Why YOU Should Care About Single Moms
As a single mom living boldly in Colombia, I’ve faced challenges that tested my spirit—but they’ve also fueled my passion for life and inspired my eBook, Passport to Passion. If you’re a single mom feeling unseen or struggling to find your way, know that you’re not alone. My journey as an open-minded traveler and mother has taught me that resilience, hope, and community can light the path forward. Here’s why we should all care about single moms—and how we can lift each other up.
The Realities of Single Motherhood
Being a single mom isn’t easy, but it’s a journey of incredible strength. Here are some facts that highlight the challenges we face:
- Economic Hardships: According to Science Direct, “Single-parent families are disproportionately poor; in 2005, 28% of families with children and a female head-of-household and no husband lived below the poverty level” (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2002).
- Mental Health Struggles: A 2015 Single Parent Household Survey found that 20.2% of single parents experience depressive symptoms, with only 5.7% seeking professional help, leaving many to cope alone.
- Long-Term Impact: A comprehensive study from Sweden showed that children in single-parent homes are twice as likely to face serious psychiatric issues or addictions later in life, underscoring the need for support.
These statistics reveal the weight single moms carry, but they also point to our resilience and the importance of community support.
My Story: Finding Passion Amid Challenges
When I became a single mom in Colombia, I faced moments of doubt, financial strain, and isolation. I’ll never forget the night my son was born prematurely in a Pereira public hospital, my baby shower canceled as my water broke a day prior. The medical bills piled up, and my ex’s tears weren’t for our health but for the cost. Those moments could have broken me, but instead, they shaped me into the woman I am today—a writer, dreamer, and author of Passport to Passion.
Living abroad as a single mom hasn’t been easy. I’ve heard family say, “You’re so far away,” assuming life in Colombia is all chaos and struggle. But they miss the beauty: the affordable food that keeps us fed, the vibrant culture that fuels my writing, and the chance to raise my son in a place that teaches us both resilience. I chose to stay, to embrace this life, and to share my story through my eBook—a guide to finding passion in the face of adversity.
Why Single Moms Deserve Your Support
Here’s why caring about single moms matters—and how you can make a difference:
- We’re Building the Future: Single moms pour their hearts into raising the next generation. Every challenge we face shapes our children’s strength and compassion. Supporting us means investing in a brighter future for all.
- Choices Don’t Define Worth: Yes, I made choices—like trusting a partner whose values didn’t align with mine. But those choices led me to my son, my greatest gift. Judging us for our past overlooks the courage it takes to move forward.
- Stereotypes Hurt: People sometimes assume single moms, especially “gringa” moms like me, are either reckless or secretly wealthy. Neither is true. I’m a writer scraping by, finding joy in small moments like a café writing session or a family day trip. Break the stereotypes—see us for who we are.
- Feminism Isn’t Enough: The 21st century celebrates strong women, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need support. Single moms juggle countless roles with grace. A kind word, a listening ear, or a small gesture can mean the world.
- Family Matters: My mom moved to Colombia to help raise my son, sacrificing her retirement to support us. Her love reminds me that family—chosen or biological—can be a lifeline. If you know a single mom, reach out and show you care.
A Call to Action
Single moms are warriors, weaving passion and purpose into every day. My eBook, Passport to Passion, shares the lessons I’ve learned—how to embrace adventure, overcome obstacles, and live boldly no matter the odds. If you’re inspired, curious, or just want to connect, email me at openmindedtravel@gmail.com. Let’s build a community that uplifts every single mom and celebrates our shared strength.
Care about single moms because our stories matter. Our triumphs become our children’s courage, and our dreams—like those in Passport to Passion—inspire others to live fully. Reach out, listen, and let’s create a world where no single mom feels unseen.
A Call to Support Single Moms
As a single mom and open-minded traveler thriving in Colombia, I know the silent struggles we face—the moments we smile through the pain, praying to cover our bills while chasing dreams for our children. My journey inspired a story of self-love, safe dating, and building meaningful connections in a vibrant culture. I wrote it not just for me, but for every single mom who dreams big despite the odds.
