Parenting has to be one of the most demanding of all jobs
Sure it also has the greatest rewards and fringe benefits
But there is no doubting it can leave you exhausted
And to a certain point, completely paranoid !!!!!!!
Well done to all the single parents who have no one to share those magic moments with
And no one to share their pains with either.
I must admit I actually thought that seeing as my children had an “hands off” father !!!! Being a single parent would not bring any new challenges to me, after all I was used to it being just me and the children anyway
Boy, was I wrong !!!!!!!!!!
I take my hat off to all the single parents who have had to be single parents from when their children were tiny babies,
At least when my babies were young I did have someone who could take a turn during those long nights when nothing will pacify baby and you need a break from walking up and down the same room till all hours
I think I took so many things for granted, those occasions when you are trying to answer the phone, dish up a meal, feed a baby all at the same time, so much easier when there are two of you to get involved. At least even if one of the parents isn’t a lot of help you can always pass baby over whilst you concentrate on just the one dilemma !!!!!
For me, my introduction to single parenting came at a time when the youngest at least was mobile for himself, able to be reasoned with and able to care for himself.
But its not just about that is it????
For me, I feel the pressure when I am deciding on things such as “Which school should I send my child to?” Basically the decision is mine, I can ask other parents their opinions and take a good look but there is no one to sit and go through all my concerns with.
Childrens Health, there is no second opinion on hand in single parenting families, its just you !!! You really have to listen to your gut instinct. If your child is not well, you act totally on what your intuition is saying.
When your child is having problems in a social situation, if they are under performing, being bullied or just even being the bully themselves, its down to the one parent to work through the situation and help the child and get the right answers for them.
When you are tired after yet another stressful and tiring day, especially when you have dropped the children at school, gone on to work, raced to collect the children, only to bring them home, where you are then swept away with the next cycle of cooking, cleaning, washing, bathing, putting to bed.......... you sit back exhausted for the first time in the day and there is no one there to share your thoughts and your day with
I never appreciated just how hard it is being a single parent
So to all those single parents who have had to do it all on their own. Well Done I think you are amazing !!!
(May 2008) (
Dee