I never wanted the fact that I was a single parent to be a crutch. I didn’t want anyone to look at me in a “poor Dorethia and her kids” kind of way. I was determined to ensure that my girls didn’t miss out on anything because they weren’t in a two-parent home. But the reality is that it was hard.I was a young mother with two daughters, trying to figure life out and broke. I was working and going to school, both full time, but not making enough to cover all of my bills, let alone an emergency. I took jobs as a receptionist because it was an easy way to make money and I was good at it. But, it was entry-level.Truthfully, I can’t blame it all on earning a low wage either, because as my income grew, I made some poor decisions. I was never one to blow money on shopping, but I leased a truck I couldn’t afford. The truck payment coupled with Detroit car insurance costs was outrageous. I purchased new windows on installment and a few other things — things everyone else did too, so it seemed like it made sense.