If you’re a single mom, take a deep breath—you are not alone. Our struggles are real, but so is our strength. We chase our passions to show our children a better path, to teach them resilience and hope. I believe in a Heavenly Father who lifts us up when we cry out for strength, guiding us to be the heroes our kids need.
I dream of a world where single moms support each other. If I have the means, I’ll uplift others as I’ve been uplifted, using my platform to share their stories and services. You can join me in this mission. Here’s how:
- Share Your Story: Drop a comment below or email me at openmindedtravel@gmail.com to share your journey, struggles, or triumphs. Let’s build a community where every single mom feels seen and heard.
- Join the Journey: Dive into my vibrant story of self-love and cultural connection with Passport to Passion! Master safe dating in Colombia and unlock secrets to building friendships with locals. Grab your copy for just $6.99 until August 31, 2025—before it rises to $9.99! Get started at coffeetraveler.gumroad.com/l/LoveDatingGoodLivingColombia and live passionately today!
- Support Our Dreams: If my story resonates, consider becoming a Patron with as little as $5 a month. Your support helps me raise my son, grow my platform, and empower other single moms by sharing their talents and stories. Visit https://www.patreon.com/c/coffeeaxistravel to join us!
This is my heart laid bare—a single mom, a writer, a dreamer in Colombia, fighting for a brighter future. Together, we can show the world that single moms are unstoppable. Let’s lift each other up, one story, one dream, one Passport to Passion at a time.
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/single-parents
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6108495/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/single-parent-kids-more-at-risk/
- https://medium.com/publishous/the-demonization-of-single-mothers-345d8d3adb63
A'sa P
March 6, 2021 at 12:48 amYou did make your choice for better or worse. All women have a choice and unfortunately many dive into solo parenthood head first whilst wearing rose colored glasses. As the daughter and granddaughter of single mothers, both by already married men ironically, I decided to do myself and any potential out of wedlock child a favor while still quite young by being childfree. I didn’t go to college and graduate school just to throw my future away for nothing.
I do know who my sperm donor is and having personally experienced the extremely selfish, money/status obsessed, and volatile person he is want nothing to do with him. He isn’t a parent with any sense of responsibility or obligation, he is and was a genetic donor looking for a bit of fun. If my mother had used her common sense and made better choices in 1993 when she was around my age she would’ve saved herself and me the absolute displeasure of even the most fleeting presence of this sorry excuse for a man. But no instead she failed to use the brain, judgement skills, and good sense that the God she believes so fervently in gave to a rock and her life has been a struggle (mentally, physically, and financially) ever since. The only thing I can thank her for is showing me every possible reason to avoid single parenthood like the plague. It’s simply not worth the hardship.
Jessica
March 26, 2022 at 6:28 amIt’s nice to have it written out what I feel every day. I was married and had a business with my ex before I became a single mom. He would gladly take custody because it would save him child support but our son hates living with him so all of the daily responsibilities fall on me. Child support covers maybe 1/5 of our living expenses and so I need to work. But what no-one seems to know in the mainstream is that raising a healthy kid requires “presence” and that requires you to be available physically and emotionally, not at a job until dinner time. So I’ve had to fill my life with part time jobs. There is not enough money to buy a home so I’m shuffling my kid around to various rentals at the whims of landlords who like to kick tenants out periodically or force them into astronomical rents. Medical care for myself? Haven’t been to the doctor in a decade, there is NO time. I read a shocking study that said single mothers are 70% more likely to die young vs partnered mothers. No one cares.
Rob
April 22, 2023 at 11:04 amYou’re trash
Angela Meredith
July 26, 2023 at 10:56 pmIt’s true. No one cares about us. They should though, our children suffer because we are just one person. It’s exhausting, especially if you’re doing it right. I’m sorry you’re struggling, I am too. Thank you for writing this.
Jesse
February 5, 2024 at 10:00 amLmak no personal responsibility whatsoever. Blaming men for your bad decisions in life. It is not hard at all to tell what men are bad and who are good. I have given women advice about men being bad and they never listen. You can be left with your bad choices in life.