15 Practical Ways to Help Single Moms as Fatherless Kids Go Back to School

Preparing children to go back to school is exciting. Moms are undoubtedly ready for routine, and the kids are excited to see their friends. For a single mom in the early stages of grieving the loss and support of her husband, there might be a variety of emotions. This time of year can be particularly stressful for her, as the list of required school supplies adds pressure to her already tight budget, compounded by the numerous responsibilities she has to manage alone.

However, the back-to-school season offers a wonderful opportunity for friends, family, and the body of Christ to come together and provide support.

Here are some practical ways you can help ease the burden for a single mom as she prepares her children for the return to school:

Physical

• Organize a support squad for the first month
• Assist with rides to extra-curricular activities
• Set up a meal train
• Prepare freezer meals
• Offer mentoring for her teen(s)

Financial

• Purchase school supplies
• Provide their school clothes/uniforms
• Pay for tutoring or offer to tutor if that is a skill you possess
• Bless the children with shoes for sports
• Send gift cards for dining out or to pamper her

Prayer

• Pray for their protection:

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” (Psalm 82:3 NIV).

• Pray for wisdom:

“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace” (Isaiah 54:13 NIV).

• Pray for healing:

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 ESV).

• Pray for joy:

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19 NIV).

• Pray for their trust to be placed in God:

“Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me” (Jeremiah 49:11 ESV).

Thank you for caring for the widow and fatherless – this is pure religion (James 1:27).