As a single mom, you know firsthand how stressful it can be to raise your children on your own. You’re responsible for everything: earning a living for your family, making sure the household runs smoothly and taking care of your children’s needs.
The stress is bound to take a toll after a while. On top of that, you’re left with little (if any) time for yourself, making it even harder to cope.
Your Mental Health as a Single Mom
While these challenges don’t necessarily cause mental health issues like anxiety, they can put you at a greater risk. In fact, research shows that single mothers have higher rates of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Single moms face unique challenges
It’s no secret that being a parent is hard, even if you have a partner. With that being said, single moms have separate struggles on top of the traditional parenting challenges. Here are just a couple of examples of the issues single moms face that may contribute to stress and anxiety.
Pressure to do it all
As you know all too well, single moms face a ton of pressure. Sometimes, you might feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. After all, if you don’t pick up extra hours to make ends meet or pick your children up from school, who will?
All of this pressure can push your stress levels to the max. Your anxiety might make you worry if you’re being a good mom, or if you should be doing even more for your kids.
Little time to yourself
Being the only parent in the household means that you have hardly any time to yourself. In two-parent households, one parent might take over when the other needs a break. As a single mom, you don’t have that option.
We all need time to ourselves to unwind and recharge. When we don’t have time for self-care, we’re left feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Even if you do have a free moment, your anxiety might make it difficult for you to relax.
Challenges with co-parents
Having to deal with your children’s other parents can be tough, to say the least. Even if you have a relatively positive relationship with your co-parent, figuring out how to manage holidays, parenting differences, and pick-ups and drop-offs can be tricky.
All of this stress can put a strain on your mental health. You might worry about future conflicts with your co-parent or overthink every interaction you have.
Coping with anxiety as a single mom
While it can feel impossible to manage the stress of being a single mom, it’s important to prioritize your wellbeing. Working with a therapist can give you the support you need. Plus, online therapy can make it more convenient for you to get help.
If you think you might have anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified mental health professional. They can provide you with the guidance you need to cope with anxiety as a single mom.
Author Bio:
Kaylin Zabienski (LMFT) is an existential and humanistic therapist. Kaylin received her Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and her MA from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her work is rooted in openness, compassion, and safety, with humor and sarcasm, sprinkled in. She specializes in working with stressed and anxious women in their first few years of entrepreneurship to help them find the confidence they need to show up authentically. https://www.losangelesanxietytherapist.com/