Are you feeling financially hopeless? Even the smallest changes can make a big difference. Crown Financial Ministries has some great, FREE resources available to AllMomDoes readers – check them out here! You can do this, mom!
I sat on the bleachers and sighed. As I watched my little one participate happily in his special activity, I couldn’t help but overhear the other mothers.
One was talking about her family’s annual vacations to both Hawaii and Mexico. Another was lamenting over her difficulty in finding a full-time nanny suitable for her kids. The third was talking about her daughter’s activity schedule – sports and gymnastics and dance class and preschool.
Scrounging for money in the budget, I had signed my child up for one fun (and costly) event, but the activity I had chosen so my child could feel included left me feeling more sidelined than ever. I couldn’t relate to the other mothers at all.
I’m just going to say it. Parenting is easier when you have money.
That doesn’t mean that parents who have money are automatically good parents. Or that parents who don’t have money are crummy parents. Or that money buys happiness.
Of course not.
But, let’s be honest, having some financial flexibility does allow you to buy some great things that enhance one’s parenting.
You can sign your kids up for activities, filling the long monotonous days. You can hire a babysitter and go out on dates, strengthening your marriage. You can go out to dinner or one of those paint-and-sip studios with your girlfriends, enjoying a parenting break and developing deeper relationships. You can take family vacations to make long-lasting memories. You can buy fun craft supplies. You can get an annual pass to the zoo or local children’s museum. You don’t panic when your child brings home a school fundraising sheet or hesitate to accept a birthday party invitation because you have to buy a gift. And how on earth do you teach your child to swim? Even if you don’t pay for lessons, you still have to pay to go to a pool.
Sometimes it’s hard enough figuring out how to buy clothes and food for their rapidly-growing little bodies, and even a $5 Happy Meal to play at the Playland is out of reach.
It’s hard.
Sure, there are ways to provide all these things for your kids. You can get creative and swap date nights with other couples, shop consignment stores for cute clothes, plan fun park playdates, scrounge for deals, save money couponing, and see if you qualify for free preschool programs in your local area.
But all that takes a lot of work, effort, and planning. It’s easier if you can just buy what you want or need when you want or need it. Parenting is easier when you have money.
To the moms who have means, this isn’t meant to shame you. Because parenting truly is hard regardless of the size of your bank account.
But to the moms who feel the guilt of not having more to give their child, know this: You are not alone. It may feel like everyone else has more. It may hurt when you have to say no to that three-dollar activity. But believe that you are giving your child the best.
You.
Your kids will be fine. With or without all those extras. Because as long as they have a mom who loves them, they have what’s truly important.
Are you feeling financially hopeless? Even the smallest changes can make a big difference. Crown Financial Ministries has some great, FREE resources available to AllMomDoes readers – check them out here! You can do this, mom!
