Single mothers head 854,614 Australian families. Single mother headed households are also the family structure most likely to live in dire poverty in Australia.

Single mothers head 854,614 Australian families. Single mother headed households are also the family structure most likely to live in dire poverty in Australia. Too often we are left to fall through the gaps. We are a part of every community; we are your sisters, your neighbours, your friends, your colleagues. We share the same hopes and aspirations for our children as partnered parents, but are so often left battling layered challenges of disadvantage in financial, physical and mental wellbeing.

Since 1969, Council of Single Mothers and their Children (CSMC) has been supporting and empowering single mothers and fighting for changes to systems, services and community attitudes. Run by and for single mothers, we know more than anyone the difficulties single mothers face when attempting to support their children and themselves.

Many single mothers and their children are survivors of family violence and a staggering 37% are living below the poverty line. Each year CSMC receives over 2200 contacts from single mother families seeking support, information and referrals to assist them with often basic human needs. While we welcome their bravery in reaching out, it pains us to see their needs unmet by the system around them.

There is so much for single mothers to consider, too often on their own: affordable housing, income security, family law, child support, family violence, parenting support, flexible employment and study.

There is so much for single mothers to consider, too often on their own: affordable housing, income security, family law, child support, family violence, parenting support, flexible employment and study. Yet so many are left choosing between having enough food for themselves or turning the heating on to keep their homes warm. These choices disproportionately affect single mother families.

In the current cost of living crisis, many mothers aren’t able to keep up with their expenses. Managing what they can on part-time jobs or insufficient government support, many still find themselves falling further into poverty despite these efforts. Single mothers are determined, resilient and dedicated, but there is only so much they can do by themselves. Support is available - they just need to know how to find it.

Starting March 21 - International Single Parents Day - we are teaming up with Sassy Yoga for the Sassy Yoga Challenge, where you can show your support for mothers parenting solo by coming together to do 15 minutes of yoga every day for seven days.

Starting March 21 - International Single Parents Day - we are teaming up with Sassy Yoga for the Sassy Yoga Challenge, where you can show your support for mothers parenting solo by coming together to do 15 minutes of yoga every day for seven days. It’s a simple act of solidarity, but we hope this event can raise awareness of the issues facing single mothers today and promote the work that we do at CSMC so that these women know they don’t have to go it alone.

Participants who register will be emailed a link to each day’s 15-minute yoga session the night before, and you can complete the session at a time that suits you - like single mothers, we know you need to be flexible (both physically and with your time!). We hope people across the CSMC and TCP communities will join us in the challenge this year and help raise awareness for the amazing, resilient women who show up everyday for their families and who need our support now more than ever.

We've created some great social media tiles that you can use to promote the Sassy Yoga Challenge 2023.

Help us get the word out; to single mothers, their friends and allies, to your networks or your employees, and support the work of CSMC.

Register on our event page: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sassy-yoga-challenge-2023-tickets-529821740087