Being a single parent is a little tougher (not to discount parenting all together, it's freaking hard). I carry a lot of guilt for my single mom days, which I need to let go. I'll be honest, I was a mess. It was one of the toughest points in my entire existence, going through a divorce, running a business and trying to be there for my kids. It was only me. I was the good guy and the bad guy for those two toddler girls who depended on me. I was struggling to get this business going during their hours at school and late into the night (sometimes early morning) after they went to bed. I was a giant stress ball. I didn't have that spouse to help me discipline, cook, clean, bathe, and bedtime stories or help diffuse tantrums. I look back and wish I had been more present for them, tried to have more fun with them.
I'm not trying to be a sob story here, if you know me, I do not make reservations for "Pity Party of 1", but I do have a point. This Mother's Day please do something nice for a single mom that you know. Bake some cookies and leave them on her doorstep, post a note on Facebook with some virtual flowers, give her a Starbucks card with an offer to watch her kiddos while she soaks up some sun and sips a coffee (without interruption), pray for her. Or maybe your mom was a single Mom? Mine was, and I developed a new found respect. Thank her and spoil her - she deserves some extra love for all the work.Any of us would love any one of these things, but it means even more to someone who may not be receiving the extra love and attention from a spouse, or hear it from their own young children. I have an amazing husband now who makes sure I am taken care of (Thank you, GOD!) and feel so blessed, but I didn't always.
BTW, I do know there are plenty of Dad's out there who are amazing single Dads - remember this when Father's Day comes around! And don't forget to pray for them all - they need God's strength and encouragement.
Happy Mother's Day friends!!
10 comments:
AMEN! My mom was a single mom to 3. I don't know how she did it. Super mom I guess. :)
You're a rock star, Jenny! I've had tastes of single-motherhood as a pilot's wife & while my hubby was sick for 2 years, and it has given me such respect for single moms everywhere. I don't know how they do it all. I don't know how YOU do it all! Love your idea. I'll be giving love to my single mom friends just as you suggest!
What a sincere and heartfelt post. Thanks for sharing and for making some very sweet suggestions.
Well put, Jennie. No pity party taken. Whenever my husband is out of town, I am in awe of how single parents juggle everything. You ARE a rock star!
Awesome, Jenny! You are wonder woman for sure. :)
You are right, single moms are amazing! You have given me the idea from this to send a note & coffee card to my friend that has been solo for about a year as her husband serves overseas. Sure we've been offering her help in other ways but I would love to give her special kudos for Mother's Day as she is a total rock star!
Sisters in single parenting. For seven years I had that title for my two young daughters while building my career and being primary and sometimes the sole provider. Appreciate my loving and supportive spouse all the more now. Bless you for bringing attention and giving us the idea to help bring much deserved joy to the single moms, and soon, dads on their special days.
I've known you a long time girl.....and you rock as a mom.
Those girls are proof;-)
We're all super-moms! Thanks for all the comments!!!
Just wanted to say thank you for this post. I'm a single mom of 2 kids with special needs and I always appreciate that extra pat on the back, especially around Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to all of you!
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