Disadvantages of Being a Single Teen Mother and How to Conquer Them

Help for Single Mothers and Mothers-To-Be through Single Mother Programs & Support Agencies

Disadvantages of being a single teen mother don’t outweigh the advantages of being a parent.  Teen motherhood is tough, and single parenthood makes it tougher.  But the right single mother support programs for disadvantaged teens and low-income teen mothers can keep you on the right track for stable parenting and a successful parenting journey.

Disadvantages of being a single teen mother can overwhelm some teens, but not all.  There are many single parents today that were the young teen parents of yesterday and have raised well-adjusted healthy children.  The moms in single mother support groups will tell you it’s better to wait than to be a teen mom, but few regret their decision.  The reward of watching a child progress in their journey to adulthood is far too rewarding, but the disadvantages of being a single teen mother can be overwhelming.

Conquering the First Disadvantages of Being a Single Teen Mother

Teen mothers are disadvantaged because they do not have the educational and financial background to logically support their child, and many do not have their license or transportation to look for jobs for single mothers or attend night classes at the local community college.  However, teen mothers have survived long before colleges were instituted in the late 1800s and long before the old Model-T hit the road. But every teen mom should have a strong support system.

 Family support gives you and your child the best advantage, but for many reasons, including child abuse and neglect, it’s not always possible.  One of the disadvantages of being a single teen mother is not having the income for housing and utilities.  There is help for single mothers through single mother programs and single mother subsidies that provide rental assistance, utility assistance, food stamps and medical insurance through single mother welfare programs such as Medicaid and TANF, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families welfare program.  These programs will provide you and your child with the bare minimum basics and costs for single mother pregnancy. 

WIC – Women’s Infant and Children – is a program for low income single mothers that provides formula and cereal for young children. Saving money on formula gives you money for diapers.  You can save a great deal of money on clothes by visiting a church clothing pantry and get free baby clothes for your child. Babies outgrow clothes fast – and it’s easy to find donated clothing. Contact your local churches, fire hall, Salvation Army or Catholic Charities for assistance. They can also refer you to places for more help in conquering the disadvantages of being a single teen mother.

Once you obtain the necessities of life, you have conquered the first disadvantages of being a single mother.  But TANF is temporary – and you will need more support.

Conquering the Second Disadvantages of Being a Single Teen Mother

Your child comes first, and your education comes second.  TANF, high schools, and Community Action Organizations have programs that help teen mothers complete their high school education in school, as a homeschooler, or through classes at a library or online to complete a GED.  With every degree, income will rise.  Take advantage of free training classes offered by the Department of Labor and TANF, and look for scholarships for single mothers and financial aid for single mothers.  Giving yourself an education is one of the best gifts you can give your child.

Disadvantages of being a single teen mother can be conquered with single mother support systems. Use these single mother welfare programs and support programs to get you and your baby on your feet and get an education. Become familiar with all of your local charities.  There are many women and single mothers that were once just like you.  Look for love and support. Charity and help will come from unexpected means.  With charity and education, the disadvantages of being a single teen mother will grow into the advantages of being a mom.

Resources for Single Teen Mothers:

One Stop Training Education and Job Assistance
Apply for WIC for Formula and Baby Food
List of State TANF Offices
Get your GED