As single moms, raising our children with a sense of community is right up there with good values, a good education, or making sure our wee ones finish their broccoli at night. With strength beyond words, we have the innate ability to create a loving home for our little ones in any environment, but ahh, the hustle and bustle that is NYC! Teeming with activity and a palpable buzz of energy and life, our beautiful concrete jungle is a veritable self-contained support system, essential for life as a single mom. Read on to find out why!
1. If you’re looking for day care, you’ve come to the right city! Whether you reside on the island, or in one of the outer boroughs, you can find a plethora of quality care close to home or work—many larger companies even offer in house child-care, so there’s no need to schlep too far out of your way!
2. We’re always on the hunt for something enjoyable for our kids to do, and as the epicenter of child friendly fun, NYC offers no shortage of enriching entertainment and seasonal events for kids of all ages.
3. Like a little piece of country within our incredible city, the NYC parks here are plentiful—and the perfect place to check our phones while our kids enjoy themselves! Being a sane single mom calls for the occasional serene moment surrounded by nature, and although NYC is known for the gorgeous greenery that is Central Park, you can find a slew of them in all shapes and sizes, in every borough.
4. NYC = mom friends! Our lovely city is such a great place to be a single mom, or any kind of mom for that matter; you can find friends everywhere—at your children’s schools, at the supermarket, in the park, or simply walking down the street. Not that there’s anything wrong with living on a secluded farm in Iowa, but since I’ve moved to this city, I had the most supportive, I-know-exactly-what-you’re-going-through friends since high school.
5. No time to cook? No problem! Welcome, busy single mama—you’ve arrived at the land of restaurants. You will find any cuisine on the planet earth that you and your little ones desire in NYC. I mean seriously, there’s at least three places to eat on every block, and that’s just on the island Manhattan alone.
6. Our schools rule! Public or private, Universal Pre-K to College, the selection is vast, and while this can be a daunting factor for an already over booked single mom, it’s comforting to know we have all the resources we need right here in our city, to help us figure out the best education plan for our kids.
7. There’s nothing more important than the health and well being of our children, so it’s comforting to know that whichever way we decide to go for their pediatric care, we can find it in NYC. From medical doctors to naturopaths, and everything in between, you can find the choice of practitioner that’s just right for your child, and with busy moms in mind, many of them offer the flexibility of evening and weekend hours.
8. Keeping our kids well rounded and educated is a top priority, and in a one-parent home, much of the responsibility falls on our shoulders, so whenever possible, why not make their extra curricular learning experiences enjoyable for us as well? With over 90 museums, NYC is a cocoon of culture and information, and since we’re doing the work of two parents, we need all the help we can get!
9. Let’s face it, NY is a festive town. Every Holiday is cause for celebration in our great city, and no matter your religion or creed, you will find a place to be represented and recognized. There’s Holiday hoopla all around: things like beautiful decorations and lights to see, and festivities to attend and participate in, which can take some of the work off your overflowing single mom plate. Bonus: There’s no cleanup involved in your entertainment.
10. As a single mama, it’s likely all on us to make ends meet, and with thousands of businesses, New York City has more jobs to choose from than any other state in the continental US—in fact, it’s the number two city in the entire world for the most job opportunities. Not that it’s ever easy to find work if you’re looking, but better to be in a city with a tons of options to profoundly increase your odds of success.
11. Hmmm, where can we find a place where our kids have no choice but to give us a few minutes of peace and quiet before starting back in with ceaseless inquiries about the earth’s roundness and the sky’s blueness? The library, that’s where! With more than 200 NYC libraries throughout the five boroughs, there’s a place to find a second of silence just around the corner! Of course with all the new information they learn, there are sure to be more questions…
12. Let’s face it, raising children solo is akin to brushing your teeth with a mouthful of oreos while running a marathon…every day. Mamas need a break—and a good cocktail every now and then. What better place to find a great bar than New York? On the island of Manhattan alone, you can’t walk more than a few blocks without running right into one, so take a well deserved mommy moment to enjoy a glass of wine—stat!
For more fun in NYC, check out our list of the best family attractions and free activities for kids.