I often tell women who are going through a divorce; especially one that causes the pain Sandra Bullock is experiencing to distract themselves by staying busy.

What better distraction could there be than a 3-month-old named Louis? I’m thinking Sandra Bullock is going to be way better off with a little baby than a big baby. I can’t think of a better replacement for Jessie James than Louis Bardo Bullock?

I remember holding my boys when they were newborns. It was soothing, all seemed right with the world. Imagine the comfort and self-soothing effect Louis will have on Sandra during this sad time in her life.

Sandra has a lot of love to give, plenty of time on her hands and a hell of a lot more resources than most single mothers. Some will say that a new baby while going through a divorce is added stress during an already stressful time.

I would disagree. While going through my own divorce, my children saved my sanity. Having to focus on them and consider their needs distracted me from my own problems.

Her response in this week’s interview with people magazine when asked about Jesse James and the Nazi photo tells me that Sandra may have made a bad choice in whom to marry….”The photo shocked me and made me sad,” Bullock tells People. “This was stupid, this was ignorant. Racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, homophobia, anything Nazi and a boatload of other things have no place in my life.”  But she didn’t make a bad choice in deciding to become a single mom.

I love this! This is a woman who is afraid, sad and mothering a new baby on her own. Her self-esteem is high enough though that she is willing to face her fears alone rather than allow a “boatload of other things” in her life.

Sandra Bullock is better off financially that most of us single mothers but she has something we all can have that will get her through a hard time, she has backbone and convictions.

That is all any single mother needs when facing whatever life throws her way. Sandra and Louis, they are going to be just fine.

More Articles:

The Transformational Power of Emotional Pain

Parental Alienation: “A Uterus, Divorce Papers and Bruises”

Single Mom Worries: Am I Doing Enough?

Many single moms don’t realize the abundance of services available to them. Below is a list of resources you may find handy if you are experiencing economic difficulties.

1. WIC (Women Infant Children): WIC provides food and nutritional education for the expectant mother and then her child up to age five. This is an income based program yet the standard of income level is relatively high so a great number of people qualify. As any parent knows the price of formula that their infant needs can be staggering; WIC provides the parent with the means to support and nourish a growing child.

2. EBT (Food Stamps): The days of handing over a vast array of “coupons” or food stamps is over. There is now an EBT card which is much like a credit card. Depending on the amount that you qualify for money is appropriated to your account monthly. When you go to the grocery store to purchase food you swipe your EBT card, put in your PIN number and voila you’re finished!

3. AFDC (Aid To Family’s With Dependent Children): This federally funded program finically assists parents who have children under the age of 18 living in the home and be income requirements. The amount awarded monthly is based on the amount of income coming into the household. There is now, with current regulations a five year lifetime assistance policy. In other words if you receive aid from the program after the fifth year services will be shut off completely.

4. The Health Department: This service provides free of cost services for your child such as immunizations, medication for head lice, and much more. For the mother, Planned Parenthood provides regular pap smears and birth control. There are many more services that the Heath Department provides but is contingent upon your local office. Call your local office to see what other services are provided for you and your child.

5. Medicaid: Is a federally funded type of insurance for the low income family. With Medicaid you can go to the doctor if you’re sick or if your child is sick. Thankfully, this service also gives the benefit of visiting your local dentist and providing regular cleanings for your child.
With this wonderful service single moms with children with disabilities are often able to take care of their child.

6. Low Income Housing: Hud housing does not just assist first time low income home buyers. They also assist helping individuals find low income renting solutions in your local community. Visit Hud.com for more information as how you may qualify.

7. Head Start: Head start was created with the thought of giving an academic head start to the child of a low income family. Here your child will begin at the age of three learning the basics of reading, writing and math. When beginning kindergarten with two years of head start behind them the five year old fairs much better than those who had no “formal” preschool according to many statistics. Call your local chapter of head start and get your child on the path to a brighter future.

Make sure that when you call your local aid services you ask about college tuition, day care assistance, and help with electricity bills.