Being a single parent is serious business. Raising children, in general, can feel like super-serious business and we may have preconceived ideas about what it takes to be a responsible parent. You may wonder what role silliness and playfulness have in this serious situation of taking care of a family on your own? The truth is playfulness can play a big role in being a happy and successful single parent!
Sometimes things can get so tense and times can be tight and stressful. This might not feel like the time to let go of being serious, but as a parent it might be JUST the time to be a little silly. I am not advocating being irresponsible or shirking one’s parental duties—but we do not always have to be so darned hard-nosed and serious. I know that in the initial months and years after I became a single parent, I thought that I needed to work extra hard to set the tone that I was in charge and completely in control—this made me come across as over-serious sometimes. As I became increasingly comfortable in my role as a single parent, I was able to let go of the reigns a bit and found that some playfulness, humor, and silliness actually made me a better, more in tune parent.
I am finding that now with my children nearly grown—when I look back over the years I don’t really have fond memories of the times I have been tough and serious—it is the times I have been able to relax and lighten up and enjoy parenting and playing with my children that I remember best. Not that I am not satisfied that I have been tough when I needed to be—but I surely didn’t need to be serious all the time.
Also: Let the Little Stuff Go