Jasmine's Place Issue No. 15 - February 2015 | Page 31
In 2004, my husband received a job
offer in another state that started
immediately. He took the job and
moved to Ohio, while I stayed in
upstate NY with our two children and
tried to sell our home. Our baby was
very ill and my dad had just passed
away. day - give baths, read at bedtime,
help with homework, do the laundry,
sort clothes, make dinner, take care
of dishes, pack daycare or school
bags, attend medical appointments,
communicate with teachers, shop for
clothes and groceries, clean the
house, and much more.
During the week I was it. Everyone
depended on me. Employing a babysitter is a luxury
most single moms can’t afford, so
they don't have any opportunity to
attend a Bible study, book club, or a
rare night out with peers. They aren’t
well rested because it is on their
shoulders to be alert in case anyone
wakes up during the night. Their job
is 24/7, 365 days a year. These moms
often do it without encouragement
from the outside world.
I was taking care of feeding, diaper
changes, homeschooling my
kindergartner, laundry, bill paying,
and preparing the house to sell. If
the baby woke up, I had to be the
one to tend to her. Because she had
breathing difficulties and nearly died,
I barely slept. That summer it rained
nearly every day, requiring me to
frequently mow our 2 acres. There
were days I threw the riding
lawnmower into 5th gear so I could
cut grass while the baby slept,
leaving my 6 year old as baby
monitor lookout.
It was the hardest season I’ve ever
known. For me, it was just that, a
season.
But many moms take care of their
family without the support I have in
my husband. They are single moms
who work full time, sometimes with
more than one job. Some also attend
classes to further their education or
finish a degree they started before
having children. Yet the same
mommy duties exist for them each
My takeaway after my experience as
a solo parent for a season was to be
an encouragement to single moms. I
confess, I’m not always sure how,
and sometimes moms decline my
offers, perhaps not wanting to
appear to need help. It’s not about
that. I want to help. I hope you do,
too.
Their job is 24/7, 365
days a year. These
moms often do it
without
encouragement from
the outside world.
JASMINE'S PLACE
31