More Time and More Money for Single Moms

March 5, 2010 - PRLog -- In the US, there are more than 30 million single moms.  They come in all shapes and sizes; educated professional women, working middle class women, low-income single mothers and disadvantaged teenagers alike.   Universally, their objective is to provide the things that money will and will not buy, while retaining their sanity. Ultimately, every single mom needs more time and more money.

For single moms, it’s much easier to see the roadblocks than the possibilities.  In business, a Gap Analysis provides a simple technique for seeing past roadblocks and exposing the road to success.  The same technique, adapted to your life, compares what you need to what you have and examines the “gaps” in between that have to change.  Action plans, created for each of the “gaps,” help prioritize your life, insure your kids get the time, structure and predictability they need, and help you face the future with real and obtainable goals.

Here are several suggestions to common scenarios that should spark your imagination and help you plan.  Remember; creating predictability and avoiding unplanned-for interruptions often solves more than ½ of the issues at work and with childcare providers.

WHAT I NEED STRATEGY/ACTION PLAN

Time: For myself, school, work, For the kids
Join or create a support network that gives everyone a weekly 3-4 hour free-time schedule.  Charge a nominal monthly membership/ administration fee to create income!
   
Work Experience: Can’t get it with present job, Can’t afford to quit  
Join groups/volunteer for activities that add time with your kids and bullets for your resume.  (Chaired school festival booth = organized volunteers, handled cash, did pre and onsite event marketing)  See Best Networking Tips for 2010 and When Getting a Job IS Your Job, Young & Need More Money

School/Classes: GED, College, Career Education or Training
Visit a school academic/admissions advisor and get started!  Look into specific scholarships, grants and school-sponsored/supported programs for single moms!  Take advantage of employer tuition assistance and job certification programs.

   
Flexible Schedule: School holidays, Family illnesses, Difficult work shift hours
Share with other parents (see Time, above).  Look for jobs and/or ask your employer about telecommutes and/or flex-time options that allow more suitable work hours.  Discuss a plan with your boss that allows for emergencies with flex time, vacation/sick time substitutes and other actions that get the work done while allowing you to be a mom.
   
More Money: On going additional income, Emergency funds, Career/Job change
Teach a class in a skill you already have.  Offer a weekly “parents-night service,” or “homework party” advertise with your support network, and charge a nominal fee to watch 3-5 kids for the evening.  Explore part-time work, “gigs/short term contracts” and telecommute work opportunities that fit your family schedule.  Work with an experienced career-counselor to help structure the work & income plan you need.

# # #

Joblirious is a leading provider of information for job seekers. Joblirious provides information, articles, tools, tips and techniques for online career colleges, career change, job searching, and interviewing.