I don’t mean to seem like an overly-optimistic Pollyanna, but there really are all sorts of personal development opportunities that come with life as a single parent. One is that we have the chance to expand and improver our social and personal skills in ways we might not if we are partnered or married.
Think of it–as a partnered parent, you don’t have to reach out to the outer world as often and don’t have to ask for help, look for alternative ways to deal with transportation, child care, social activities, etc. I know that as a single parent, I have had to learn all sorts of interpersonal skills that I might have been able to avoid had I been married or partnered. Not only do we learn about self-sufficiency and independence in other areas of our lives, but we also learn about how to ask for help and lean on other people in other areas of our lives.
I know that I have also learned a great deal more empathy and understanding for OTHER single parents since I have been one myself. Single parents often find themselves in new situations–a new job, moving to a new neighborhood or city, going on first dates, taking classes or going back to school as an adult, interacting with teachers alone, etc. All of these situations and circumstances provide us with the opportunity to develop and improve our social and personal skills. I don’t think I’ve met a single parent who has not expressed some pride and amazement over all the things he or she has learned and done that he/she never imagined would be part of life’s lessons! For most of us, we find that we never knew we had so much strength, moxy and capability within us–it can come as a very pleasant surprise!
Also: Handling Those Intrusive Personal Questions
If I’m Not Partnered,Why Don’t I Feel Single?