Being a single mom is a juggling act, but until recently, I always felt supported by my friends and family. That changed the day I hired a contractor named Mark, and it became clear why people say being a single mom is challenging.

My name’s Eliza, and I’m a single mother to Chelsea (10), Trevor (8), and Kayla (6). After my ex-husband’s multiple betrayals and ultimate abandonment, I found myself navigating life solo. Although I was managing, dealing with home repairs alone was a new and daunting task.

A few months ago, my kitchen drain got clogged. I tried the usual home remedies, but the sink was still backed up, forcing me to wash dishes in the bathroom. Frustrated, I reached out to my brother Adam, who suggested hiring a professional.

A friend recommended Mark, a contractor who was supposedly one of the best. When Mark arrived, he seemed competent. He suggested remodeling the kitchen to prevent future issues and quoted a reasonable price. I agreed, believing the job would be completed quickly.

For the first two weeks, everything was fine. Mark was friendly with my kids and made good progress. Then, he missed a day. And then another. When I tried calling him, he said he was busy with another job and would come by later. Days turned into a week, and he stopped responding altogether.

Realizing what was happening, I saw through his plan: he thought he could take advantage of me because I was a single mother. No husband to hold him accountable. I wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

I decided to take action. I snapped photos of my half-finished kitchen—cabinets hanging askew, exposed wires, and broken pipes. I posted these images on local home improvement Facebook groups, describing my experience with Mark without being inflammatory.

The response was swift and overwhelming. People shared similar stories of Mark leaving jobs incomplete and disappearing. Even Adam was stunned by the feedback when I told him.

Two days after my post, Mark called, panicked. “I’ve been hearing things online… People say I’m not finishing jobs. Is that true?” he asked, his voice shaky.

I remained calm. “Well, Mark, maybe you should focus on completing the work you started,” I said.

Later that day, Mark arrived with his team and worked with a newfound urgency. It was almost comical how fast he scrambled to finish. Once the job was complete, he begged me to remove my post and leave a positive review.

I told him I’d think about it. In reality, I had no intention of taking down the post. Mark needed to understand that his actions had consequences.

I took pride in handling the situation myself. If Adam had been around, Mark might never have dared to mistreat me. But in the end, it was a lesson in standing up for myself and not letting anyone exploit my circumstances.

Now, with my kitchen finally fixed and my confidence boosted, I understand why being a single mom is challenging. It’s not just about managing daily tasks but also standing firm in the face of adversity. I may be on my own, but I’m far from powerless.