When you’re a single mom working to make ends meet, getting sick is not in the cards. Single moms and illness just doesn’t go together in the grand scheme of keeping food on the table. So what does a single mom do when illness strikes? It’s necessary to have a plan to handle the issue.

Single moms who are worried about what to do when they become ill can consider these options:

• Always have a back-up plan. Your child needs you to be healthy, but sometimes, you are just ill – period. So have a back up plan in case that happens. Plan on taking your child to daycare as usual, and just go back home and go to bed. If your child is in the daycare at your workplace, they will obviously be with you throughout your sick day, unless you can get a friend or family member to take care of them. Make any alternative arrangements as necessary.
• Have some money put away. Those sick days can take a toll on our paycheck, especially if you don’t have any sick days saved up. Try to put a bit of money away for one of those days when you can’t go to work, but you still need to put your child in daycare. It might not be easy to save up that kind of money, but it’s something you really should do for your own peace of mind.
• Be proactive. At the first sign of a sniffle or sore throat, start taking medication to combat it. Get more sleep if you can. When flu season rolls around, get your flu vaccine – it might not stop the flu, but it will definitely lessen the impact. And when you are sick, try to remember not to touch your child until you have washed your hands, and don’t do anything that could transmit the virus to your kids.
• Talk with your employer about how many sick days you have, and how you can accumulate more. If you can work overtime or in the evenings in order to accrue more sick days, that’s always a good idea. The more sick days and vacation days you have in the pipeline, the less of a worry it might be when you do become sick.
• If it’s your child that’s sick, make sure you have alternative arrangements for your child in case they can’t go to their regular daycare center. A friend or family member is a good bet, or other daycare centers that offer care for those children who are feeling under the weather would work as well. Talk with your employer and daycare provider about the options you might have if your child is dealing with illness, too.

As a single mother, you know how important health insurance can be. The last thing you want to happen is a medical emergency, and then have no money to pay the bills when they come due. Beyond the financial factor is the practical one — who will take care or your children and provide for their needs if an injury or illness sidelines you? It’s important to have insurance to cover any eventuality.

Having life insurance is very important, and most single mothers will opt for life insurance as soon as they are eligible for it through their workplace. Life insurance is much less expensive, however, then health insurance or disability coverage. Many parents will have life insurance but forgo the other, because they simply can’t afford to have that much taken out of their checks.

But can you really afford not to do so?

You can save on health insurance and disability by following these tips. They will bring your insurance rates down significantly:

Stop smoking. After at least one year of not smoking, your premiums begin to go down. The longer you go without smoking, the less you will have to pay in health insurance premiums. Besides that, the better your health will be, and the less likely you will be to get sick.

Stay healthy. Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight under control. Exercise regularly and eat plenty of fresh veggies. Take all medications as prescribed, and don’t miss your doctor’s appointments. The healthier you are, the lower your insurance rates will be, and you will be less likely to have to visit the doctor in the first place.

Get a group rate. Get your health insurance through a group rate, usually through your employer. The more people who opt for the group rate, the cheaper the rates are across the board. Don’t be afraid to look into other alternatives if your workplace seems to be stuck with a plan that costs an outrageous amount of money.

Make some lifestyle changes. Did you know extreme sports can send your insurance rates skyrocketing? Some insurance companies will even pull things like your driving record, and if you are a regular speeder, you are an insurance risk — and that means your rates go up. Keep up with reasonable lifestyle changes in order to bring those rates down.

Combine your insurance. Most states require insurance before you can drive your vehicle. Why not combine your insurance policies with one company and take advantage of the loyalty discounts? The more business you can offer the company, the less your insurance premiums will be.

Invest in supplemental insurance. Companies like AFLAC offer supplemental insurance that takes care of bills your regular insurance might not cover. If you have a mortgage, ensure that your insurance will kick in to pay the bills if you are sidelined by an illness. The more you plan for every eventuality, the better off you and your children will be.

Being a single mom is tough, and not knowing where to turn for help when you need it can be even tougher. This list of resources can help when you find yourself in a situation that seems to have no way out and no way to win.

