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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 531
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 2:33 pm: | 
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I was wondering if there were any groups for Single mothers out there. A friend of mine is busting her butt trying to make ends meet and still make her son happy. Maybe if there was just someone to talk to about options and assistance? She doesn’t read MOL but I’m really trying to help her out a little. Thanks in advance |
Southorangemom
Citizen
Username: Southorangemom
Post Number: 60
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 7:13 pm: |
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Don't know if I can answer that question, but I am a single mom due to widowhood. It is never easy raising children, but doing so while flying solo is truly worthy of marathon-like efforts...or maybe I should compare it to the Ironman competition [we can even change the name to IronWOMAN].
If anyone else has a suggestion, please include me in the post.
SouthOrangemom |
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1532
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 11:36 pm: |
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Though I remarried this past May, I was a single (divorced) custodial dad for three years. One thing that helped me a lot was a couple of online support groups. They're not for everyone, because these people are flung around the globe. They still allow me to participate as an honorary member.
One I'm on now is at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Makinglemonadechatting. But I must warn that the volume of email tends to get high from time to time.
I'll provide the address of the fathers' one upon request, but I'd rather not post it here.
There are also some good books.
Also very important is that being a single parent can drive you to near insanity, and this is right after a divorce (or death), so you're already weakened. So I'd recommend therapy strongly. It can help a lot.
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 217
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 1:24 pm: |
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I'm a newly single mom of two daughters, both under the age of 5, working full time in the city, while dealing with homeownership here in Maplewood. It's very, very challenging. I myself have been looking for an informal support group of fellow single parents (not therapy), but ironically the very fact that I am so incredibly busy has made it impossible to get together with anyone. My rare spare time is allocated to my kids and to the great friends who helped me through my divorce. So it's very hard to make time for anything. However, there is a group your friend could try in Livingston, run for women going through separation. It's more therapy-oriented than I want, so I'm not doing it. It's called Project Grow, run by the Jewish Women's Federation. They have a facility on Rt 10 in Livingston. She should check them out. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 538
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 3:36 pm: |
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It’s not so much the therapy that she would be looking for. She’s raised the child for over three years, works multiple jobs, and lives in a tiny one bedroom place. I was just wondering if there were counselors for the state or another mom could help her with any of the state assistance.
For instance I did a little research and found out that she could get help with daycare from the state. That would be a huge help, right now she gets help from family and friends but thinks that it would be better if there was a little structure in the child’s daytime activities. Unfortunately I couldn’t figure out how to file for this or what was needed. There was also some rent assistance that I couldn’t quite understand.
I would feel a little better paying my taxes if I knew that some of the money was going to help someone who was really busting her butt to make life better.
If she has to go down to Newark one day and stand in line after line it would be fine, but if she could ask a few questions first it would put her mind at ease.
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jfburch
Citizen
Username: Jfburch
Post Number: 1186
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 3:39 pm: |
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Programs for Parents has offices in Montclair and Newark and would have information about child care assistance. I think, but am not sure, that they themselves provide some subsidies to low income families. I don't have the numbers handy but they are in the book. |
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1555
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 3:44 pm: |
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I hope your friend is receiving, or has applied for, child support. Should she need to file a motion, the courts try to make it easy for her to represent herself, saving lawyer fees.
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 540
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 3:47 pm: |
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That's a whole diffrent issue Tom, that we won't go into here. |
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1556
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 3:51 pm: |
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Yeesh, I get the hint. Sorry to hear that.
I just received the papers for filing for child support. Hmm, I have a lot of homework to do.
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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