It can be an exhausting battle for a mother to care for her child or children, even if the mother’s self -has chosen single motherhood. How do we make it easy for this group?
What do you think of when you hear the term ‘single mother’? CHANSES ARE YOU’LL THINK OF WELFARE MOTHERS OR PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP. A Receiving, Passive Group That Needs Financial Help From the Government. Policy Officer Bram Hodes of the Single Supermom Foundation Thatts That’s QUITE AN UNDERVALUATION, But It’s in Line with How Our Society Undervalues The Care of Children in General.
The Single Supermom Foundation Focuses on the Group of Single Mothers Who, Often Against Their Wishes, Have Full Care of Their Children. These Mothers can get bogged down in all the care tasks and financial worries. The Foundation Supports Them With Discussion Groups, Self-Management and Empowerment Courses, and Fun Family Activities.
A single mother does not necessarily have a harder time than a mother who shares the care tasks, says hodes, but single mothers are hit harder by setbacks.
More than 600,000 Single parent families
In The Netherlands, there are Approximately 610.633 Single parent families in 2023. That amounts to 23 percent of all families with children live at home. In most cases, it is a single mother with one or more children, accordance to the Netherlands Youth Institute.
“For the Women we focus on, multiple problems can arise; financial stress, debts, psychological complaints or parenting problems, and so the situation can Become increasingly complicated,” Says hodes.
“But this is not a passive group. They are the most active people I know. They run a household, day and night, or without a partner. They know exactly what they want, but what they are not always possible.”
Conscious Solo Mothers also Have complaint and sorrow
A Single Mother Who Chose This Form of Parenthood Herself Has Often Already Thought in Advance about Help From Her Own Network, Sufficient Financial Space, Opportunities with Work and ChildCare. That does not alter the fact that they too or tenefit great from recognition and support.
These Bam Mothers (Consciously Single Mothers) – OR Rather: Solo Mothers – Often Deal with a Different child of complaint and Mourning; about the absence of a love partner to grow old together with. That is Precisely Why the Need for a Network of Women Who Are Going Through The Same Thing Is So Great, Says Maaike Rijnsburger. She is the owner of 2 hands on 1 belly and organizes pregnancy courses for singles, among other things.
One of the goals of such a course is that women stay in touch with each other. “Being Able to Share Your Story About Your Fertility Process Or Your Choice for Solo Mother Hood, Exchange Practical Tips, Find Recognition: It is Easier in a Group of Women Who Are Going Through The Same Thing.” In The Mama Cafés That Rijnsburger Organizes, Expectant Mothers, Pregnant Women and Mothers with Their Children Come Together. “It is Especialally Great for that first group to see Those Women Are Just Pulling It Off With Their Own Child.”
It is really not always nice to keep Hearing from Women who are not doing it alone that you are so cool, or so smart or brave. “You made the choice yourself, but many solo Mothers would have preferred it differently and formed their family with a love partner. This is their B-Choice.”
If we are a society because to make life a little asier for these education, then it helps if we start thinking differently about the care of children in general. “Raising children is not just a matter for parents,” Says hodes. “It is in Everyone’s Interest That Parents – Including Single Parents – Have the Space to Take Good Care of Their Children. We Still Don’t See That Care As Full Work.” An Employer Who Says That Your Children Are Your Private Matter That Has Nothing to Do With Work Has Not Understood, Accordination to the Single Supermom Foundation.
Small Things Can Already Make A Difference, Say Both Experts. Hodes: “Think of a neighbor you can fall back on. You don’t have to call call, just the fact that you can helps. For some with a sick child or a job interview, that mental safety just can be worth its WeT Weight in Gold.”