Living the life of a single mother

It is five in the morning and I am frustrated because I haven’t gotten any rest.
I have schoolwork, a test to study for and my day will start again in six hours.
Besides that, my baby won’t go to sleep. I am completely stressed out!
My life doesn’t get easier it gets harder, but I have no choice—I must move forward.
My five-month-old son is a blessing and a gift from God. I wouldn’t trade him for anything. He is part of the reason why I am still in school.
People see me as a strong woman and a good mother, but no one really knows what I go through.
My good days are great, but my bad days are horrible and if he is having a bad day, then so am I. Everyday it is something different. My son Javon has been sick twice in two weeks forcing me to miss class and work.
I have bills to pay and I am trying to graduate next semester.
Most of my teachers have been understanding, but not all of them.
My mom is my only support and I appreciate her so much.
This is my life and Javon is my responsibility forever.
-Anonymous
From day to day single mothers face many obstacles trying to raise a child and handle the roles and responsibilities of a mother and a father.
“I have a lot to do. My parents and my baby’s father give me a lot of support,” said Cardiss Payne, a senior majoring in mass communications from Baker and mother of one.
Many single mothers say organization is key when dealing with school and providing for little ones.
“I have a planner and I stay organized because I am on a tight schedule. Sometimes I am gone from seven in the morning to two in the afternoon. Tuesdays and Thursdays, I pick up the kids then run errands and go back to work,” said Juanita Sprattley, a mother of two majoring in accounting and minoring in piano performance from Baton Rouge.
While family support may be offered, many single mothers rely on themselves for strength.
“I am my own support system and I have a reliable day care. I get no assistance, so I have to work to take care of my kids,” Sprattley said.
Children often motivate single mothers to complete school so that they can create a better opportunity for their family.
“My kids make me want to complete school because I need a good job to give them what they want,” Sprattley said.
Payne said her son gave her an extra push and more motivation to go back to school after sitting out for a semester. Money management is also key to providing children with things they need.
“You have to balance your finances. I have rent, a car note, car insurance, cable, gas, pampers and things the kids need things for school. There are plenty of things that could make me stressed out, but I don’t let things get to me,” Sprattley said.
Although some people may say there pregnancy was a mistake, some single parents see things differently.
“I would never say I had my child on mistake. My son is a blessing,” Payne said.