Child Care. Pricey day care centers are not the only source of child care for working mothers! Church child care, daycare offered by colleges as part of their primary education programs, and private in-home care are all cheaper options than day care centers – and probably offer more interaction for your child as well.

Transportation. Public transportation vouchers are often available to those who qualify. You can also get help with transportation costs through your local Department of Human Services. Some states offer “first wheels” plans where you can get a vehicle if you find a job that requires the use of one. Each state offers something different, so look into the DHS guidelines to figure out what you need to do to qualify.

Housing. If you find yourself falling behind on rent and facing the threat of living on the streets, call your local HUD office. Ask for assistance with housing and get on a waiting list for government-sponsored apartments. You can also talk to your local shelter about ways to keep your family safe, warm, and intact while you figure out your housing situation.

Child Support. Once a child support order has been issued by the court, the child support office takes over. You can help the process by making certain the office is aware of everything you know about your child’s father, including his current location and place of employment. Even the smallest bit of information can help them find a man who is on the run from his responsibility.

Think you can’t afford to pursue child support? Think again. The child support office can help you in obtaining DNA testing, court orders, and other things that are necessary to establish paternity, and then they can help you pursue him until the child support is paid.

Food. Emergency food stamps are available for those who suddenly find themselves in a difficult situation. Food banks are available to bridge the gap between those times when food stamps are plentiful and when they are not, usually that period at the end of the month.

“Angel Food” is a service provided to everyone, regardless of income. It provides enough food for a family of four for one week at a very low price, and the angel food organization does accept food stamps. It’s one of the best discounted buys you will find anywhere. Check with your area churches to find out which ones support the Angel Food program.

Medical. Your local health department is available for basic health care, including flu vaccinations, pap smears and pelvic exams, and some prenatal care. Your health department can also provide some prescriptions for general reasons, as well as a wide variety of services for your children.

“Angel clinics” are medical offices staffed by volunteers. These clinics offer more in-depth care and help with prescriptions, especially for chronic illnesses. The pay fee is on a sliding scale, and if you are receiving government assistance such as food stamps, you might not have to pay at all. Not all communities have an angel clinic, but it’s definitely worth finding out if there is one in your area.

The acai berry has recently been at the forefront of the weight loss nutritional product market. People claim that this tiny fruit can literally melt pounds away from your body. Others claim that the nutrient has healing powers, even claiming it can cure cancer. Just what is the acai berry, and is it something you should be adding to your diet, or is this just a bunch of hype over nothing?

The acai berry is a berry that grows wild in the Amazon rainforest. The native people of this region have used the berry throughout their history, believing it to have healing powers and the ability to enhance health. The deep purple berry is, in fact, quite healthy. Like blueberries, it is full of antioxidants. This is part of what contributes to the apparent health benefits of eating the berry.

Acai berry is also full of compounds called anthocyanins. This is believed to support heart health. These are also found in red wine, but are in far higher concentrations in the berry. The anthocyanins combined with the antioxidants in the berry also cause it to slow the aging process.

Like most fruits, acai berries are full of fiber. They also contain quite a bit of protein, as well as omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, which also help keep the heart healthy. Some advocates of these berries believe that these essential oils also reduce cholesterol.

These are all excellent health benefits, but what most people want to know is whether or not this “super fruit” can help them lose weight. It does appear that acai berry boosts metabolism, which causes an individual to burn more calories than normal. Also, the added fiber in the fruit will help you to feel full faster while eating less, and the antioxidants can help reduce cravings for non-healthy foods.

Simply taking acai berry will not cause you to lose weight. You will still need to lower your caloric intake and increase your caloric burn. However, the added boost that the berries will give to help curb cravings and keep you feeling full will not hurt your weight loss efforts.

You will find it difficult to buy pure acai berries to eat like you would blueberries. These berries have just a little bit of edible flesh surrounding a huge seed. The best way to consume the berry is in a supplement, either a powder or capsule made from the powder, or in a juice. Many holistic doctors recommend drinking a small glass of pure acai juice every day for optimum health.

