BelmontFoun...

What is the most difficult thing about being a single parent?

Posted on 04/09/08, 02:08 pm

Give us an idea of how we can support you.

• Reply #41 02/13/09  11:20pm
  
  crzychik
  Right now, the biggest challenge i have about being a single mom, is that i am always with my daughter, 24/7. Never get a break...I cannot afford a babysitter. no matter what i am going through, i have to put on a happy front for my daughter, plus try to find a job, while trying to make being an avon representative successful, on top of that i am going to college, plus start my own candle business. So, with everything going on, not getting a break from my sweet daughter is my challenge. (By the way she is the sweetest most well behaved two year old i have ever met.) yes i have to brag about her. :)
• Reply #42 03/10/09  12:08am
  
  Natalie2000
  The most difficult part about being a single parent is the financial aspect and the guilt of not having that male figure in my childs life,although it was for the best. People are very judgemental and give their opinions even when it is not asked. The finacial hardship is the most pressure.
• Reply #43 03/21/09  11:17am
  
  chikylee
  for me the hardest thing about being a sole parent is concern that the children are not geting any rolemodeling of interactions from loving relationships to base their own value systems.
• Reply #44 04/22/09  12:57am
  
  asalbini
  For me the most difficult thing was lack of personal space and time. When you have a partner, or support group of family and friends (which I also did not have), you get time to yourself. It made me crazy and stressed every day for 3 years being a single mom. I don't know how I survived it, honestly. I have a partner now for 4 years (steadily for 2 1/2), and a new baby with him, and my life is 100 times easier. I never even knew how bad i had it for all those single mom years. Luckily, it did bond me quite well with my daughters, even though I had to work a lot, I think my struggles made them stronger too. Unfortunately, there is a downside of guilt I have in connection to that exact topic as well...i.e. not being emotionally stable for their first years. Bottom line is, do the best you can to get some counseling, time to yourself, even if it means letting your 3 year old watch Sex in the City with you. Ha Ha.
• Reply #45 04/23/09  7:53pm
  
  completelyc...
  Its hard not having any one to talk to. Its hard not being able to do well enough for her. Its hard being the only one she has when you feel like you aren't a good enough parent.Its hard feeling guilty for having to work but being so exhuasted that you just want to be left alone. Its hard when no one understands. Its hard being in love with some one who isn't her father, because lets face it you want for your child to love that person and for that person to love your child but what can you expect from some one who isn't her father. The hardest part for me is the fear that I will be my mom and she will hate me because I don't know what its like to have a decent parent either.
• Reply #46 05/10/09  8:59pm
  
  lasil
  feeling guilty cause your child isn't getting everything he or she needs and also not having someone there for me when i need it so that i can better take care of my children.
• Reply #47 06/08/09  9:56pm
  
  godisawesom
  stay encouraged all of you are doing an outstanding job
• Reply #48 07/19/09  2:17pm
  
  nikadd
  The most difficult thing for me as a single mother is raising me a good man. Although my son is only 5 right now, I just pray to GOD that all the choices and decissions that I make today, tomorrow and yesterday are all the right ones. I encourage my son to be outspoken about everything as I am, I encourage him to be his best in everything he does as so do I, but most of all I encourage him to be as I have. If life was easy I would take that path, but I have no regrets on the rugged road to my life and my son's life that I have taken, because I am happy and content with the outcome (so far so good). Every child needs guidance, but you know what? so do adults. I guess everyone needs it right?
• Reply #49 07/19/09  11:08pm
  
  sammie70
  Watching your children get older and know that when they are gone off to college... well hopefully because you were mean and unreasonable when it came to homework and friends, that what else is there? Mine are a senior, my girl, and a junior, my boy.... It gets so much harder when they get older in all ways.

This group is hosted by the Belmont Foundation. Our hope is that single moms will find the support they need from this online community.