I know that feeling immobilized by fear and concern is not the sole plight of a single parent–but, let’s face it, for many of us solo parents, it can take some getting used to taking care of a family on our own. Add to that the reality that we may be going through a messy divorce, facing a funeral, or need to relocated, go back to work or school, etc. and it can be a recipe for feeling fearful and insecure. Acknowledging this insecurity and fear, however, does not mean that we cannot still do what needs to be done…
I used to think that if I felt fearful, or had a tense feeling in my gut when faced with something unknown or unpleasant, that it was my “instinct” telling me not to do it. While sometimes our instinct is trying to tell us that something is not a good idea, there are often times when feeling nervous and afraid is normal, but we still need to do what needs to be done. Think back over times when you have had to start a new job, or perhaps when you faced the judge in your divorce case–or, for many of us, childbirth was a situation we were somewhat nervous about–but we still had to go through all these circumstances and situations anyway!
Keep in mind that each time you face down your fears and do what needs to be done, you will become a stronger, more confident person. Not to mention, you are setting a great example for your child or children. One of life’s important lessons is that we can still do what needs to be done–even if we are uncomfortable, scared, or nervous. Single parents just seem to get that lesson thrust upon them in a big way!
Also: Challenge for Single Parents–Balancing Nuturing and Getting Things Done
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