The struggle is real for single moms. Whether by choice or leaving an abusive relationship, being single with a child is hard work. To make matters worse, not many people understand the circumstances that cause a woman to become a single mom, and society sometimes make single moms feel as if it’s their fault.

We asked single moms in mom.life what they wanted to get off their chest about being a single mom. They told us stories of survival, wishing the dad could be in their child’s life and overcoming the odds. Single moms are strong, care utterly for their babies and are fiercely independent. 💪

Here are 18 reasons why single moms should have our respect.❤️

Always hopeful for the future

I’m a single mom to 3 (from ex husband- 12,10, 9 yrs old) and am pregnant with 4th. I didn’t think I could have anymore babies. I was left single at 5 months and the hardest part is not having baby’s dad there to rub my belly, show concern for me, share in the excitement, have someone to tell me I’m beautiful in my ever changing body. I cry a lot and get sad a lot…but believe it or not, I have so much hope and excitement for the future. I have a great career so I do not have the added stress of struggling financially at the moment. Overall life is good but lonely.

Overcame abuse

I’m a single mom of two one is almost three and a newborn. my oldest ones dad left us for someone else and my youngest dad was abusive. it’s easier to be single than to try and date for fear of my kids being abused or mistreated

I’m a single mother of 2 under two by choice from staying away abuse and bettering the life for my children it’s hard but all worth it.

Able to block out toxic people

I’m a single mom of 3 and being pregnant again is difficult. I’m also a full time student. I get no sleep, I skip meals so that my kids get the attention they need. My children’s father chose an 18 year old over them. He has not been in their lives since. He doesn’t pay for anything not even diapers or wipes for the youngest child. I have to put up walls to block people out of my children’s lives because they are toxic people. It’s hard trying to make sure your house is clean and every meal is made the way your children like it with no help. It’s hard to socialize with anyone because you’re always busy with your children and making sure they aren’t getting into anything.

Do things without anyone else

It is especially hard being a single mom when breastfeeding, going back to work & pumping. my son is attached to me so after I feed him and need to pump I can’t because he wants me to hold him or play with him. It’s also hard doing everything on your own and never getting acknowledgement for keeping it all together.

I’m a single mom of 5 pregnant with my 6th. And it is overly hard trying to keep things together and running smoothly. I have teenage boys and trying to get them to help is like pulling teeth. It would be nice for someone to just help get things together with me. Help with the stress.

Deal with stress alone

Being a single mom is tough in the aspect of doing everything, paying for everything, and dealing with the stress by yourself.

Get double the love

But it is more worthwhile because you get double of everything:kisses, snuggles, hugs, and love. You also have all the say…you don’t have to worry about what the other will say to contradict you. I love being a single mom, though 😊 My daughter is definitely worth the heartbreak and the stress and the drama I’ve had to endure. She is my rock and my sunshine and I wouldn’t want to have to share her with anyone else.

It’s hard but you’ve got this

I know it will be hard but I’ll have tons of help ❤️ I’m choosing to be a single mom, I’ve said this ever since I was little 😊

I’m trying so hard to stay strong for him. This has by far been the hardest night

I wasn’t expecting to get left by my SO but it happened after three years. Being a young single mother is really hard, plus he wasn’t there for our sons birth and I haven’t heard from him in 7 months. I had to quit my job once my son was born and stop going to school at the time because I was due in the middle of the semester (finishing this fall)… But I love my son and wouldn’t do it any other way. I’m glad I have such supportive parents helping me through this tough time.

Cherish every moment with their children

It gets hard having to do everything alone, sometimes a little overwhelming with work taking care of my daughter, with all the cleaning, and laundry. days I’m just like, wtf … but then there are really great days and it makes me forget about it all. I love watching her grow every day.. suing her do new things, and learn. I feel like her dad is missing out, but I’m going to cherish every minute I spend with her.

Nothing is impossible

I’m a single mom to a 6yr old lil boy. I’ve struggled so much and have had to go through alot to provide a great life for us both. and now i am currently pregnant with my 2nd baby and i am currently single again. at first i got sad but then i realized its better to raise my children with no drama and fighting and bad vibes. id rather do it on my own and my way then have bad negative ppl around me. its super hard but not impossible.

I was a single mom with my first and honestly it was better to be alone then with someone that didn’t deserve my son or me it is hard but in my opinion I was better off being a single mom

I’m pregnant with my first child, but already a single mom. It’s been very emotional going through this experience alone, but I know I will be okay. ❤️

We never expect to be single mothers. But of it comes to that, just know that the world doesn’t end there, your life isn’t over (no matter your age). You still have options! I pushed my way through college while working full time with a todler and NO HELP. Nothing is impossible unless you make it impossible!

Learn to be everything for their baby

Its was so extremely difficult to get sleep the first few weeks. One day out of the week I would beg BEG my mom to take her so I could get some sleep. Then I would lay in my extremely tired but couldn’t fall asleep because I was worried about her. Finally I got her on a schedule where we both sleep through the night. But you don’t have that support when your family leaves, and you’re alone. Sometimes I have to walk away stressed out. Being a single mommy to a new born is EXTREMELY difficult. But it’s do worth it in the end on those amazingly good days.

