I am a single mom. Meaning, I have a daughter and I am not with her father and I raise her primarily by myself. I'm sure after reading the first sentence you formed some kind of opinion. I am not blaming you, for I do the same, but I am tired of this stigmatism that comes along with the term "single mom."
I hardly ever refer to myself as a single mom unless I am filling out paperwork that asks that question specifically. I would rather think of myself as a whole person with a child. I am nothing less than a "regular mom." I am not weak, I am not incapable and I am not struggling.
Of course, some tasks are more difficult, okay all tasks, without a partner, but I am managing. Sometimes I feel like I'm actually a better mom now than I was when I was with her father because all of my attention is on making myself better for her.
One misconception most people have when they hear that someone is a "single mom," and I used to be the same way, is that we need your help, you feel empathetic for us. Please don't. If I need help, I will ask and I don't feel bad for myself so you shouldn't either.
Yes, sometimes I need help and I don't know what I would do without my family, but I don't see how this is any different than a two-parent household. It takes a village to raise a child no matter how many parents are around. It is okay to ask for help regardless of the situation.
Another misconception I have noticed is that I don't wish to live this way, that my daughter and I need someone to complete us. Although I never would've imagined I would be parenting alone or my child would grow up in a "broken" home, we are not broken. As long as we have each other, we have it all.
Don't get me wrong, I am open to change and I will always strive to be a better mom, but this is something I can do with or without a partner. Although I love my life and where God has carefully placed me, I pray that someday I will marry a loyal man who loves my daughter as his own and blesses me with more children. But until then, me and my baby are going to be alright.
At the end of the day, I am a single mom. But please do not refer to me as so. I am a blessed mom who loves her child unconditionally. I do not need your pity or your sympathy.
