IF YOU ARE A SINGLE PARENT..WHAT "GIFT" GIVEN TO YOU ECONOMICALLY, WOULD MAKE YOUR DAY? (can be a PERSONAL gift OR general gift for you and kids etc)

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Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#1
As some of you know.i was a single mom to 4 kids most of my adult life..for years I've had single parents /unwed mother's on my heart for years..if I had the resources I would open a home for them..however..there's a woman in my small group at church that's a single mom to 3 kids..I can relate and I really want to do something special for her /them but it can't cost much..anyone seen the movie MOMS NITE OUT ..came to mind..lol..I don't know details bout the lady so I'm putting it out here on CC..help?
 
M

Miri

Guest
#2
I’m don’t have children. But im a carer to my elderly aunt for
over 6 years, she has multi health problems and can’t do much for
herself any more. She needs all her needs met at day, plus checking on
during the night.

I would have thought the best gift was one which would regularly free up
some time, maybe child minding while she does her own thing once a week or
once a fortnight. Or while she goes to a small group meeting or a church meeting etc.

One off “gifts” aren’t that special as they are soon over and done with
and then it’s back to the drudgery.

If she has a garden, offer the help with the gardening once a month.
Maybe once a fortnight take over a home cooked dinner for them all
which just needs reheating.

Or even offer to do a bit of cleaning on a regular basis etc. Or even offer to
have the kids during school holidays every so often.

It might be that family or ex’s already help out at weekends etc.

You are best asking the person rather than guessing, as what you think would
help, might not help much at all. Better still, get to know her. If someone who
doesn’t know you offers to help, it can be a bit weird as how do they know you
are trustworthy and capable if neither of you know each other.
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#3
I’m don’t have children. But im a carer to my elderly aunt for
over 6 years, she has multi health problems and can’t do much for
herself any more. She needs all her needs met at day, plus checking on
during the night.

I would have thought the best gift was one which would regularly free up
some time, maybe child minding while she does her own thing once a week or
once a fortnight. Or while she goes to a small group meeting or a church meeting etc.

One off “gifts” aren’t that special as they are soon over and done with
and then it’s back to the drudgery.

If she has a garden, offer the help with the gardening once a month.
Maybe once a fortnight take over a home cooked dinner for them all
which just needs reheating.

Or even offer to do a bit of cleaning on a regular basis etc. Or even offer to
have the kids during school holidays every so often.

It might be that family or ex’s already help out at weekends etc.

You are best asking the person rather than guessing, as what you think would
help, might not help much at all. Better still, get to know her. If someone who
doesn’t know you offers to help, it can be a bit weird as how do they know you
are trustworthy and capable if neither of you know each other.
Good ideas..thank you..maybe this will all broaden in my church as well :)
 
L

LittleMermaid

Guest
#4
How about asking if her kids need anything for school because you would like to help her out.
Freeing up her time sounds like a good idea too.
Be her friend. Since you both are single moms you know each other's struggles. Maybe ya'll could hang out sometime. When my mom was a single mom, it was hard for her to make friends outside of work. I think a friend at church would have been nice and helpful for her. :)
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,016
93
#5
Something that has meant alot to me as a single mom is the words of encouragement so many people give me.
If you see her doing a great job as a single mom, maybe you could write her out a little card and let her know?
I know (and I'm betting you do too!) that we can be really hard on ourselves and feel like we aren't giving our kids everything we would like to! Having someone say 'I think your doing great!' can make our day.
I'm also a fan of giving something anonymously. A little gift card, pair of earrings, bracelet... What have you. :)
Keep us posted on what you decide! :)
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#6
How about asking if her kids need anything for school because you would like to help her out.
Freeing up her time sounds like a good idea too.
Be her friend. Since you both are single moms you know each other's struggles. Maybe ya'll could hang out sometime. When my mom was a single mom, it was hard for her to make friends outside of work. I think a friend at church would have been nice and helpful for her. :)
I've thought of sending her a coffee mug of flowers to her work with $10 gas card..going to movies with her n paying for her ticket..n yes..babysitting..don't know how old her kids are but I remember taking the kids to the daycare for half a day just so I could get errands n grocery shopping done in PEACE..lol
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,016
93
#7
I've thought of sending her a coffee mug of flowers to her work with $10 gas card..going to movies with her n paying for her ticket..n yes..babysitting..don't know how old her kids are but I remember taking the kids to the daycare for half a day just so I could get errands n grocery shopping done in PEACE..lol
All wonderful ideas!
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#10
All wonderful ideas!
I remember as a kid..if 8 yrs..I didn't have money to buy my mom a Christmas gift so I made a "booklet" of paper n yarn to hold it together..it was an I.O.U. book..with things that she could "cash in" on at any time...one was..I would clean the basement for her..another one was weeding the garden bed..another one was 5 hugs..etc...she loved it..like I previously said would LOVE for other people to get on board to help single parents..I could do babysitting for a day..another person could clean house..another person fix thier car..etc..I know these days it's not just limited to women being single parents..men are too..but the church is SUPPOSED to watch out for the widows ..elderly ..orphans etc...I'm certainly praying bout it! Could be a whole new ministry in the church...:) Some churches have this in place but a lot of single parents have a hard time asking for help of it could be embarrassing...etc..I'll let you know!
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#11
@TamLynn...how many kids do you have?

Btw..I'm ASSUMING much bout the girl at church..she MIGHT be getting some herty child support but that's more the exception than the norm..
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,016
93
#12
@TamLynn...how many kids do you have?

Btw..I'm ASSUMING much bout the girl at church..she MIGHT be getting some herty child support but that's more the exception than the norm..
I have one talented, amazing, beautiful, hilarious daughter. 12 years old. :)
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,016
93
#14
@TamLynn...how many kids do you have?

Btw..I'm ASSUMING much bout the girl at church..she MIGHT be getting some herty child support but that's more the exception than the norm..
Either way, I'm sure she'd appreciate your act of kindness! And perhaps you'd even make a lovely friend! :)
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#16
Either way, I'm sure she'd appreciate your act of kindness! And perhaps you'd even make a lovely friend! :)
Funny thing is..she kinda reminds me if Tommy..his dry sense of humor etc but I look forward to seeing her on Wednesdays....I could even bring snacks to group like cookies or something and send all the "left overs" home with her..God knows cookies are VERY UNSAFE in MY house..lol
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,016
93
#18
Funny thing is..she kinda reminds me if Tommy..his dry sense of humor etc but I look forward to seeing her on Wednesdays....I could even bring snacks to group like cookies or something and send all the "left overs" home with her..God knows cookies are VERY UNSAFE in MY house..lol
Another great idea! At my church we usually send whatever's left over to a family that needs it!
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,016
93
#19
That's a lot...I loved the years between 7-11 with the kids..lol
I'm the Manager at a Christian Child Care Center. (I've been there for 28 years!) I spend my days with 20 2.5-6 years olds. I get my dose of early childhood and preteen every day. I really do love it though!
 

Jewel5712

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2018
4,091
2,271
113
#20
I'm the Manager at a Christian Child Care Center. (I've been there for 28 years!) I spend my days with 20 2.5-6 years olds. I get my dose of early childhood and preteen every day. I really do love it though!
I've raised kids for 30 yrs .last one still in the house..have 1.5 grandbabies so..now I'm at a " different" stage in my life. Was 20 when I had my first baby...plus..being a youth group leader for years..time to find people my own age..lol