But the restless sleep isn’t as bad as having to go for child support. The father refused and refused to go for the DNA test and child support until it had to be court ordered. Seeing the father the first time since I’ve gotten pregnant brought up a lot of old feelings that i truly do not want. When the father refuses his child you feel, helpless and useless because you think to yourself, ‘It’s my fault. My child won’t have a father because of my careless actions.’ And even if the father would want to come around now I would want it, but then again I remember how he acted. And think to myself, what if he doesn’t want the baby? Like how he’s been saying. Would he hurt her? Would he not take care of her while she is in his care? But you don’t want to be seen as ‘That Mom’ who won’t the father see his child. Mixed Emotions about everything.

Shine with strength

It is super hard and stressful and I’ve told my son what happened. He loves me even more because I didn’t lose hope but my boyfriend is wonderful he accepts my son as his own and you can really only take it one day at a time.

To be honest it’s the hardest thing I have ever done. I struggled my whole pregnancy with so many emotions. I think being a single mother we have this strength that only God can give us. I survived with lots of praying and having faith. I have a precious baby boy who I would give the world to and each day is a new day.

Beyond focused

I’ve been a single mom for 6 months now since my fiancé passed away. Im also 34 weeks pregnant with baby number 2. It is really hard to go from being two parents building a future for ur children together to everything falling on ur shoulders and being fully responsible for ur children’s future. I never imagined I would be in this situation and every day I find new challenges but everyday I also overcome some. Even though I wish with all my heart I wasn’t in this situation, I know I’m gonna do whatever I have to do to secure a future for my girls. It also helps a lot to have a support system. The only person I can count on right now is my mom but I feel lucky to at least have someone there because I know many people don’t have anyone. The main thing is focusing on ur children and doing what you have to do to provide for them.

Never give up!

I’m a single mom of a 1 month old so i haven’t had much experience yet. Some days feel like they go on forever and i think I’m messing everything up for my daughter. My tip is to stay calm and never give up!! no matter what how many times you cry and fall apart remember your doing an amazing job and your baby/kid loves you

Appreciate help

Being a single mom taught me to work hard for what I want, and appreciate the help I am given. I struggled hard to get where I am. When I found my “soul mate” I loved him more than anything because of his love for my daughter. Now we own a house and he makes enough to support all of us, and I still work and now go to college full time with 2 kids. He understands that even though he has no plans of ever leaving me and vice versa, I still want a career so that I can fully support me and the kids IF for some reason we didn’t have him to support us anymore. He reminds me at least 3 times a week “baby, you’re not a single mom anymore. stop doing everything by yourself.”

New sense of faith

Prayer, family and faith got me through it 🙌🙌

Jesus got me thru ..there truly is power in prayer 🙏☝💛

Strongest bond ever with their kids

I was a single mom for about 5 years and it was a struggle but also the most amazing thing to ever happen to us! my son and I have the strongest bond imaginable, he knows he will always have me when everyone else is too busy.. mama always has his back! it only made us love and appreciate the struggle and success more than anything, knowing we can get through anything life throws at us! very thankful he has a step dad now that loves him as much as the child we are expecting, it helps a lot but I still miss it being just us from time to time.. my son is the most mature, understanding, loving and compassionate beings I’ve ever known and I like to think I had a big part in that 🙂 nothing is impossible!

It is hard to go from having some help and nobody. You will be tired overwhelmed and exhausted you just have to push through and do it for your baby. It is rewarding in the long run.

Self-discipline is their middle name

When I was a single mother, what really got me through the tough times was knowing that every issue I was undergoing was TEMPORARY, I knew that being optimistic and self discipline would get me to where I needed to be. never forget who lended a helping hand I was fortunate to have my mother watch my daughter while I went to school full-time and worked full-time, never forget your struggle because humility is beauty, Always stay true to yourself, in every obstacle you face there is always a reward at the end. be confident and ignore the rude ignorant people that judge you, I was 19 when I had my oldest daughter and I will never forget the whispers and stares.. always trust your instincts, pay it forward.. every person that lifted you up when you were down never forget them ♡ being organized is a must, the more children you have the easier it is to manage, feel your chest.. that beating is a purpose.. never forget your worth ♡

Adaptable

Being a single mom for 8 years taught me that you should always be able to take care of yourself and your kids without anyone’s else’s help. Don’t put yourself into a situation where you can’t survive without a husband. 2nd truth is, it’s not as hard as everyone makes it out to be, you learn to adapt and sacrifice, and it does become 2nd nature. Is it nice having a partner of course? but don’t let anyone put you down or make you feel you are not as good as them because they have a ring on their finger and you don’t. You are not a pity party or disease. You are a woman and mother just like them.

Share your single parenting stories in the comments below 💞