Actress says being a single working mother is difficult
April 24, 2012
Being a single mother can be challenging - even for Hollywood celebrities.
Actress January Jones, who stars on the hit TV show "Mad Men," recently opened up about being a single mom to her now 7-month-old son, Xander.
"I was back when the baby was only 6 or 7 weeks old so it was difficult," the actress, 34, told Us Weekly. "It was difficult to be a working mom and just juggling all of that. But everyone made it work and it was great. They made it baby-friendly for me, because I'm the first female on set to have a baby so I got to bring him. He had his own room and I was able to work around it because I was nursing."
While most single moms certainly don't enjoy the same perks that celebrities do, like being able to bring their children to work, many employers are sensitive to the demands of motherhood. Whether you return to work immediately after having a baby or enjoy a longer maternity leave, it's a good idea to speak with your employer about making the transition easier. You may want to ask about the possibility of a flexible work schedule, working from home and whether there is a private area at your office for nursing mothers to pump milk for their babies.
According to SingleParentCenter.net, there are approximately 14 million single parents in the U.S., caring for 21.6 million children.
The website reports that about 80 percent of single mothers are employed outside of the home, with 50 percent working full-time and 30 percent working part-time. In addition, as many as 27 percent of single mothers live in poverty with their children.
Getting a college degree can help single mothers ensure the financial independence of gtheir families. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011, individuals with a bachelor's degree made an average of $1,053 per week, compared to $768 per week for those with an associate degree, $719 per week for those with some college (but no degree) and $638 per week for those with a high school diploma.
While paying for a college education and supporting a family may seem impossible to some, single mothers should know that they may qualify for various single mother scholarships, grants for parents and other financial aid to help them afford to go to school while being financially responsible for their families.
