Erica’s World

I’m sure you’ve heard about how difficult it is to be a single parent and how it’s just plain tough to raise your child alone. Undoubtedly, your child is affected because Mom and Dad are no longer living under one rough. This doesn’t have to be the case! In most cases, it’s just plain untrue. Your child will be okay because his parents love him. They have assured him that he’s safe and they will always be there for him. But, did you know there are many benefits to being a single parent? To be honest, many married couples wish they had it so good! I’m not making light of the struggles single parents face. I’m urging all single parents to look on the bright side and enjoy their single parentdom.

Things Are Done MY Way
You no longer have to worry about the cleaning being done to your standards. No more nagging about the garbage being taken out. No shoes by the doorway to trip over. You no longer have to pick up his dirty clothes off of the bathroom floor. Let’s be honest, it’s done best when you do yourself anyway.

What I Say Goes
As a single parent, you make the rules. No one is present to undermine your authority. What you say goes. You no longer have to back down from your decisions. Bedtime is at nine and that’s it! You still have to negotiate the big decisions with your Ex that affect your child such as where to enroll your child in school and should your child get braces this year. Yet, in your house, you are the boss and you set the standards.

It’s All Mine!!
Now that you are single parent, you have that large walk-in closet to yourself. You are master of the remote control. Every night you have that comfy recliner all to yourself. It’s now okay to hog the blankets and you can sleep in the middle of the bed for a soothing and stress-free night of sleep. No one is there to protest your beloved Labrador Bingo from keeping you company either. The only snoring is your own. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Time To Myself
How cool is it that every other weekend you have free to yourself? Take advantage of your newfound freedom. Read that bestseller you always meant to read but didn’t have the time because you were too busy being a wife and a mom. Catch up on the TV programs you missed out on because they weren’t suited for children. Take a yoga class or meet a friend for coffee. Go out on a date. On your weekends alone, it’s okay to be selfish and think only of you.

I Can Be Friends With My Ex
Now that you are single and your child custody matters are all figured out, your energy is no longer spent on duking it out with your Ex. This is not to say that you will never disagree with your former partner. What I’m saying is that now that you have cooled down, you are free to remember what it is that you once liked about your Ex. After all, you liked each other enough to have a child. He still has that great sense of humor and carefree personality that you once admired. This time, you’ll appreciate those qualities from a different perspective. It’s okay that you didn’t work as a couple but you can still get along as co-parents. In the end, your child will benefit from parents who get along.