I could have easily hired a professional for the task at hand, but instead, I found myself sitting in the grass with my phone in one hand and a rusty wrench at my feet. Determined, I was ready to tackle a leaky outdoor faucet. And my secret weapon? YouTube.
After my divorce, I aimed to maintain as much stability as possible for my kids, which meant staying in the house they had always known. However, in my rush to finalize the purchase—negotiations, paperwork, loans—I overlooked the reality of owning and maintaining a nearly century-old home solo.
I’ve always considered myself fairly independent, but the truth is, I lived with my parents until college and then moved into apartments. If something broke, we called the landlord, and it was generally fixed. When I bought this house, I had a husband who handled the repairs, whether tackling them himself or hiring someone. I was no Bob Vila.
Once the flurry of paperwork was behind me, spring brought new challenges. My children were eager for wading pools and water balloon fights, but our only outdoor faucet had leaked so badly that the water had been turned off since the previous fall. It was time for action.
“Just call a plumber,” my well-meaning brother said. But calling a plumber for a drip seemed excessive, especially after I’d recently paid an electrician $150 just to flip a fuse switch. So, I did what my kids do when they want to learn something new: I turned to YouTube. If there were tutorials for opening blind bags, surely there were videos on fixing leaky faucets.
That’s how I found myself, one sunny afternoon, with my phone perched on a flagstone, ready to learn. I didn’t need to rely on a husband; I had a virtual army of experts at my fingertips. If one video didn’t resonate, I could simply move to the next one without any arguments or frustration. Why hadn’t I considered this sooner?
After some searching, I finally found a video featuring the same type of faucet I was dealing with. My tool selection was limited to an ancient wrench I unearthed from the back of a cabinet—likely once used for stirring paint. But the guy in the video was patient and understanding, adjusting the volume and pace to meet my needs. It felt like I had my own personal instructor.
Eventually, I managed to disassemble the faucet and, per the video’s guidance, took the rusty piece to a specialized plumbing supply store—not just any home improvement chain. I even had to Google the location.
Once inside, I was pleasantly surprised by the support I received. Within minutes, three employees were eager to assist, helping me identify the right parts for my old faucet. One plumber even gave me his number in case I needed help later. While I appreciated the offer, I knew that YouTube and I were more than capable.
After some effort, I turned the wrench one last time, made my way to the basement, flipped the main water line back on, and dashed outside to the faucet. Holding my breath, I turned the handle. Water flowed beautifully, stopping completely when I turned it back. I was so ecstatic that I startled my neighbor, who paused his gardening to stare.
I had succeeded! This victory was about more than just fixing a faucet; it proved I could manage my home on my own. That moment marked the beginning of my newfound relationship with YouTube. Since then, I’ve tackled assembling a gas grill, installing storm doors, thawing frozen pipes, fixing broken windows, and using various tools I never thought I could handle. My “Single Mom Support” system had expanded beyond friends and family to include YouTube.
Of course, having someone in my life who could handle these tasks would be nice, and I recognize there are times when a professional is necessary. However, my divorce taught me I was capable of so much more than I realized. I might have missed out on the thrill of stepping outside my comfort zone and succeeding.
Until the day comes when I’m not solely responsible for my home, I know YouTube will be there for me—beyond just entertaining my kids with “Ryan’s Toy Review.” If you’re considering becoming a parent through assisted methods, check out this at-home insemination kit for additional resources, and don’t forget to explore these family-building options that can help you on your journey.
Summary
In the journey of single motherhood, YouTube has become an invaluable tool for tackling home repairs and DIY projects. After a divorce, I discovered my ability to manage my home independently by utilizing online resources, proving that I could embrace challenges outside my comfort zone.
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