To explore single mothers’ labor market participation we analyzed specific circumstances and dynamics in their life courses. We focused on the question which individual and institutional factors determine both professional advancement and professional descent. The German Socio-Economic Panel (1984–2010) provides all necessary information identifying episodes of single motherhood and analyzing restrictions and interruptions of employment during life courses. Since family statuses of single mothers are partially endogenous and can end in multiple ways, we used semi-parametric survival models. Competing risks estimations showed that occupational careers of single mothers are influenced by individual factors such as appointed and reliable working hours, and further by the institutional determinants childcare or welfare benefits.