We all know Single Parents. Whether they are part of our family, church, or city, here are 17 ways you can reach out to single parents.
17 Ways to Reach Out to Single Parents
A little over forty years ago, a single, young woman was about to give birth. She didn’t know how to afford a child without her parents’ help. She hadn’t talked to her former boyfriend in months. She couldn’t reach him, didn’t know how to tell him she was having his child.
This young woman attended church some, yet her dialogue with God was stilted. How could God let this happen to her? What would her life be like now?
A baby girl was born, and upon holding her child this young lady knew things would be OK. Perhaps this baby was a gift, not a burden as she supposed.
This woman raised her daughter the best she could, and while she wanted to give her child more than she had . . . history has a way of repeating itself. When the daughter became a young woman, she found herself in the same situation — living at home, pregnant, and scared.
The daughter knew she could raise this child. After all, her mom had done it. But what would her life be like? How could God let this happen to her?
If you haven’t guessed already, I was the daughter born to a single mom, and as a teenager became a single mom myself. At age 17, God gave me a son. My boyfriend was out of the picture, and I faced raising a child alone with little education, no money, and, maybe according to the world, little hope for my future. I know what it’s like to be a young, single mom, and what made a huge difference in my life. Here are some ways you can reach out to a single parent:
1. Free childcare.
A Moms’ Day out is greatly needed! You should know that these moms, especially teen moms, may have a hard time leaving their children. Outline for them as clear as possible who will be watching their kids, what type of childcare experience they have, and what activities will be done. Many young moms have been hurt in the past in numerous ways and they are very sensitive when it comes to their kids.
2. Guy Events.
Many children of single parents don’t have positive male role models in their lives. Activities for guys to do with kids–fishing, an obstacle course, Lego building, etc. would be a huge blessing for these moms. They understand this need in their kids and feel bad because of it.
3. Car clinics.
Many single moms don’t have someone to help with maintenance stuff like checking the oil, checking the tires, checking the windshield wipers, etc. And cleaning out/detailing the car would be a huge blessing, too.
4. Expert advice.
Do you have experts who could help them with advice?
- Legal (custody stuff)
- Resume building or job training
- Parenting tips or help
- Cooking simple meals
- Reading the Bible
Pass out a questionnaire ahead of time and find out their needs.
5. Necessity kits.
Many moms struggle with money. Kits you can put together.
- First aid kits
- Cleaning kids
- Spice cabinet basics
- Toiletry kits
- Home “office” kit: calendar, stamps, pens, tape, stapler, etc.
- Kitchen towels and potholders
6. Christian books and resources.
Again these are “splurge” items they’re not able to buy for themselves.
7. Craft time!
Single moms often don’t have time to sit down and have fun. Create a craft event where they can sit, make something cool, and chat with others.
8. Gift cards
Give them a gift card for dinner out at someplace other than McDonald’s.
9. Gas cards.
They often get stuck at home because they don’t have enough money for gas.
10. Christian music.
They often don’t know it exists, but find it uplifting.
11. Toys-R-Us or Walmart gift cards.
So they can buy something nice for their child’s birthday or a holiday.
12. Home improvement projects.
Mowing the yard of a single mom, or putting together a set of bunk beds is a huge help.
13. Offer a mini-vacation.
This takes more work, but moms often don’t get a chance to get away. Does someone you know work at a hotel chain where you can get a discount on a hotel room? Or does someone have a vacation home or timeshare nearby?
14. Invite her to your house for dinner.
She’ll be happy and shocked!
15. Free haircut, manicure, or massage.
… from a professional! Being pampered is something they usually don’t have the time or money for.
16. Kids haircuts.
This is a huge help to her, too!
17. Birthday cakes.
Do you have someone who can bake a birthday cake for her birthday or her child’s?
Download the FREE printable of how you can reach out to single parents today!
You might also be encouraged by the book Walk it Out:
Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time
Women often pack their lives with family, friends, and faithful service, yet still end up feeling empty and unfulfilled. In Walk It Out, Tricia Goyer demonstrates to women that walking out the mandates of Scripture allows God to spark passion and mission within them.
Whether believers realize it or not, God intended for them to do what the Bible says: adopt the orphan, take the gospel into all the world, and care for the needy. These are mandates that point believers down the path of true living and eternal life.
Sometimes those steps are easy, but many times they require a move outside of what feels safe or secure. When women stop focusing on their own dreams and purposes and instead focus on God’s dreams and purposes, everything changes. Check out the book Walk it Out by Tricia Goyer
