Elderly woman shares her own experience to comfort overwhelmed newly single mom: 'You can do it'

Being a single parent is a full-time job with nobody to share responsibilities and it can feel exhausting. It is challenging for single mothers as they juggle childcare and work simultaneously. However, an elderly woman is helping young single mothers by sharing some tips that helped her back in the day. SJ Mendelson, a TikTok user, reacted to another woman's video in which she is in her car, weeping, and seeking advice as a "newly single mom." 

The 73-year-old talked about her story of how her husband left her in the 80s and she had to work hard to survive and take care of her son all alone. She explained, "In 1989, my then-husband left me and my 4.5-year-old son, and took everything. I had nothing. He took the bank account. He took everything." She had to start from "scratch" and started a job selling light bulbs. Moreover, she had to quit her acting career and not everything was a smooth sail for this single mother.

However, her hard work as a salesperson paid off and she was able to start her own company. There was a silver lining to all of this as she didn't have to give any fraction of her money to her ex-husband. She then shifts her attention to the mother in the original video and tells her that she can do it. Moreover, she shares that in times of need she bought secondhand furniture from Salvation Army but never allowed her son to suffer through anything. He is still her first priority to this day. 

Mendelson's comment area was inundated with messages of support and love. One user commented, "You Are An Inspiration to us all." Another added, "He did you the biggest favor. You wait and see… go for it girl!!" Some single mothers chimed in to share their stories of struggle. One TikTok user shared, "I did this 10yrs ago. I worked full time and was a student full time with two kids under four."

She added, "We slept in one queen size bed, had our clothes, little kitchen table and toys for my kids. I had hand-me-downs and saved every penny I could. I worked very hard for everything and I've built a home for us." Another commented, "You’re so inspiring to all the single mamas out there."

Some people who were raised by single parents also joined in the discussion. A user said, "My mom did the same!! We cannot allow ourselves to be weakened by the idea of being single or a parent. Life is beautiful, keep loving and growing." Another shared, "Way to go mama. my dad left us with nothing as well. we had no family to help. my ma worked 2 jobs. we didn't see her but the bills were paid. proud of you." 

In a subsequent video, Mendelson provided further advice for single parents based on her personal experiences. She said in the video, "Take care of yourself first. When you take care of yourself first, you can take care of your kid." She added, "Or take care of your kid first, and then take care of yourself." She went on to say that if she could provide for her kid and satisfy his requirements, she'd be okay. She further said, "As long as my son had food on the table and a roof over his head; he had a happy mama."

She also recommends single parents date themselves first. "I bought myself flowers. I took myself out to the movies when my son was with his father."