I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “I’m sorry,” when someone has found that I’m a single parent. Well, I’m not sorry. It was disappointing that things didn’t turn out as I had envisioned them, but I don’t regret the decisions I have made. I don’t feel sorry for myself or my situation and neither should anyone else. No singe parent should feel that way. What should happen is for them to rise to the occasion, and better themselves from it. Some wonderful things have come from my situation and I am thankful for them.
I have never been a selfish person, but being a single parent has taught me the true definition of selflessness. This is a lesson that I don’t think I could have learned any other way, and am really grateful for.
I have learned the true value of myself. For years I could not see my true value. While having a child did increase that value some, being a single parent also brought into view how much of the value I was blind to as well.
I have continued my education. If I had not become a single parent, I know I would not have gone back to school when I did. I don’t even know if I would have gone back even up to this point in my life. Granted, my education is not complete, it’s more than what I would have if I weren’t a single parent.
I have learned that sometimes, a need isn’t really a need at all. Sometimes, every once in a while, you can give up that “need” for something that you want more and then it turns out that want was actually a need. Being frugal is a very valuable lesson that single parenting has taught me. Now, I haven’t gone as far as to reuse tin foil, but then again, I haven’t felt the need to take it that far.
I have found inspiration and dedication. When I put my mind to something, I stick to it. When I’m feeling down and out, I look at my son and know that he’s worth everything and anything that needs to be done.
I view the simplest things in a different light. It has taught me to be grateful for all the things we do have, to realize that we are very lucky and could be in a very different situation. We may not have a perfect life, but we do have a happy one, and that is what’s important.
You could also read What I Like About Being A Single Parent and Single Parenting Perks for more reasons not to be sorry.