Any single parent hsers?

[heatherdeg]

I have a dear friend that is newly single and really wants to continue staying home with her kids. They're not really hsing age yet, but I posted in the SAHM forum and thought that it's likely there are SAHPs here who could be single, too--so I'm posting here, too.

Would appreciate ANY insights, advice, etc. you can give to pass on. I've already passed on the in-home daycare idea except that she will be losing her home and doesn't even know what state she'll be living in soon. She's already having problems because she and stbx only moved to the state they're in less than 6mo ago.

Horrible sitch. Thanks for any help.

[MamaRhi]

Hi, I'm a newly single mom who is going back to homeschooling. My kids are 8 and 11 though and my situation is probably not the same. However, I'm good for sharing experiences if she'd like someone to talk to.

[frugalmama]

Single parent hs mom here - it can be done but it done require being very flexible and having at least some support network.

Will she be getting enough in CS to cover the bills? Can she work a small WAHM job to cover the rest? She needs to sit down and figure out on paper what she should have coming in, and any aid she qualifies for as well.

If she's going to move, look into subsidized housing or similar programs as rent is based on income. Another option is to buy an RV and road-school, or even just park it on people's land free in exchange for house-sitting {yes, people actually pay for people to house-sit for them and let you park your RV there free}. That's a good option, especially in TX as a lot of people look for house sitters for summer while they go up north. I know several home schooling families who do this and love it.

We live in a far lower standard so that I can stay home and hs. I do a lot of irregular income - yard sales, surveys, mystery shopping, etc - things I can do either at home or while DD is at g-mas.

[MamaRhi]

It does require creativity. I am living in a converted 5th wheel travel trailer on my friends' land and being a 'caretaker' here. By converted I mean that the alterations I am making to help it be more homelike render it untravellable. I have plans to add other somewhat temporary buildings as money allows. It's definitely a learning experience for the kids.

[CrazyCatLady]

I am a single mom who unschools. DD's dad is no longer in the picture at all. So she never see's him for visits and I don't receive any child support. I am also mentally disabled which makes things even more complicated. We live in southern California which is very expensive.

It does take a lot of creativity. I get some SSI money. But certainly not enough to live on/homeschool on. We live in a very small room (10x10) in a huge house on a huge piece of property. In addition to rent I also do a lot of work with the barn and the animals so that Zayla can live here and she can have a big yard to play in, a garden, etc.

I do a lot of odd jobs. Modeling, personal training, babysitting, etc. Work has been pretty slow lately though and I'm hurting to be honest. Zayla also get's some food stamp money. I don't qualify for any but I do get a prescription for ensures...so that's what I mostly "eat".

This year I'm going to try doing an ISP with Zayla through a new local charter school. That way she's be able to take a lot of different lessons for free (which could help save me a lot of money right now). And as an unschooler, I'm really not loving the idea. But as a broke, single mom...I need to at least try it.

So yeah, lots of compromise, creativity, patience, and a very positive attitude are what I need at least to make it happen. It's not easy at all, but for me it's been very worth it.

Feel free to ask if you or your friend has any questions.

[MamaRhi]

I think what I see as the most helpful right now is that I am going to be going through a homeschool charter school this time around. Having that assistance is going to really make a huge difference in our success with homeschooling. Any single or low income parent who is considering homeschooling should at least look into that as an option.