| In the US, there are more than 30 million single moms. | | | | Join groups/volunteer for activities that add time with |
| They come in all shapes and sizes; educated | | | | your kids and bullets for your resume. (Chaired school |
| professional women, working middle class women, | | | | festival booth = organized volunteers, handled cash, did |
| low-income single mothers and disadvantaged | | | | pre and onsite event marketing) See Best Networking |
| teenagers alike. Universally, their objective is to provide | | | | Tips for 2010 and When Getting a Job IS Your Job, |
| the things that money will and will not buy, while | | | | Young & Need More Money |
| retaining their sanity. Ultimately, every single mom | | | | School/Classes: GED, College, Career Education or |
| needs more time and more money. | | | | Training |
| For single moms, it's much easier to see the | | | | Visit a school academic/admissions advisor and get |
| roadblocks than the possibilities. In business, a Gap | | | | started! Look into specific scholarships, grants and |
| Analysis provides a simple technique for seeing past | | | | school-sponsored/supported programs for single |
| roadblocks and exposing the road to success. The | | | | moms! Take advantage of employer tuition assistance |
| same technique, adapted to your life, compares what | | | | and job certification programs. |
| you need to what you have and examines the "gaps" | | | | Flexible Schedule: School holidays, Family illnesses, |
| in between that have to change. Action plans, created | | | | Difficult work shift hours |
| for each of the "gaps," help prioritize your life, insure | | | | Share with other parents (see Time, above). Look for |
| your kids get the time, structure and predictability they | | | | jobs and/or ask your employer about telecommutes |
| need, and help you face the future with real and | | | | and/or flex-time options that allow more suitable work |
| obtainable goals. | | | | hours. Discuss a plan with your boss that allows for |
| Here are several suggestions to common scenarios | | | | emergencies with flex time, vacation/sick time |
| that should spark your imagination and help you plan. | | | | substitutes and other actions that get the work done |
| Remember; creating predictability and avoiding | | | | while allowing you to be a mom. |
| unplanned-for interruptions often solves more than ½ | | | | More Money: On going additional income, Emergency |
| of the issues at work and with childcare providers. | | | | funds, Career/Job change |
| WHAT I NEED STRATEGY/ACTION PLAN | | | | Teach a class in a skill you already have. Offer a |
| Time: For myself, school, work, For the kids | | | | weekly "parents-night service," or "homework party" |
| Join or create a support network that gives everyone | | | | advertise with your support network, and charge a |
| a weekly 3-4 hour free-time schedule. Charge a | | | | nominal fee to watch 3-5 kids for the evening. Explore |
| nominal monthly membership/ administration fee to | | | | part-time work, "gigs/short term contracts" and |
| create income! | | | | telecommute work opportunities that fit your family |
| Work Experience: Can't get it with present job, Can't | | | | schedule. Work with an experienced career-counselor |
| afford to quit | | | | to help structure the work & income plan you need. |