I admit that as a single parent, sometimes having a social life really slips down on my rank of priorities and things I have energy to put into—not always. There are other times when getting out of the house, being with friends, and even dating can feel like just what I need. But, at the end of a really long day—working the multiple jobs, taking care of house and kids and activities and errands—I don’t always feel like I have much to offer in the social department and I know I don’t have the energy to listen to one more person’s “issues”…
Of course, friendships are life-affirming and important and glorious—I do get that, but they also take a great deal of focus and energy and love and kindness and all those wonderful human things. Weeks can go by when my life as a single parent takes so much out of me that I think I all I could probably muster would be a pat on the back, let alone hold up my end of an energetic conversation over coffee or a pizza!
Not to mention, a social life can get expensive! That is one of those little realities that never seems to make the articles and encouraging speeches about how important and healthy a social life is. After I’ve tried to explain why I can’t afford to a. go to dinner b. go to the movies c. go away for the weekend for about the twelfth time, I often get dropped from “the group” anyway. For some reason, no one is showing up on my doorstep offering to take me out for a relaxing steak dinner or a night at the ballet. Anything I do out and about I have to pay for myself and I’m willing to bet I’m not the only single parent who finds funding a social life to be a little daunting. Sometimes, it just isn’t in the budget.
I imagine my life would be different if I let “social life” sit at the top of my priorities—or at least moved it up in rank a bit, but there’s only so much one person can do in a day, and the responsibilities of family life tend to come first!
Also: If I’m Not Partnered, Why Don’t I Feel Single?
What NOT to Say to a Single Parent on a Date
How to Make Time for Dating as a Single Parent