Today is National Single Parent’s Day. As a fairly-new single mother myself, the venture of raising a child, primarily by myself, was one I never imagined taking.
The mere thought of being a single parent scared me to death.
Fast forward 3 years. I’m still standing. My son is healthy and strong and sprouting like a tree in the spring. And we have been blessed with more than we deserve.
The journey to where I am today was full of trials, struggles, and so many tears.
But no matter how hard it was, I never gave up hope. Why? Because the most rewarding blessing I have is being a mother to my son. Whether I do it alone, or with someone, being a parent teaches me so much about myself: how I need to grow, how I love, and how I value what is most important to me. And in turn, it teaches me how to teach my son the same things.
As a single parent, I just try to keep it all together.
I become both mom and dad, while tending to the household chores, the dog, bills, yard work, laundry…the list goes on. Oh, wait! Don’t forget dinner! We have to eat!
With the endless number of tasks, I have learned that IT IS OKAY to take a breather, to rest, to relax, to not do anything — even if it means dishes sit in the sink for days (mine probably have been sitting there for over a week, to be honest) or if the playroom stays a continuous mess.
But I am not the only one who deserves all the credit.
My support systems, from family to friends to coworkers, were all there for me when I needed them most — even when I didn’t know I needed them. What’s that saying? It takes a village to raise a child.” I learned quickly that IT IS OKAY to ask for help. And I am sure I wouldn’t have made it this far without my village.
So to all the single moms out there (and dads), you are not alone in this walk of life.
Find your support systems, hold onto them, embrace them… because even though you may be a single parent, you are not alone!
