The Challenges of Being a Single Parent

One of the most challenging yet rewarding roles that a woman may have to take on at some point in her life is that of single motherhood. For whatever reasons, staying with a significant other is no longer working out and there is a child involved. While not necessarily uncommon (Badger, 2014), having the responsibility of caring for a child alone is one that can be only be successfully fulfilled with perseverance, ambition and a sense of unconditional love. With these attributes along with the desire to be the best parent possible, being a single mother can be such a rewarding experience.

One of the most important aspects of supporting a family, regardless of size, is income. While money, the foundation of how we all live our lives, might be an unsettling thought in this regard, one can only bring up a child successfully with the resources they need if money is coming in adequate amounts on a regular basis. After all, the average spent on raising a child up until the age of 18 is approximately $245,000 throughout their lifetime (Thomas, 2014). Needless to say, in order to generate this kind of money throughout the course of a child’s youth, a sustainable and consistent career is necessary to be established first, especially for single parents.

Order custom essay The Challenges of Being a Single Parent with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

Before properly committing one’s self to this job, the income needs to be properly established as to avoid any complications in the future that may be detrimental to both the mother and child. As a single mother, the proper means of preventing this are either acquired through sheer luck or ambition. Obviously, a steady source of sufficient income is only attainable through a certain amount of dedication and being self-driven.

Being a parent, much less a single parent, is a demanding and time-consuming task in and of itself. This is why properly bringing up a child requires patience and an unconditional sense of love and nurture. There are things that a mother should always say to her child, as well as things that should never be said (Streep, 2016). Of course, “I love you” is always a phrase that should be regularly implemented to reassure a child of how important they are and that they are safe. Comparisons to significant others, especially negative ones, and otherwise using words negatively as a weapon is an unsuccessful parenting tactic that can tarnish a child’s self-esteem and confidence as an individual (Vardigan, 2016).

Not only can this have a negative lasting effect on a child’s self-image, but it can also permanently traumatize and emotionally damage the child later on in life. As a single mother, it is important to realize the role that you are playing in this little person’s life and how you ultimately want them to turn out. Remembering this may make it easier for one to control their temper and hold their tongue. By practicing proper discipline and rational verbal redirection, you will leave your child with the knowledge of how to love their own, despite being alone in your own parenthood.

While being a single parent definitely has its times of trials and challenges, there are rewards to be reaped if done right (Mohler, 2016). Even though single motherhood can be a little bit more challenging than dual parenthood, you will have the final say in how things are done around your home and will make all of the best decisions for your little one without any objections. Being a single mother may entail having to discipline and nurture a child by yourself, but it will also entail clearer expectations from them if they have only one main role model. Also, that child will grow up looking up to you and only you as a parental guide.

There is much work and time to put into single motherhood, but it is most definitely possible with the right attitude and resources. Furthermore, and most importantly, such an experience will be one of the proudest and most fulfilling ones that a woman can have.

References

1. Badger, E. (2014, December 18). The unbelievable rise of single motherhood in America over the last 50 years - The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/12/18/the-unbelievable-rise-of-single-motherhood-in-america-over-the-last-50-years/
2. Mohler, M. (2002, May). Benefits to Being a Single Parent. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/parenting/dynamics/single-parenting/single-parent-benefits/
3. Streep, P. (2016, January 12). 5 Things a Loving Parent Would Never Say | Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/tech-support/201601/5-things-loving-parent-would-never-say
4. Thomas, E. (2014, September 2). This Is How Much It Costs To Raise A Child In The U.S. | Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/18/cost-of-raising-a-child_n_5688179.html
5. Vardigan, B. (2016, January 20). Yelling at Children (Verbal Abuse). Retrieved from https://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/children-s-health-10/child-development-news-124/yelling-at-children-verbal-abuse-648565.html

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer