Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Sydnee York holds her daughter named River Lily York on Nov. 21, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona. Sydnee, who is 21, is a single mother.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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River York, pictured on Nov. 21, is five months old. “River’s father is not a part of her life, but I have my family as my support system. My family is all I need,” said Sydnee York, River’s mother, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Sydnee and River York spend time at the park on Nov. 23 in Phoenix, Arizona. The pair spends a lot of time at the park because their home is full since Sydnee moved back home with her parents and four young siblings.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Sydnee moved back into her parents’ home after finding out that she was pregnant. “I knew it was best for me and River to move back home,” said Sydnee York on Dec. 9 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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In Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 9, Sydnee York dressed River in flannel pajamas that matched the ones she wore. “Since my life is so busy, I like to do little things like wear matching clothes because I feel like it is something I can control,” said Sydnee.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Sydnee York breastfeeds her daughter River on Nov. 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. River is reluctant to take a bottle, so Sydnee regularly feeds her while doing her college courses and work.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Sydnee York shops with her daughter, River, at Michaels Craft Store on Nov. 25, in Phoenix, Arizona. Sydnee gets supplies for an art project that she is doing with the three young children she nannies. Sydnee also works as a tutor and graphic artist. Sydnee is able to bring River to her nanny and tutor jobs.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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River is dressed by her mother, Sydnee York, on Nov. 21 in Phoenix, Arizona. “River has an obsession with her toes. She plays with them all day. She is really good at occupying herself,” said Sydnee York.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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(From left to right) Eden, River, and Sydnee York pet a horse while doing some work at a barn in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 9. Sydnee and Eden, her sister, who just turned 13, work at the barn, and in turn, their horse is boarded and fed for free.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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On Nov. 28, in Phoenix, Arizona, River York plays with a teething ring while her mother, Sydnee, works on her Arizona State University assignments. Sydnee is a Psychology Major and plans to get her Masters Degree after graduating.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Sydnee York’s parents help her with River. “My parents had me when they were eighteen, so they understand how hectic it is to be a young parent,” said Sydnee on Nov. 21, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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On Dec. 9 in Phoenix, Arizona, Sydnee York holds River while Michael, Sydnee’s brother, shows off the “helmet” on his NASA inspired onesie. Michael, 12, and his biological sister, Kudai, 14, were adopted from Liberia six years ago.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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Sydnee York works on her college assignments and scrolls through Tik Tok while trying to put her daughter, River, down for a nap on Nov. 28 in Phoenix, Arizona. Because of COVID-19 regulations, Sydnee's classes were moved to an online format. This allows Sydnee to spend a lot of time with River.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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After changing River’s diaper on Nov. 23 in Phoenix, Arizona, Sydnee York let's River crawl around for a bit in the sun. Sydnee tries to commit at least an hour a day to let River be outside in the fresh air since she spends most of her time inside working on her school work and jobs.

Life as a single mother during the pandemic

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On Nov. 23 in Phoenix, Arizona, Sydnee Yorks plays with her daughter, River. “I constantly have to remind myself that I am in a very different stage in life than my friends, but that’s okay. River truly is the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Sydnee.

Sydnee York, 21, is a single parent to her infant daughter, River Lily York. As a young, single mother,  Sydnee has a busy schedule that consists of work, school, and caring for her daughter. But, Sydnee does not let her fast-paced lifestyle prevent her from being the best mother that she can. Sydnee spends all of her free time doing outdoor activities and preparing for the holidays with River. 

Sydnee works various jobs, which have all been impacted by COVID-19 regulations. Although raising a child during the pandemic is filled with uncertainty, Sydnee has made the most of her situation.  Sydnee now spends more time at her home than she did before the pandemic, which gives her more time with  River. “I just try to find the silver lining during this unprecedented time,” said Sydnee.