SINGLE PARENTS

Single Parents

If there is any group of people in the world that have my utmost respect it is single parents. Though I have a spouse, there are days when I feel like I am all on my own when it comes to caring for my house and my child. There is more to it than that though, and I can’t know what these folks go through day in and day out. What I can’t understand is something that they must live with every day and they have my respect because of it.

Even if my husband is not around much due to work and other obligations, I know he is there if I need him. I know that single parents don’t have this. Even if I were to never call him for help for anything, I still know he is there. Not having that must be a burden that makes single parents have to shoulder the world all on their own. They may have family, but nothing can replace the security of having someone in your house and in your life to back you up if you need it.

Single parents can’t ask someone else to help with the little tasks, and they cannot have someone swoop in to attend a parent teacher conference. They can’t call their spouse to go pick up a child when they get sick at school, and they certainly cannot have the choice of whether or not they want to work or stay home with their children. They have no choice in the matter. Single parents much have work outside of the home or everyone will starve.

It goes much deeper than that even, and I hope it is something that I never have to worry about. I have a few friends that are single parents and I know they go through struggles that I cannot understand. They will always have my respect and I wish they got the same respect from everyone else in the world. The next time you want to sneer at a mom with three kids and there is no father in sight, remember that you don’t know why she is in that position and that she does things every day that you cannot even understand. Single parents have to be both parents, and most of us have problems being one parent. Though I can’t understand it, I do respect it. If you see a single mom having a hard time, do what you can to help her out. She may be too proud to accept, but at least she will know you care.