A Letter to Solo Moms About Covid-19


A Letter to Solo Moms About Covid-19

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Dear Solo Moms,

At ESME, we know how hard it is to parent alone. Your stories inspire us every day. We’ve spent the last five years marveling at your tenacity and resilience as you juggle work and family, sacrifice sleep and self-care, struggle to afford healthcare and childcare, and take care of children with special needs or an elderly parent. Even if friends, bosses, and family don’t get it, here at ESME, we see the Herculean effort that’s needed to keep your children clothed, housed, and fed. Sometimes an abusive ex, a fight for child support, or a health crisis add to your burden, but you keep going, putting your own needs aside to make sure your children are OK. You are amazing!

Now Covid-19 threatens all your hard work and sacrifice. Even if you’ve somehow held it together emotionally and financially, this virus threatens everything. It’s scary and surreal. Politicians are saying, “We’re all in this together,” but there’s no denying it’s much harder as a solo mom. You might have to bring your child food-shopping and risk getting dirty looks, while worrying your child will be exposed to the virus. Every decision is up to you: Do you let sitters, extended family, or exes take care of your children? Do you continue to work, while risking getting sick or spreading the illness to your family? Maybe you are one of the 22 million Americans who lost their job and had to file for unemployment. How will you pay the bills? Who will care for your children if you get sick? This is an anxious time for everyone, but especially for Solo Moms, who already are stretched and scrambling.

We want you to know that we see you, and we hear you. Please know that you are not forgotten. We note your struggle and compassion for each other, and our hearts go out to you.

At ESME, we will continue work on your behalf by drawing attention to your well-being and survival. Solo Moms need better wages, job security, child care, health care, and assistance with food and shelter. We will also continue to make sure that there is a safe, confidential place for you to be inspired, get information, and connect with other Solo Moms. In addition to ESME.com, we have many Facebook groups where you can meet moms in your area who are facing the same challenges.

We wish we could give every one of you a hug—and, while we are at it, a fist bump for being such tremendously strong women who make our community unique, compassionate, and powerful.

Stay well, stay strong and be kind to yourselves!

XO,

Team ESME


Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions.


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