Getting support to get back to school
September 20, 2012
Single moms are used to doing everything on their own without as much assistance as they can in order to stay independent and provide care for their families. Accepting financial aid for mothers may mean that a woman can no longer be as much a sole caregiver and must ask for help from others, including friends and family, as well as older children in the household. This is a learning experience for kids, though, and one they should be allowed to have.
Sharing the load
More time than ever will be directed away from home activities now that mom is back in the classroom. Even when she's at home, time at the table will be spent studying coursework and reading materials for classes. Doing well in college means the difference between a whole new level of income for such families, and the priority will have to become education.
Giving kids more chores and responsibilities is one way to handle this issue. If the children aren't old enough yet to manage themselves, having a babysitter or daycare service will need to be an option. If there aren't sufficient funds for such a provision, talking to friends and family to orchestrate after-school care will be vital to the safety and security of the family, as well as the ability to continue educational pursuits.
Teaching the ropes
Giving older children the ability to care for themselves provides mental resources they will find essential in years to come. There are many things that younger children, even, can take care of, and starting young will encourage helpful, constructive attitudes in the future. It will also show them how to work as a team to meet a specific goal, and how to care for others and the things that they need to accomplish.
In order to pursue this end, showing children how to do household activities is a must. How to run laundry, operate a vacuum cleaner and start the dishwasher are things that adults simply know how to do, but children must be shown and taught in order to do these things correctly and safely. This will make them more self-sufficient and give them pride in the clean clothes they wear and the homes they share with their moms.
