what is really important.</p>
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		<title>Help for Single Pregnant Mothers</title>
		<link>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/help-for-single-pregnant-mothers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/help-for-single-pregnant-mothers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 02:58:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help for moms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pregnancy help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mother help]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.singlemom.net/blog/?p=7</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finding yourself as a single parent is one of the toughest challenges that life can throw at you. What is even more difficult is managing the worry of how your life will cope when you are expecting another. Help for single pregnant mothers is a key topic on the modern agenda and the group of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Finding yourself as a single parent is one of the toughest challenges that life can throw at you. What is even more difficult is managing the worry of how your life will cope when you are expecting another. Help for single pregnant mothers is a key topic on the modern agenda and the group of unique people that have to fight alone seem to be growing in popularity as time passes.</p>
<p>There can be nothing worse than being thrust into a situation as a single parent and not having any idea on where to turn to release the stress. You must have some idea of the help that is around you because if you do not the bad feelings you have can start to overwhelm you.</p>
<p>As a single parent, you will be intent on your independence and probably proving that you can act alone and become stronger for it. Financial worry is just a single area that can be addressed but there are other avenues of help you should consider trying if things start to get a bit too much. There are a lot of people that are employed by the government and other organizations who will do a lot of the leg work for you while you worry about the health and well being of your child and your expected baby.</p>
<p>Never be afraid of having to admit defeat and ask for help. Your family and friends love you and will do anything they can to make your life easier. These will be the people who know you best and have watched you most closely in your role as a single parent, they will be able to tell you precisely what they think you may be doing wrong. Friends will be able to recognize external threats to you and your pregnancy and will take a lot of the burden away from you.</p>
<p>Stay happy around your child the best you can because children have the ability to realise particular feelings at a very young age and cling onto them. If the only thing they know is worry and stress, which you display, then they will associate the home and you with this. Elevated levels of stress and fatigue could also have an effect on your unborn baby.</p>
<p>Children thrive on attention because it keeps them constantly entertained. The internet has a million ideas that can keep your child engaged for long periods of time while you do the more important jobs around the house. Entertaining your child with ideas from websites will allow you to focus on your health and preparation for pregnancy and coping.</p>
<p>Stability is everything in a single parent home. The first thing you should do if there are any signs of crisis is make sure all of the important things are stable. You can help yourself today by making sure your home has solid foundations and is a no nonsense sort of area.</p>
<p>Help for single pregnant mothers<strong> </strong>can be everywhere you choose to look. Whether it is financial help from the government or personal help from family, it is there designed to help you.</p>
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		<title>Best Places to Live for Single Mothers: Subconscious Security Forever</title>
		<link>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/best-places-to-live-for-single-mothers-subconscious-security-forever/</link>
		<comments>http://www.singlemom.net/blog/best-places-to-live-for-single-mothers-subconscious-security-forever/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 02:36:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[places to live]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mom lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mothers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.singlemom.net/blog/?p=3</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The most important thing in your life as a single mother will be the well being of your child and the environment that they grow up in. Whether you are looking to relocate or simply pick a high standard area to live in the best places to live for single mothers require a great deal [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>The most important thing in your life as a single mother will be the well being of your child and the environment that they grow up in. Whether you are looking to relocate or simply pick a high standard area to live in the <strong>best places to live for single mothers</strong> require a great deal of care and thought.</p>
<p>Never forget that the decision you make in relation to the area you decide to live will directly influence a number of other areas. You need to think about work as well as your child’s education, pick a bad area for either of these things and you will hamper the immediate future of your life. The best places to live will provide you with all of the things that you should not have to think about when it comes to the environment that your child will grow up in.</p>
<p>This article will look at the main things you should consider and what the best places to live for a single mother actually are. It is important that at every stage of the process and at every house you choose to see, remember that a lot of things relate and react with each other. The best place to live will be the place that gives you the fewest headaches.</p>
<p>Firstly, you need to consider properties in built up areas and big cities. There will be a greater choice of places that you can live here but they should be cheaper. A city will always offer more in terms of work options if you are looking to establish a career and money wise it could turn out to be very productive. The standard of education in cities such as New York or London will also be very high and there will be no shortage of school or college places available.</p>
<p>The counter productive measure of the city is that it mutes the natural curiosity that a child has, they will not be able to run through fields and discover a world of natural beauty.</p>
<p>Secondly, you can take the countryside option. Although the options in terms of services, education and work will be reduced your child will not miss out on the natural beauty of the planet. They will be able to run around like a maniac for as many school hours and regular hours as they wish, which will help their natural development. Bear in mind that the countryside life will cost a lot more because it is more desirable.</p>
<p>Your final option will be to pick a hard line community to live in. These will commonly be on the fringes of cities but the benefits of living in a well-knit community are huge, regardless of cost. It will be like having a family away from a family and you can always talk to neighbours and friends about problems.</p>
<p>Think long and hard about the <strong>best places to live for single mothers</strong> because there are advantages and disadvantages to each option. Every thing that relates to your life and your child’s life depends on the choice you make so ensure that you get it right.</p>
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