I know that title sounds a little snooty and I don’t mean to imply that somehow single parents are “better” than anyone else in any way—but I did want to say something encouraging, positive, and I believe—pretty accurate. When I think of all the single parents I know, most of them are pretty thrifty and creative and quite versed in the ways of the do-it-yourselfer…
I think that there is truth to the old saying that necessity is the mother of invention—there’s nothing like a limited budget, limited time, and a healthy helping of need to inspire a person to all sorts of levels of independent ingenuity. While my kids occasionally criticize my thrifty do-it-yourselfness, as they get older, I notice that they are also taking on some of those skills. AND, they do have some fond memories. For example, in our house, we never purchased Halloween costumes—we might pick up a tube of face paint or a fake mustache if we absolutely had to, but it was really all about what we could come up with on our own. When my kids were little, that really meant what I could come up with and they would approve. Now when they look back at pictures, they get a big kick out of all the various costumes we were able to come up with and have extremely fond memories of those busy Halloweens and their original costumes.
Sure, we single parents get pretty familiar with thrift stores and hardware stores and discount stores—but that I do not think that is a bad thing. When it comes to repairs, maintenance, home decorating, school projects, and other typical family realities—learning the skills of the do-it-yourselfer can be a single parent’s salvation in terms of sanity and budget. So, I think we should celebrate the creativity, craftiness, and make-do of the single parent!
Also: Is it Too Early To Think About the Holidays?
Single Parents and Chores and Errands–During the Week or on the Weekend?
Interruptions Define the Life of a Single Parent