4 Challenges Single Moms Face
During the last decades, the concept of family has widened and diversified, giving way to different family models. Because of this, the stigma associated with single mothers is diminishing. And many women also deliberately choose this path to start their families.
However, single mothers still face multiple challenges that make their jobs demanding and sometimes lonely. The conciliation and support measures that society offers to women who exercise their maternity alone are insufficient.
In addition, unfortunately, judgment and criticism are still present in various fields. All of this can complicate and obscure the beautiful experience of being a mother. Identifying the main challenges will be the starting point in order to be able to meet them and thus benefit from motherhood.
The challenges of single mothers
Overload of tasks and responsibilities
Women who practice partnerless motherhood assume the economic, moral and emotional responsibility for education. They are the sole economic support of the family, they exercise all parental and educational functions and take care of household chores.
The weight usually shared with the other parent rests solely on their shoulders. This can generate physical and psychological wear and tear.
Isolation
During the first months of motherhood, the care that the baby needs means that the mother must show almost exclusive dedication. For the same reason, many mothers say they lack contact with other adults. They also express that it affects them emotionally.
In the case of single mothers, the intensity of this feeling of loneliness may be greater, not only because there is no other adult at home, but also because the overload of tasks reduces the availability of care. free time to devote to social relations. And this limitation is maintained for much of children’s infancy.
Family dependency
Lack of time, financial resources, and parenting support can cause single mothers to repeatedly turn to extended family. A more common situation when the mother is young.
Because of this need and the absence of another parent, some extended family members may go too far in switching from support to exercising authority that is not theirs. For example, decisions about the education of minors concern only the mother, but they can be overturned by other members of the family.
Negative emotions
All of the above can lead to the appearance of negative emotions. Excessive responsibilities and a lack of time can lead to sustained anxiety and stress.
Feelings of isolation and lack of gratification in areas other than motherhood can cause sadness, irritability, and apathy. And similarly, the need to turn to family support and be disowned can undermine self-esteem and self-confidence.
In addition, single mothers very often face feelings of guilt. Sometimes this family model is a personal choice; other times it is a non-chosen situation (because of the death of the other parent or because the latter decides not to assume their parenting role).
Regardless, many mothers feel guilty when they realize that their children will grow up without the presence of this other figure of reference. They feel responsible for not having succeeded in keeping the family together, and they fear the repercussions this may have on the development of minors.
An emotion that is reinforced by the judgment and opinions of the environment. And which often invalidates single-parent families.
Support for single mothers is essential
To reduce the psychological and emotional impact of all the challenges mentioned, a social paradigm shift is needed. However, until that happens, it can be essential for these women to have support and a safe space in which to express their emotions.
Informing ourselves through books and expert guides can help clear up questions about single parenting. Mothers forums and support groups can be an extremely rewarding and heartwarming space to connect with other women in the same situation.
And, of course, getting professional help or advice when needed can help deal with negative emotions and open up the possibility of a more fulfilling and fulfilling motherhood. Let’s keep this in mind.
Our thoughts When considering how a difficult childhood affects adult relationships, it should be noted that there is no one answer.
