Today, I want to give a big shout-out to all mothers in the world, and particularly to all single mothers—or what I call “almost single” mothers.

What Is an “Almost Single” Mother?

You know who you are. Your situation doesn’t fit neatly into the categories society has created.

You’re not technically a single mother. The father of your child is still around—more or less. He’s technically the other co-parent, still the legal guardian of the child. But he’s not really around. Or he’s not super involved.

The Reality of Your Parenting Schedule

Maybe your arrangement looks like this:

• You handle all the everyday logistics, day in and day out, Monday through Friday
• You manage everything for two weeks at a time, and the dad comes in every other weekend
• The dad shows up once a month
• The schedule is inconsistent because he’s not in the same geographical area anymore
• He travels for work constantly, and this is just “the arrangement”

Every situation is unique, and every single mother makes the best decision for her child. As mothers, we are deeply concerned with:

• Our child’s safety
• Stability in their daily life
• Predictability and routine
• Security in one home
• Helping them feel rooted and grounded
• Ensuring they can rely on what they call “home”—not feeling perpetually in-between

The Work You Do

I want to acknowledge the mothers in this category. You’re not single mothers technically, but in reality, you do the work of parenting 90% of the time.

You are, for the most part, a single mother.

Money Cannot Replace Presence

Now, I’m not discussing child support here. That’s not the point.

No amount of money—no check that comes in the mail—can substitute for a fully engaged, active, proactive, accountable, and responsible other parent.

The money is helpful. It’s needed. And hopefully, at a minimum, the other parent does at least that much. But money is not a substitute for all the emotional and psychological labor that goes into almost-single motherhood.

The “Almost” Makes It Harder

I think “almost single motherhood” is a perfect metaphor for what you’re experiencing.

It’s “almost”—even though the hardship is exactly as if you were a single mother. But technically, you’re not.

Society’s Double Standard

Because you’re not officially single, society holds you to a completely different standard. The judgment comes from all sides:

“But you’re receiving child support…”
“But the dad still comes every so often…”
“You’re so lucky…”
“The child is so lucky…”

These comments miss the entire point.

The Infinite Commitment

The point I’m making here today is this: The amount of emotional labor, psychological resources, and commitment that these mothers have is infinite.

It is divine. It is biblical.

I have no words in the English language to adequately describe the commitment and giving—the level of sacrifice—that these mothers demonstrate every single day, day in and day out, at least until the child reaches a minimum age of 10 or 12.

This is what we have to do. This is the reality.

If You’re in a Different Situation

Perhaps you’re fortunate enough to be in a situation where your other parent—whether you’re happily married, divorced, in a high-conflict divorce, or whatever your circumstances—is responsible, collaborative, accountable, and proactive.

Maybe you’re genuinely sharing the parenting load 50/50.

If that’s you, I am so happy for you.

And I ask you this: Please support the mothers in your life who aren’t in that situation. Give them a hand when you can. They need it more than you might realize.

If You’re in the Other Category

If you fall into the “almost single mother” category—which is most often and most frequently the case—please hear this:

You Are Not Alone

You’re one of many. So many mothers are walking this same difficult path.

It’s Not Your Fault

You didn’t create this situation single-handedly. You’re doing the best you can with the hand you’ve been dealt.

You Need Support

And that’s okay. Needing support isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

Find Your Tribe

You have to find your own tribe. Maybe it’s small at first:

• One neighbor who understands
• Then two neighbors
• Then suddenly it’s the three of you helping each other

Look for communities outside your geography:

• Join a coaching group call
• Take a course on co-parenting or single parenting
• Invest in personal growth work
• Consider personal therapy
• Find online support groups with mothers in similar situations

You Are Not Doomed

Your life is not over. Your child is not doomed.

Your child will develop beautifully.

Yes, it’s harder on you than it would be in a different type of family structure. It’s undeniably harder on you.

But your child? With you as their anchor, their consistent presence, their loving guide—they will thrive.

Stay Hopeful

Please, please, please: Stay hopeful.

Stay trusting in your own capacity. You are stronger than you know. You are doing more than you give yourself credit for.

Do Not Give Up

Do not give up on yourself. Do not give up hope.

You can do this.

Better yet: We can do this together.

We are not doing this alone. I haven’t done this work alone—not in the past, not today, not in the future. I have a ton of support around me, and you can build that same support system for yourself.

Our Children Are in Good Hands

Our children are in good hands—with us, and yes, even with the other parent in whatever capacity they’re able to show up.

We can do this. But you need to know, deep in your bones: You are not alone.

If you need more support, reach out. Join our community of mothers who understand what you’re going through. Subscribe to receive weekly encouragement and practical tools for navigating almost-single motherhood with grace, strength, and hope.

You are seen. You are valued. You are enough.