Single Mothers in Barnaul Share Their Struggles

In the modern world, where life throws many challenges, many women find themselves in a difficult situation—they have to raise children alone. This reality is becoming increasingly common, and despite the difficulties, thousands of mothers cope with this task with dignity. But do we ever think about what it«s really like for them? What trials do they overcome every day? The editorial staff of NGS22.RU decided to find out and spoke with several single mothers from Barnaul to hear their stories. We publish first-person accounts.

Marina, child massage therapist, 41 years:

I am from Barnaul, and my older son is already a teenager—he is fifteen. The decision to become a single mother for the second child was conscious, I was confident in my abilities. My profession as a child massage therapist allows me to count on a stable income, about 120,000 rubles per month (approximately $1,300 USD at current rates)—this, I believe, is a very decent amount for our Altai Krai. Now I live outside the city in Yagodnoye, Altai Krai with my parents.

I always wanted another baby. After breaking up with my first husband, relationships were difficult, and I admit that my hot-tempered character sometimes worked against me. Last year I made the decision to become a mother again.

I met a man online. I went to see him in Novosibirsk, but it quickly became clear that he was not ready for a serious relationship and children. When I found out I was pregnant, I long doubted whether I could manage alone. But the support of close people helped me make this decision.

The first months after my daughter«s birth were a real trial, as only I worked in the family. I had to return to work already after five months. I»m a bit ashamed to admit, but now I have almost no free time. Meeting friends has become something from a past life. All other joys now seem inaccessible. Even if I suddenly had free time, I certainly wouldn«t have the energy for them.

Polina, homemaker, 36 years:

— I am raising two girls alone. I was in a formal marriage with the father of the older child, but after the divorce, I deprived him of parental rights due to non-payment of alimony. I went through hell to get at least minimal payments from my ex-husband. Specifically to avoid providing for his child, he works unofficially. Moreover, he has a new family, and recently a child was born, and soon another is expected, so I completely don«t count on his financial help.

The younger daughter was born in a civil marriage. The situation with her father developed similarly, but I did not deprive him of parental rights. He himself shows no desire to communicate with the child. In difficult times, my retired parents help a lot, who recently gave us an apartment.

Our family never lived in extreme poverty and the children were clothed and shod (often from second-hand stores). I admit, I practically didn«t work, although I have an engineering education. Now we live on state benefits, which total about 40,000 rubles per month (approximately $421 USD at current rates). I try to fulfill the children»s wishes, for example, take them to attractions, parks, walk in the shopping mall, even this turns out to be an expensive pleasure. Sometimes I even manage to save money to at least please the children with something expensive on their birthdays. For now, I have to look for discounted goods, which allows somehow to make ends meet.

Elena, marketer, 40 years:

I am raising a 13-year-old son alone. My husband and I separated about 7 years ago. My income as a marketer is about 70,000 rubles per month (approximately $737 USD at current rates), sometimes with small bonuses. Unfortunately, I don«t receive benefits as a single mother since the total income for two exceeds the established subsistence minimum.

After paying for basic expenses—apartment, phone, internet, and groceries—almost nothing is left for life. I often face difficult choices in the store: buy meat or something for tea, understanding that I can«t afford both at the same time.

Close ones advise me to get married again. However, having experienced negative experiences, I prefer to remain alone, finding more peace in this. I have a suitor, with whom we meet once a week, and this format of relationship suits me quite well.

Olga, civil servant, 43 years:

I have two girls, one is already 18 years old, the other is in third grade. The situation is difficult, I recently went through a divorce with my husband due to his addiction to alcohol. My main concern now is a roof over my head.

Now we live in a two-room apartment that I inherited from my parents along with my sister. This, of course, is a great help, since many acquaintances have to spend significant funds on renting housing. However, there is another side to the coin: my sister also has a legal right to this living space.

Now my sister lives separately, but she makes it clear that she won«t tolerate this for long. She says that she understands the situation, but soon we will be selling and dividing the property, and you can»t buy anything for 2.5 million rubles (approximately $26,300 USD at current rates) now. I will have to take out a mortgage, although my salary is only about 60,000 rubles (approximately $632 USD at current rates). I can only rely on myself.

Anna, cashier, 36 years:

I was only 18 when I got married. Pregnancy was the reason, but I thought then that it was the beginning of a happy family life. We lived together for almost 15 years, we had a son. It seemed that everything was going its own way, but one day my husband decided to leave. For a younger woman. It was like a bolt from the blue.

The first year after the breakup was a real trial. And work didn«t go well, and housing was tight. But I knew that I had to cope for the sake of my son. Gradually life began to improve. I got a job as a cashier in a bakery, and over time I learned to bake myself.

Now my son is already grown, but financial difficulties haven«t gone away. The father pays alimony, about 10,000 rubles per month (approximately $105 USD at current rates). My salary is about 70,000 rubles (approximately $737 USD at current rates). This is only enough for the most necessary things. Renting an apartment eats up most of it, and my son needs clothes, he studies in college. I have to deny myself a lot to provide him with a decent future. It»s not easy, but for him I am ready for anything.