Growing up with a single mother, I learned a lot about family, love, and life. Here they are:
Being Friends with Your Parent is Healthy
I’m not ashamed to admit that my mom is one of my best friends. I tell her everything, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with her. We miss each other when I’m away at school, and while I’m home we spent a lot of time together. This is one of the healthiest relationships I’ve ever had; not only have we spent 18 years together, we have enjoyed those years and want to maintain a good dynamic even though I don’t live at home full time anymore. It’s unbelievably nice to come home to someone that I truly like being around.
Sacrifice is Necessary to Raise a Child
Sometimes I think that when there are two parents involved in raising a child, the sacrifices made are less apparent than they are in a single-parent home. My mom works full time to support me and forward my education, and I noticed that, even as a young child. I’m unbelievably grateful to her for what she’s done for me. Children of two-parent homes are also aware of the sacrifices their parents make for them, but it’s a bit more obvious when there is only one breadwinner in the family.
Traditional Parental Roles are Unimportant
A lot of stereotypes exist as to which parent should undertake which roles in the raising of a child. The father is supposed to teach the child about standing up for themselves and being tough, while the mother is supposed to teach gentleness and understanding. However, my mom taught me all of this and more; it didn’t matter that I didn’t have two parents. She is living proof that gender stereotypes in regards to parenting don’t carry any truth.
You Don’t Need Two Parents to Be Happy
Although I’ve missed the presence of my father a few times throughout my life, I wouldn’t trade my relationship with my mother for the world. She has raised me to be a strong, confident, intelligent woman on her own, and she truly is an incredible woman. I know a lot of people with single parents feel the same way. We experience our childhoods in a different way than people with two parents, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, I am happy that my mother raised me, because I now have a lifelong friend who will love me unconditionally, for the rest of my life.
