Father's Day thread for Single Parents
I am a single mom of three. Had my first at 22, alone, when my husband decided he was too young or something and vanished when i was 8 mos pregnant. Second marriage, two more kids...the abuse started before the second pregnancy and he thought I wouldn't leave with babies on my hip. I ran ten years ago with a 12 yr old, two yr old and 9 month old...
The reality is that I have spent more time alone as a parent and head of household than I have had partnership. There's times I am glad for it...I don't have to share custody or do the debate about who's rules are better...But I also don't have the support and companionship that most coupled parents have.
My kids are now 21, 12 & 11...and they are the most funny, smart, and well adjusted kids I know. They aren't jaded, but they know I struggle sometimes and they respect the efforts I make to help their lives be as "normal" as possible, despite the missing parent. I think sometimes we all wonder "what if" but it's not something to dwell on. (my daughter, in her romantic tween thoughts, thinks I need a BF and that I am lonely...but I am really just *too* busy for the social life right now)
That said - days like this that recognize a parent that is absent - are a little irksome to say the least. I am proud that I have been the one pitching and practicing grounders and flyballs with my youngest so he can excel in baseball, but there are some things I can't be to all of them. And yes, it kind of pisses me off that the men who said they would be there for me (and US) are living their lives with no strings attached.
Anyway - Here's a shout out for ALL single Parents today. We do it ALL, and we deserve to get props for BOTH parent holidays!!
= new reply since forum marked as read
