Most single moms don't have grandma's nearby who are able to babysit and, in Canada at least, you should be at least 12 before you are given a latchkey. So what do you suggest a mother should do with a child from infancy to 12 years of age while she goes to work at a minimum wage job?

Not every single mother has the same circumstances. You're mom was lucky enough to have the support of family. Many do not. Thats why we have social services.