Some people just don't understand what it is like to be raised by a single mother. I cannot tell you the amount of times that I could see people felt bad for me when I told them I was raised by a single mom. It is an unbelievable amount. I never understood why people felt bad for me. In my eyes, I had it good. I had it really good.
Here are ten reasons why I am proud that I was raised by a single mother:
1. It taught me what working hard truly meant.
I knew it because I saw it and witnessed it first hand. I witnessed the financial struggles, I witnessed the emotional struggles, and I witnessed her pulling through it all.
2. It taught me how to be independent.
I have never felt like I truly depended on someone for everything in my life. At the end of the day, I have always known that I could probably figure out whatever I was going through by myself.
3. I appreciate my mom a lot more.
Whenever I look at kids interacting with their mom, I can never understand how some children treat their mothers so poorly and are so rude to them. My mom has always worked incredibly hard to provide for my sister and I, so hard that I could never imagine treating her so poorly.
4. It has made me a stronger woman.
I know that women can accomplish much more on their own without relying on other people. I watched my mom take on the task of being the head of the household while raising two young children. She is amazing.
5. It reminds me that women can make it on their own.
There is a common stereotype in today's society that women need a man to complete them. My mom was in a marriage that she was unhappy in, so she decided that she would be better off by herself. She was right. My mom made a life for herself and for us.
6. Single parents can do everything that two parents can do.
My mom would jump through hoops to make sure she did everything for my siblings and I. The fact that she was only one person never stopped her from being everywhere she needed to be.
7. I know what it means to be emotionally strong.
Not many things can bother me; I'm a very level headed person, and I believe that is because I was raised by a single mother. My mom is the strongest woman that I know and I've seen her be pushed and pulled in many different directions, but she always was able to stay grounded.
8. I know how to do the next right thing.
Every parent has little mottoes that will stick with their children throughout their entire lives. Growing up, my mom would always tell me "take a deep breath and do the next right thing."
9. I'm confident.
I'm confident because she is confident, because she knew how to raise two young girls without knowing how to raise them at all. I'm confident because she taught me to have the courage of my own convictions.
