Most single parents are working parents. For many of us, it is not only a requirement, but our work provides the lifeblood for our children’s health and safety. When things get stressful and we feel hopeless, or wonder why we are working so hard and putting up with the stressors we put up with—it can be a perfect time to remind ourselves of why we work as hard as we do.
I am not so altruistic as to say that the only reason I work is for my kids—I also like to have a roof over my head and buy shoes and be able to eat healthy food, but if it was just me, I think I could get by with a lot less. There wouldn’t be children to house and feed or college tuition to pay or any of the other seemingly endless expenses that come with raising children. Most of us feel that tug and pull between working hard and doing what needs to be done at work, and being available for our children. I DEFINITELY think that there needs to be balance and that we cannot always use work as an excuse to not be there for our kids, but when work gets tough it does help to remember why we put up with what we do.
For all the self-fulfillment and citizenship that comes with working, for me the main reason I work is to support my kids—not myself, not to be able to donate money to my favorite charities, but to be able to feed, clothe and provide for my children. It is about doing what is right and making sure that they have what they need. I think this is why so many of us single parents work as hard as we do—both at work and at home trying to balance our time and make sure we are tending to our children’s emotional needs too. When you’re tempted to throw it all out the window—remind yourself why you’re working.