Now I know this website offers personal advice regarding your finances as a single mom, but today I thought to change things up a bit and give some basic book suggestions. There is more to life than stressing about finances. Reading is a great way to feel better about life.

As a single mom a lot of your time will be occupied taking care of and raising your child. The range of leisurely activities you are able to partake in, may be limited, as children demand a lot of attention. And finding a babysitter just to go swimming or to the movie theatre may not be in your budget, as well as being a lot of bother. One activity that has stood the test of time and will allow you to escape for an hour or two, is reading. I will talk about books for single moms as a great way to relax whether the kids are in the house or not. Some of these books can be a good guide to help you get on track with your finances, and others are for pure entertainment.

Entertainment Books

Romantic novels have long been a favorite amongst women whatever their marital or social status. The types of romantic novels vary from the classic contemporary romance, to historical fiction. Erotic novels are very popular among those who want a little more explicit fantasy than the standard romance story provides. The demand for erotic fiction has made authors like Jackie Collins best sellers, with her tales of lust and violence set against a Hollywood backdrop. Of course, thrillers, crime stories and Sci-fi are just as popular amongst women, and when the right book is found, they can be extremely hard to put down!

Self Help Books for Moms

Self help books about being a single mom are popular for mothers who feel they need some tips for when things get hard, or simply to improve upon their parenting skills. Many of the books are written by single mothers with first-hand experience. ‘From one single mother to another: Heart lifting encouragement and practical advice’ by Sandra Aldrich is an example. Other good books to pick up may be ones that pertain to your particular circumstances, such as death of a partner, or divorce. These books aim to give the single mother encouragement as well as advice and can be invaluable to keeping spirits up.

Books for Your Kids

Getting into the habit of reading is a great example to pass to children. As you take time out to snuggle into a book, encourage your child to pick up a book too. Kids can sometimes be too distracted by the internet or TV to realize the charms of reading, but try to get them into the habit. Create a quiet time during the day where you both read a book. The range of children’s books is extensive. They range from toddler to teenage. Reading from a young age helps with literacy skills such as vocabulary, grammar and spelling which are invaluable in the child’s academic future.

The great thing about books is that they are obtainable for free if you go down to your local library. The amount of time you and your children can borrow books for will depend on the library, so check with them first. If your spare time is limited or you are a slow reader, then don’t fret as most libraries allow you to renew a book if you are not finished with it in the initial time allowance. You can even ask the librarians if they can direct you to non-fiction books for single moms to assist you on your search.