We single parents have a tendency to be rather focused folks. Add to that how we may be striving for some pretty challenging dreams AND the possibility that we might have high expectations and be somewhat hard on ourselves and we may forget to celebrate and acknowledge our accomplishments along the path of life. We need those celebrations, however, and we need to model for our children how to take a break and celebrate when we reach our goals.
I have a confession to make, when I finally got my bachelor’s degree as a single parent, it was barely a blip on the celebration radar. I was just so busy with work and family, and so exhausted from having stretched myself to finish up in record time, that I just closed the books and moved on–no party, no announcements, and I didn’t even have the energy to walk in the procession. While I don’t regret my choice at the time, I can see how it might have been good for our family to have a little celebration. I think I was hoping that someone else (who?) would swoop in and organize a celebration for me. It didn’t happen and a dream that took me nearly two decades to accomplish went unnoticed. It probably would have been much better modeling for me and done our family good if I would have made a bit of a fuss.
So, just because there is no one else around to make a fuss when you accomplish pieces and leaps of your dreams does not mean that they should go uncelebrated–acknowledge that promotion, have a special dinner when you pass that big test or save enough for a down payment on a house, or start your little business–whatever it is that gets you closer to accomplishing your single parent, personal and family dreams deserves a bit of a celebration, and it is up to us to give ourselves that pat on the back!
Also: Is Fear Holding You Back? How to Work with Your Fears