Surviving Hard Times as a Single Parent: The Unseen Struggles

*In collaboration with.

Being a parent is a constant juggling act, but being a single parent? That’s an entirely different level of complexity. It’s carrying every emotional, physical, and financial burden on your own, knowing there’s no one else to take over when it all feels too much. As a single mother to my 9-year-old daughter, Alyssa, I know this reality all too well. And with the cost of living skyrocketing, it feels like the world is holding its breath, waiting for me to falter.

For years, I’ve prided myself on making ends meet. I budget down to the penny, search for the best deals, and try my hardest to ensure Alyssa never feels the pinch. But lately, even my most meticulous planning has been no match for rising inflation. Prices are climbing faster than my income, and I’m left wondering what more I can cut back on.

There are days I feel like I’m constantly saying “no” to her—not because I want to, but because I have no choice. “No, sweetheart, we can’t get that today.” “No, not this month.” It breaks my heart to watch her little face drop, though she always does her best to understand. Just the other day, she asked me why we don’t use the heating as much anymore, and I had to explain in a way that didn’t scare her but still made sense.

When I think about how many single parents are in this same boat, my heart aches. These aren’t just numbers or faceless statistics—these are parents like me, making the impossible decisions we swore we’d never have to make. Last week, I spoke with a mum from Alyssa’s school who told me she had to stop buying fresh fruit for her kids because it simply didn’t fit her budget anymore.

For me, I’ve been cutting back on my own essentials. Cheaper brands of coffee that in now way taste of coffee, stretching toiletries far beyond their usual lifespan, and telling myself that things like new shoes or a winter coat for me can wait another month—or two. Every penny I save goes towards Alyssa’s needs: school supplies, healthy meals, and keeping the roof over our heads.

The worst part? The guilt. The gnawing feeling that I’m not doing enough, even when I know I’m doing everything I possibly can. I worry about the long-term effects this financial strain might have on Alyssa. Will she notice how tightly I’m holding it all together? Will she remember the Christmases where the presents were fewer, or will she see only the love I’ve poured into every sacrifice?

Despite these challenges, I’ve learned to lean on resources that offer money advice and support. Charities and online forums have become lifelines for finding budgeting tips and learning about schemes I didn’t even know existed. I’ve connected with other single parents who remind me that resilience isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about waking up every day and trying again.

To other single parents out there: I see you. I see your late nights spent balancing bills and your early mornings spent packing lunches. I see your sacrifices, your tears, and your triumphs. We may not have all the answers, and we may not have the financial stability we need right now, but what we do have is determination.

For Alyssa, and for every other child depending on us, we keep going. Because that’s what single parents do—we rise.