Adjusting to life as a single mom

Photo: Adie Livingstone Photography

Theres a lot of things that I've wanted throughout my life and have been very fortunate enough to achieve, 

from small and materialistic things to yearly goals and having my own family. Something that I never 

wanted and never expected to happen was being a single mom. I often romanticise my life but in the 

aspect of a movie with a white picket fence, 2 children a dog and parents in love, but life isn't a movie. 

I still lust after that 'perfect' family lifestyle and I'm ok with that because there will be a day where I'm not 

alone and when I not only have the relationship I want but one that my son can look up to, and I hope my 

son gets that from hid dad also because thats what he deserves. I'm a big believer in everything happens 

for a reason, and sometimes people don't work out and the relationship is better off when the parties are 

separated. There were a lot of factors that went into my breakup, which I won't discuss as that is still the 

father of my son and I will not talk ill of him online. 

Adjusting to being a single mom has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Being a parent is the hardest 

job that someone will ever do, but it is even harder when experiencing it alone. Not only are you the 

default parent but you go from splitting the parenting load to being the sole provider, entertainer, parent, 

friend, teacher and so much more. There is never time to rest or a day off when you are a single parent. 

Parenting is the most rewarding job and getting to wake up every morning to see my sons smile is truly 

the best feeling in the world but there are hard times that feel harder when are alone. Instead of battling the 

struggles and hard times together, it solely falls on you. When you are having a bad day you have no 

option but to put on a smile and act like everything is ok. You get physically tired but emotionally tired 

too, which takes the biggest toll on you. As a single parent you miss out on a lot and don't get that time to be selfish or free.

Although I am happier being single and wanted to be, as my relationship wasn't right and I wasn't going 

to stay in a relationship that didn't work just for the sake of it, doesn't make the fact that doing this alone

 is the hardest thing I have faced and will face and will always be something that I'm adjusting too as parenting is constantly evolving and changing to meet the needs of your child and do what is best for them, because you have their childhood in your hands.

xoxo

Lea-Mai