My Single Mother Story
TellingYour Single Mother Story
Every single mother is unique. We come from a range of cultural backgrounds; work across all sectors and professions; and experience victories and challenges as individual as we are. Yet the tired old stereotypes persist.
My Single Mother Story is CSMC’s project that aims to smash that negative, two dimensional stereotype by shining a light on all the amazing individuals who make up our single mother community.
Elsie’s* story: one mother’s pursuit of a safe and secure future
After leaving family violence, Elsie worked to rebuild a safe future for her children. But years later, secure housing remains out of reach.
Yun Shu’s* story: when just getting by means missing out
Every parent wants to give their children opportunities to explore, learn and create lasting memories. Yun Shu shares how the cost of living and the challenges of raising children alone can make even simple experiences feel out of reach.
Anna’s* story: the impossible choices too many single mothers face
My goal was simple: to provide the best life I could for my beautiful children, aged four years and five months, as we began our new journey together. At the same time, I was trying to figure out how to heal myself.
A call, a chat, a fresh start
For Sandra*, it all started with a conversation at her local preschool. She was chatting with her local Member of Parliament about the lack of services for single mothers when he suggested she contact Council of Single Mothers and their Children. “I’d...
Remembering Ann Lodge
Ann Lodge: the single mother who challenged taxation legislation in the High Court CSMC is known for being an organisation that has delivered powerful advocacy and support for single mothers for 57...
Single Mother Wall of Honour 2024
We celebrated International Single Parents day by launching our Wall of Honour to pay tribute to all the amazing single mothers we know and have known! Congratulations to all the mums who were nominated – you can read the tributes, in alphabetical order,...
Two single mums, three kids, and an open road
Years ago, when I first went on a holiday with my baby daughter, my sister-in-law, also a mother, warned: “The thing you have to remember about holidays as a mother, Margie, is that it’s not really a holiday: it’s just transporting the chaos to a different...
Belonging: stories from CSMC members
When her local Member of Parliament recommended she contact the Council of Single Mothers and their Children, Sandra says she had never heard of the organisation. “Fifteen years later, when I look back, it feels like CSMC has played such an important role in my...
Sienna’s story
I hope my story can offer hope to other single mums who feel left behind. I used to love working. Before my daughter was born I worked as an administrative officer in a city accounting firm, a job I enjoyed and which provided me with a comfortable income. But that...
Carol’s story
For several years, lawyers and the Family Court were very present in my life. I became a single mother over ten years ago when my house was raided by the police and my husband (now ex) went to jail for convictions relating to child abuse material offences. I had no...
