Why I Chose Teacher Life as a Single Mom (And Why It Fits So Well)

If you’re a single mom or a homeschool mom trying to figure out how to work, parent, and still feel calm at the end of the day, I’ve been there. When I lost my teaching job while pregnant, I was terrified. I didn’t know how I’d provide for my son or what our lives would look like. What looked like the worst moment turned into a path that let me be home with him, earn income, and later, return to the classroom in a way that finally felt aligned.

In this post, I’m sharing my path back to teaching and why it’s been a blessing for both my son and me. I’ll cover how I made it work during the early years, what brought me back to the classroom, the real benefits for single moms, and the hard parts no one talks about. If you’re weighing whether teaching could fit your life, I hope this inspires you!

The Layoff That Changed Everything

I was single and pregnant when I got laid off from my teaching job. It felt like the floor dropped out from under me. Then I laid eyes on my son and knew I wanted to be home with him. Losing my job, as painful as it was, opened a door I didn’t know I needed.

For 10 years, I pieced together work that let me stay home while still supporting us. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was ours. I kept him with me, I stayed present, and I made it work.

Here’s what that looked like:

• I nannied and brought him along.
• I served as a live-in house parent for homeless teen moms.
• I worked as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman.
• I pet sat and picked up odd jobs.
• I ran an in-home childcare program, Adventure Playgroup, for other homeschooling families.
• I started an interior redesign and professional organizing business.

Every job had one purpose, keep us together and keep us afloat. I chose work that let me stay home, or at least feel like a stay-at-home mom, while earning income.

The Year Everything Shifted

In 2022, my son was about to start fifth grade, and I was completely overwhelmed by our financial situation. There was zero stability. We were living in a renovated camper, which was exactly what I had wanted, but the reality was not ideal. Money was so tight. I was still running my redesign business while also dealing with family court. I was craving steady income and more stability.

I started applying for substitute teaching jobs and the morning after I submitted my application, a bubbly principal called and told me that I would be the perfect fit for their Lifeskills position and asked if I wanted to visit with my son.

We visited. I fell in love with the school. My son was honest with me too. He felt the financial stress and was ready for a change. He said, try it, Mom. And the rest is history, I made the leap back into teaching.

Why Teaching Works So Well for Single Moms

Teaching can be exhausting, but for the right season of life, it can be a gift. The built-in structure, the shared schedule with your kids, the school community, and the purpose behind your work are so special.

The schedule makes daily life manageable

This is the big one. The hours align with your child’s school day. In many districts, you can bring your child to the school where you work, even if you live in another district. You drop them off, start your day, and leave at the same time together. You also get holidays and summers off together.

There are some annoyances, like professional development days when your kids are off and you’re not. But many schools are flexible and let you bring your kids in. My son has helped me set up my room, label shelves, and organize supplies. It’s a small thing, but it creates sweet memories.

Structure supports mental health

I didn’t realize how much better I thrive with a clear routine. I’m pretty sure I have ADHD, and having defined start and end times helps me stay grounded. Summer break is great, but it can also feel too open-ended. I’ve learned to schedule early workouts to anchor my days so we don’t wind up relaxing until mid-afternoon.

The school year gives me rhythm. It gives my son rhythm too. That consistency matters more than I ever knew.

Small perks that add up

• Access to school meals: Some schools cover staff meals. Mine doesn’t, but eating in the cafeteria still saves time and mental energy. No packed lunch on those days is a win.
• Community support: You’re surrounded by other parents and coworkers who get it. When I was new, the cafeteria manager handed me an H‑E‑B gift card so I could buy groceries before I got paid. My principal gave me a gift certificate for clothes. Our social worker has offered winter coats when she knew we might need them. That kind of care is rare in other jobs.
• Built-in empathy: If your child is sick, people understand. If you need to bring your kid in on an off day, no one blinks. Teachers are often parents too, and it shows.

The work itself brings me so much joy

I don’t want more children of my own, but I still get to show up for little humans every day. My students and I call ourselves a school family. When I bump into former students at the store and hear, Miss K, it lights me up. We hug, we catch up, and I remember how lasting these bonds are. That feeling doesn’t come with every job.

