The Truth about being a Mom
Deciding to become a parent might be one of the most difficult decisions you would ever take. For a mother, however, the stakes seem to be just that much higher. From the maddening diaper duties to juggling your career, it is just a never-ending list of responsibilities.
While we realize that the challenges of caring for a child are innumerable for both parents, a mother usually has the lion’s share of the responsibilities considering that the father, in most Indian families, is the only one who’s working. Even if both the parents are working, it is usually the mother that has to take most of the care of the baby whilst managing her career. This is a list of a few common mom struggles, along with some encouragements and suggestions that might help you deal with them.
Social problems
Being a single mom means that you’re basically trapped underneath a mountain of responsibility that’ll not let you have the time to keep in touch with your friends let alone finding romance. Many working single moms also talk about the guilt of having a night out while leaving their kids at home.
This is an extremely important issue; you will need all kinds of encouragement from people who love. Search for places that will help you get some social time while keeping kids entertained, maybe a gym with a kids’ area or you could even go on a play date with other single parents. You can also get family members to take care of your child once a month so that you can let your hair down. Parenting, especially when you’re single, is immensely taxing, that is why you need some time for yourself.
Fatigue
Let’s face it; the bottom line is that you’re doing alone what was supposed to be a two-man job. Raising a child by yourself leaves you physically, emotionally and spiritually drained. But because you are the only one your kids can depend on, you’ve got to stop pushing yourself to your limits every day. You must take care of yourself so that you can take care of them.
There are many ways to take a breather. Search for other single parents near where you live and get in touch with them. You can take care of their kids when they want to go out and they can do the same for you. Take the time off to exercise, go out with your friends or even sleep. You need to understand that taking care of yourself is not being selfish.
Guilt
From feeling culpable about not being able to provide things financially to blaming yourself for spending a day away from your child, there seems to be no end to the guilt a single mother feels. You might also feel guilty about the way things have turned out and then there’s the guilt about not getting to (maybe) follow your dreams because of your situation.
There are many reasons someone can be a single mother; for instance, a mistake is a reason for your single status, learn from it and move on. If your situation is the result of the mistakes of others (maybe an arranged marriage), learn to forgive and move on. If you hold on to the anger and guilt, you’ll never fully appreciate how wonderful motherhood is.
Regardless of how you became a single mother, your worry will prove to be very detrimental to your kids. Focus your energy on making a better future for yourself and your kids.
Financial strain
Events leading to single motherhood, whether it’s divorce, death etc. can have a massive impact on your financial status. It wrecks your financial balance and leaves just one person handling the burden that should have been tackled by two people.
No matter what leads you to this point in your life, you have to let go of the past and move ahead for your kid’s sake. You’ll have to get organized and start handling your money astutely. Consult with a financial planner to help make every rupee you have to go as far as possible. Always keep in mind that despite your financial strains, what your kids need most is your love, which you have in abundance. Lavish them with love and don’t beat yourself up for not being able to give them material things that they want.
Decision-making
From deciding the best school to sending their children to getting the perfect insurance plans parents to have to keep making some tough calls. While the married parents do share the decision-making, mothers usually bare the weight of most of these tough decisions.
Talk to your parents or your friends who have kids to help you take these decisions. Getting help from trusted people can help you lessen your anxiety and strengthen you to take the difficult decisions that you’ll need to make.
We hope that these tips will come in handy while you’re navigating the difficult waters of motherhood. For more tips, including delicious recipes for your pregnancy diet and how to properly use a pregnancy kit check out the rest of the site.
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