Single Super Moms and Dads
Being a single parent is certainly no easy task, especially when couples themselves have so much trouble raising one child. However, single parents seem to be made of sterner stuff, and are always willing to make whatever sacrifice needed to guarantee their kid a bright future.
1. Finances Are Tight
As a single parent, you might have noticed that it’s incredibly hard to keep finances in check. It’s hard enough to raise kids with two paychecks in current times; just one paycheck means that some luxuries need to be put aside. Learning to stretch the limit of your income to meet all the needs of both yourself and your kids is a skill that needs to be mastered.
2. Your Kids Make Choices With You
One of the positive things about being a single parent is that your kids make choices with you. They become more involved in everyday things, which can be a great help and a load off your shoulders. This also makes the kids more keen to help, as well as making them more capable and ready for other hardships in life.
3. Looking After Yourself Is Hard
With so much at stake when it comes to taking care of the kids, making sure everything is clean and food is ready, it can be hard to take care of yourself as well. Sometimes, it can be as simple as a relaxing bath or a hot shower. Making sure you are maintaining healthy mental and physical habits can be easier said than done, but it’s a necessity nonetheless.
4. No Negotiation Needed
Although single parenthood is harder than doing it with a partner in many ways, it does come with some advantages. If something needs to be done, or if you want to make a decision, you don’t have to negotiate with anyone. You know what’s best for your kids and yourself, so you can just go ahead and do it, no questions asked.
5. It Can Be Too Much
With so many things that need to be done on a daily basis, it can get extremely overwhelming. Washing clothes, doing the dishes, vacuuming, picking up toys, making sure the kids did their homework—the list just keeps going. It can be too much at times, but asking for help or even taking a break from something once in a while is okay.
6. Time Management
You are expected to do everything that needs to be done in a day, and time management is crucial for this. Setting strict and rigorous schedules when it comes to necessary things is very important. One slip-up and you might forget to set up dinner or pick up the clothes from the washer, which is why a good schedule might save you a headache.
7. Being “On” All The Time
When you are a single parent, there’s not really a time when you don’t do anything. Whether it’s cleaning, cooking, helping with homework, or just listening to your kids, you are on all the time. It’s one of those things that others who aren’t single parents can’t truly grasp.
8. Dating Isn’t a Priority
Given that your kids rely on you for everything, it can definitely be hard to find time for yourself. Dating is one of those things that you either don’t have time for or it simply isn’t a priority for you. There are much more pressing matters to tend to that take higher priority than going out on dates.
9. Hard Things Become Easier
You might realize pretty soon that hard things become a lot more manageable. Since you are the sole person doing all these chores and necessary tasks, they go from being optional to becoming crucial. It’s one of those things that become so necessary that it’s not even a question of hard or easy anymore.
10. Failure Is Not an Option
Making sure everything is done or being taken care of is your responsibility when it comes to basically everything around the house. Failing at just one thing that needs to be done for your kids can range from not a big deal to missing something very important. Organizing your time well or even asking your kids to help you out can be a great way to make sure you don’t miss anything.
11. Not Everything Needs To Be Perfect
Sometimes, it’s hard to do every single thing exactly right, and that’s okay. As long as the necessary things are done, other stuff is just extra. Asking your kids what they would prefer to do or eat can help your planning and make things easier throughout the day.
12. Sleep Over Anything
You might find that you are extremely physically exhausted from constantly running errands and doing chores. Single parents around the world will tell you that they prefer having a good night’s sleep over anything else, if the situation allows it. If your kids are going for a playdate or a sleepover, be sure to get a well-deserved rest and a long, quality sleep.
13. Discipline
One of the things that is at the top of the priority list is making sure that both you and your kids have discipline. This will ensure that everything around the house runs smoothly and will make your daily tasks that much easier. Making sure your kids know not to throw dirty clothes just anywhere or to put the dirty dishes in the sink and soak them can help more than you think.
14. You Wear All The Hats
You are the most important person in your kids’ lives when it comes to essentially everything. Mom, dad, cook, maid, friend, driver—you are everything to them, and that is something that nobody can take away from you. Even though it can be hard to do all of these things while making it look effortless, it’s something your kids appreciate, and you should be proud of managing.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
15. Turn Chores Into Bonding Experiences
Even though there are countless things to be done around the house, that doesn’t mean you need to do them alone all the time. If your kids want something like cookies or a cake, make it a bonding experience by getting them to help you. This goes for more annoying chores such as doing the dishes, which can be an activity you do with your kids as well. Just make a game out of it, and it will be more fun for both sides.
16. Communication Is a Must
Making sure your kids have everything they need is not the only thing that’s important. Sometimes, they might have a long and difficult day, or they might have a hard time at school. Listening and communicating with your kids is crucial and builds a strong and loving relationship, as well as respect and comfort towards you.
17. Doing Everything Solo
While your kids might help you out with certain things around the house, the reality is that you are doing everything by yourself for the most part. This can be a very difficult thing, and it might feel impossible at times. Just remember you are doing it for your kids and their future, and it’s okay to ask for help or take it slow sometimes.
Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash
18. Friendship Is a Necessity
While your kids are your world, making sure you find time to spend with other adults might be something that is a necessity for you. Having friends come over for some adult conversations and socializing might be exactly what you need to get you through the week. If you have friends who also have kids, all the better—just set up a playdate for the kids while you socialize with the adults.
19. Dealing With the Stigma
Sometimes, it’s not all about the things you have to do for your kids and yourself every day. While you might be managing to do it all, society sometimes has a hard time fully accepting single parents. The stigma and attitude some people might have towards single parents can be overwhelming, which is something others might not understand.
20. You Are the Only Role Model
While it can be extremely hard at times, all of it is worth it when it comes to your kids. They have nobody else to look up to, making you their only role model. As such, you should feel pride and happiness that your kids see you as this super-parent who can do everything and anything for them.
