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New book supports life as a single mother

May 15, 2018 | 12:00 PM

A new book is reminding single mothers to remember the good times with their children and to unwind after a long day.

Written by Wendy Mirasty, who is a Lac La Ronge Indian Band member living in Prince Albert, 52 Weeks of a Single Mother’s Love contains weekly reflections meant to get single parents thinking more positively about their family. Mirasty recently held a book tour with stops in La Ronge, Prince Albert and Saskatoon, which attracted dozens of single mothers wanting to learn more.

“During those book launches, they’ve asked some pretty personal questions which was OK because I’m a social worker too,” she said. “It opened a door for parents to ask those personal questions that are bugging them. I find that the book has been helping single mom’s reach out or start their healing process.”

The book also isn’t meant to be read all at once, Mirasty noted, as each page contains a topic to think of for that week. Once the reader thinks about the question being asked to them, they then write their answer on the space provided. Mirasty said the action of actually writing their answer on paper for them to see is an important step in the process.

Mirasty said she was inspired to write the book because she’s been a single parent for about four years and went through the difficulties that go with it. When she was struggling and needed help, she said support was hard to find.

“I felt overwhelmed at times where I had to pay the bills that were coming up all on my own, and I had to work full-time and finish school,” Mirasty said. “Now my son is in school, so I have to do the parent-teacher interviews and all of that reflects on me.”

Some organizations that work with single mothers in Saskatchewan have already purchased books for their clients and, in the coming months, Mirasty expects to make several make several presentations on it. The book is available for purchase at Turning the Tide Bookstore in Saskatoon and Mirasty will also be selling in-person at local events throughout the summer.

 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno