40 Life Hacks for Single Mummy Life

I have been a single Mummy for eight years and loads of things have happened in that time. Some good things and some bad things.

I got divorced and I have fallen in and out of love (to) many times.

My children have grown into beautiful teenagers who are a joy and a challenge to live with.

I have had highs and lows in my career being made redundant 3 times and promoted twice.

I have struggled with my weight, losing 3 stone and gaining half of it back.

I have made friends, kept friends and unfortunately lost some friends.

I have also a started a couple of blogs and I am currently trying to make my writing hobby  a career.

I have also learnt a lot about myself about live, love and my career, so I thought I would take stock and share some of the lessons I have learned with you in the hope that it will help  you in some way.

So here goes

1. Do not chase any man, the right man will find you, when you are ready
2. If a man tells you something you don’t want to hear e.g. “I don’t want a relationship” listen and act accordingly (I have learnt this the hard way)
3. Make time for your family they are a constant and will always be there for you
4. Get some sleep, sometimes you will be so tired you will pray for unconsciousness
5. Know where all your documents are driving licence, house insurance etc. you will never know where they are when you need them
6. Don’t bad mouth you ex ( even when he has driven you to distraction ) to you kids, they are part of him and will see that as a criticism of themselves
7. Find time to do something for yourself even if it’s watching Big Brother for  an hour, make this time sacred.
8. Time is your precious resource use it well once it’s gone it gone
9. Enjoy every moment of you kids childhood it goes so quickly
10. Don’t be a slave to your job nobody lay on their deathbed and said “I wish I could have worked more”
11. Take lots of photos of everything, your kids , your friends, everywhere you go and everything you do, its lovely looking back at good times
12. Make memories with your children they will remember them with fondness as they grow up
13. Have private jokes with your children,  catchphrases that only you know about, it will bond you as a family
14. Take out one of those policies that covers the plumbing drains etc trust me  when you are ankle deep in sewage, they are worth there weight in gold
15. When your kids tell you there dreams, encourage them  and support them 100% it motivates them to succeed
16. Teach your children to cook as soon as they are old enough, this will help no end when you come home from work.
17. Encourage your children to tidy up after themselves ( I didn’t) and it causes a lot of stress and arguments
18. Save up and buy yourself something you don’t need. I put my spare change into a piggy bank I can’t open I call it my “Frippery Jar”
19. At Christmas and Birthdays tell you kids how much you are going to spend and let them decide what they want within your budget
20. If you have your own place keep it at all costs it’s your investment for the future.
21. Make a will , if anything happens you would want to spare your children the worry of sorting out your estate when they are grieving
22. Have a film that you watch when you are feeling down mine is “Moonstruck”  Cher is in it and it’s wonderful!
23. Try and sort your child support payments amicably if that can’t be done work towards not needing them
24. Know that your children love you unconditionally even when it feels that they don’t
25. Be aware of your moods, and know you can sometime difficult to live with, my kids and I are slaves to my hormones.
26. Say no to your kids sometimes. Practice it does get easier
27. Beware of married men who want you to make them feel better about their lives don’t let it be at your cost
28. Whatever you are aiming for you can get it,   be it  a job, a man, or a new skill it’s there for the taking. Go for it
29. Look after your health, being sick as a single mummy is no fun, have a contingency plan for when you literally can’t get out of bed
30. Watch or read the news every day you need to know what’s going on in the world ( and it helps with your general knowledge
31. Laugh with someone everyday it keeps you young makes it all worth it
32. Keep in touch with your friends their network of support is worth millions.
33. Don’t be scared, you can do anything and achieve everything you set out to do.
34. Have something to look forward to, it makes life easier when times are hard.
35. Stay in touch with your friends who don’t have children be sensitive of their feelings and support there choices
36. Don’t take work home, when you are at work, work hard, when you are home, be whatever you want to be
37. Have some life insurance be reassured that your mortgage will be paid off. If the worst happens
38. Make any tradesmen who come to your home  a cup of tea. They love it and it makes then nice to you
39. Have one outfit that makes you feel really special, if you haven’t got one get one,
40. Enjoy yourself  you are amazing , you only have one life so  live it, love it and laugh!

Did it help? Do you have any Life Hacks for single mums  ( and dads) you would be willing to share I would love to hear from you

Till the next time

Single mum Dawn