Sometimes as single parents it’s easy to get down on yourself. You start to identify with the negative aspects of your life and the positive ones seem more and more distant. It’s easy to get bogged down with all of the responsibilities of being single and raising a family. It’s a big job, one that was meant for two. Finding balance in the middle of all of the chaos can be a challenge at times. You’re giving so much of yourself in so many different areas that there is little left over.
No matter how much you are doing, you never feel like it is enough. You feel like you should always be doing more, even though there is no humanly possible way. The burden of guilt is heavy on your shoulders, even though it shouldn’t be. These feelings are natural as a single parent. We have high expectations of ourselves, sometimes so high that we cannot attain them. But sometimes it is good to take a step back from all the chaos and really see ourselves for who we are.
If we could see ourselves through the eyes of those around us, I think we would be surprised at what we found. I think we would see a woman who is giving her all to give her children a better life despite difficult circumstances. We would see a woman who is tired and burned out, but who is pressing forward because she isn’t a quitter. We would see a woman who isn’t perfect, but who is doing her best with what she’s got.
Why is it that the people around us can see it, but we can’t? Don’t let unnecessary guilt get in the way of seeing your true worth. You are your own worst critic. You are a woman of excellence, don’t let your circumstances tell you otherwise.