Toddlers are difficult people. They do not like to eat healthy foods, no matter how hard mommy and daddy try. Most parents of toddlers wonder what they could be doing to help their little ones eat a better diet. Here are some tips to help your toddler eat as healthy as possible.

First, model good eating. Your child is not going to want to eat his whole grain toast and oatmeal while you eat chocolate chip pancakes. When your little one was a baby you could get away with eating junk food in his presence, but he is aware of the differences now. This is the time to get over your notions about foods you do and do not like and start eating healthy. You just might lose a few pounds in the process.

Second, be careful what you offer. Your child is not going to let herself go hungry. If she chooses not to eat what you offer, that is fine. Do not force her to eat it, but do make sure that the next snack or meal is equally healthy. Your child will soon learn to eat what is offered, because nothing better is going to come later.

Keep meals balanced, but do not focus too much on how much your child eats. If all your child wants for dinner is the bun that is on his plate, let him eat the bun, but do not give him a second bun if he is still hungry. Let him know that he can eat the other food on his plate.

Remember that you will have to introduce a new food multiple times before your child will even taste it, if your child is like most toddlers. While wasting food is discouraging, particularly if you are shopping on a tight food budget, you need to understand that this is part of teaching your toddler about good eating. Throwing away a few plates of food is a small sacrifice in return for a raising a child who eats well into adulthood.

Keep meal and snack times consistent. A toddler needs three full meals and two small snacks in order to get adequate nutrition. However, do not let your child fill up during snacks. Keep them small and healthy, but make sure that the majority of his nutrition comes at mealtime.

The biggest tip towards helping your child become a healthy eater is to be consistent. Soon he will no longer be a toddler, and these mealtime struggles will be a distant memory. Avoid creating conflict, model good eating, and give your child healthy foods. He will learn to like them.

As soon as you announce that you are pregnant, well meaning friends and family members are going to start telling you what you should not be doing. As you reach for a slice of chocolate cake, someone is bound to mention that you should be limiting sweets and caffeine. When you walk in the door of a Subway, a complete stranger may feel the need to tell you that lunch meat is a no-no. how are you supposed to know what you can and cannot eat, especially when your doctor may not see you until you are two months along?

While there are some foods that you should avoid while pregnant, most things are OK. In fact, there will probably be more foods that you have an aversion to than foods that are banned. Always discuss your concerns with your doctor, but here are some of the foods the American Pregnancy Association recommends expectant moms avoid.

Some of the biggest problem foods are raw meats and eggs. Undercooked meats and sushi are to be avoided. The risk of toxoplasmosis is the most dangerous, but salmonella and coliform can also cause problems for both mom and baby. Make sure your food is cooked well while you are pregnant. This is not the time to mess with potential food poisoning!

Deli meat is a new no-no for pregnant women. While it should be safe, some deli meats are not handled properly, and they become contaminated with Listeria. Listeria will cross the placenta, and it can cause miscarriage or pass an infection on to the baby. Deli meat is OK if it has been reheated until it is steaming. So a toasted sub is fine, but a cold cut sandwich is not.

Another source of Listeria is smoked seafood. Lox, kippered, nova style, or jerky seafood should be avoided. However, canned varieties are fine. Avoid the smoked seafood that is found in the deli section of your grocery store. Soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk are also sources of Listeria. Avoid cheeses like Brie, Feta, Gorgonzola, and Mexican style cheese.

Mercury has been a controversial problem for pregnant moms. Mercury has been contributed to developmental delays and even brain damage in unborn babies. Mercury can be found in tilefish, swordfish, king mackerel, and shark meat. Some women have been told to avoid canned, chunk light tuna while pregnant, because it can contain mercury. However, the experts agree that 6 ounces a week of tuna is not going to be a problem because the mercury amounts are trace.

Finally, avoid drinking alcohol, and limit your consumption of caffeine. Both of these will cross the placenta, and new studies indicate that caffeine in early pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage. Some caffeine is not a problem, but don’t overdo it.