The Hard Parts I Had to Learn to Hold

I won’t sugarcoat it. Teaching brings challenges, and as a single mom, you feel them.

The pay can be tough

Teachers don’t get paid what we should. Living in a city like Austin makes it harder. As a special ed teacher, I receive a stipend, which helps a lot. But at the start of the year, we don’t see that stipend for the first two months. Planning a budget with income that shifts is stressful.

Even with that, this is the most I’ve ever been paid in my life. It’s still not high pay, but the other rewards help balance it out for me.

The emotional weight is real

When you care deeply, you feel deeply. You see families with real needs. You hear stories about housing or caregiving struggles. You learn to hold pain with care. In my classroom, I haven’t had a case of student abuse, and I’m grateful for that. Still, the hard stories can follow you home.

The exhaustion is no joke

I work with three and four year olds. I adore them. They’re joyful, curious, and full of energy. They’re also exhausting. By the time I get home, my tank can be empty. There are nights I sink into the couch, phone in hand, while my son asks what happened. Some days are just a lot.

He’s older now, and likes being with friends or gaming, which eases the pressure a bit. We try to do fun things on weekends when I’ve had time to recharge.

Homeschool Roots, Classroom Life

I’ve been a homeschool mom, and I’m a classroom teacher now. I see value in both. I wish more homeschool moms would consider teaching because bringing that mindset into schools is powerful. There are practices from home that fit beautifully in a classroom, like child-led exploration, more movement, and hands-on learning. There are also systems from school that could help homeschoolers, like routines, clear transitions, and simple schedules that support focus.

I pull from both worlds. I infuse pieces of the home environment into my classroom to make it warm and calm. I use parts of classroom structure at home to keep life steady. Blending them makes both spaces stronger.

What Helped Me Make It Work

I’ve tried a lot, failed at some, and found a few simple habits that keep us steady. If you’re considering teaching as a single mom, here are the things that help me most.

• Plan for PD days: Keep a short list of trusted childcare options, or ask your school if kids can tag along. Many principals are flexible when they can be.
• Use the cafeteria: Even if you pay for meals, eating at school frees up morning time and mental bandwidth.
• Budget with the rhythms of the school year: If your district pays stipends, note when they arrive. Build a small buffer when possible during higher months.
• Anchor summer with a few non-negotiables: Early workouts, library days, or morning park time can keep open days from drifting.
• Say yes to help: Let the social worker, counselor, or a supportive coworker know when you’re stretched. Community is part of the job’s gift.
• Keep weekends simple: One fun plan, one rest block, one basic chore reset. That’s enough.
• Name what the work gives you: Purpose matters. On hard days, remembering the why helps me show up again with an open heart.

A Note on Money and Meaning

I wish teacher pay matched the value of the work. I also know that for me, the alignment with my son’s schedule, the school community, and the sense of purpose outweigh the financial drawbacks. That doesn’t mean money doesn’t matter. It does. I’ve built small side income streams to fill gaps and give us breathing room. Even a little extra can lower stress.

I also create tools for moms like us, so daily life feels calmer. My free cozy planner templates with daily routine pages are in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop. They help you build routines that stick, automate repeat tasks, and make family life run smoother. Little systems reduce stress in a big way.

Why I’m Staying

Teaching fits the way I’m wired as a mom. I get structure, shared time with my son, and a place to pour my nurturing energy every day. I get hugs, tiny breakthroughs, and moments in the grocery store where an old student spots me and beams. I also get tired, and sometimes I get home on empty. Both can be true.

If you’re a single mom or a homeschool mom wondering if the classroom could fit, I hope my story gives you courage. The work is hard. The impact and alignment with family life are unmatched.

Final Thoughts

If you made it this far, thank you for spending a few minutes with my story. Teaching gave me stability when I needed it most, and it gave my son and me a life that makes sense. If you want more peace as a working single mom, try simple routines, build a small support system, and consider work that shares your child’s schedule. Check out my cozy planner templates and resources to help you save time and build side income, so the salary piece doesn’t hold you back.

What would change for your family if your work and your child’s schedule finally matched? I’m cheering you on, and I’d love to hear your story.