It's easy to feel like you are alone as a single parent and in many senses, you are. You have to be the sole provider for the family while still giving your children the emotional support and guidance they need and deserve. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming or that it's just too much for one person to do alone. However, there are resources out there to help you. It's important to take advantage of these resources whenever you can so that you can provide for your children as well as possible.
Children of all ages require a great deal of financial care. Rent or mortgage alone is often a lot for a single parent to handle. When you factor in possible medical costs, new clothing and shoes, school supplies, sports and recreational activities and more, every penny adds up.
There are financial aid programs available for single parents through Federal Welfare Services as well as private organizations and local government sponsored programs. Many single parents don't take advantage of these services available to help them either because they don't know that they exist or they don't know how to apply for them.
Recognizing Help is Available
If you're a single parent, it's important to know that you don't have to bear all the financial weight on your own shoulders. If you take advantage of some of the opportunities for financial aid, you can spend more time focusing on other things such as your relationship with your children and spending time together. When you're struggling as a single mom or dad, even the smallest pieces of financial help can make a huge difference in the lives of your children.
The problem with financial aid for single parents is that most parents don't know where to turn for help. Often the processes involved in seeking financial aid are complicated and confusing. For a parent already pushed to their limits, it's hard to find the time to sort all of this out. You may also feel like you don't have the time in your already hectic schedule to seek the aid that you so desperately need.
Financial aid for single parents comes in different forms. The first step is to find out what types of financial aid are available. You can receive grants to help you go back to school, get a better education and a better job or promotion in your current job. There are also grants available to help your children get into college when they are old enough. You or your child can apply for FAFSA, free application for federal student aid.
Help for Low Income Single Parents
If you are a low income single parent, there may also be government aid to help you with medical coverage, food, child care and even gas expenses. You can apply for many of these types of financial aid from your local human resources department.
Most areas also have afterschool programs and volunteer programs designed to help single parents. You can make sure your child is in a safe location, being watched and cared for while you're at work. Many afterschool programs will keep your child for free if you are working late hours and will also feed them and help them with homework while providing positive role models.
There are also government programs to help you get help from the other parent if you are not already. You can seek assistance in child support or other matters if you're not already getting it. If you need legal help to address these financial matters, this is often available for single parents for free as well.
Don't make the mistake of thinking you are too busy to do anything about your current situation. There are grants and other forms of financial aid available to you and it's well worth the time to investigate and apply. If you don't do it for yourself, at least think of your children. It's worth it to give them a better life or more comfort in the life they now have. The financial help will also allow you to spend more time with your children, which is the most important thing any parent can do.