My mother is a single parent and helped to shape me, my older brother and my little sister. She always tells us, “Turn every situation into a positive one.”
I have built a strong relationship with my siblings at home. We all look out and want the best for each other no matter what. My mother means the world to me. When my father left our lives, my mother supported us in all ways, the way a parent should. She gave her kids strength and the belief that we can still succeed even without our father present.
Being a single parent isn’t easy, but she always made it look easy. She takes on the role of a father figure by being tough and making sure we stay out of trouble.
According to the Solo Parent Society there are 10 million single mother-led families in the United States. It is easy to become overwhelmed as a single parent because of all that is needed and expected.
My mother isn’t the only one who’s fought battles and pushed through. It’s important for single parents to know they’re not alone.
She texts us every single day early in the morning telling us to have a good day and to be safe. Even when she didn’t have a good day, her feelings never changed towards us and she always told us that she was okay.
There was one point in time where my mother had lost her job in 2017 and went without one for almost a whole year. Even though she had been submitting her resume in all types of places, she still had no luck.
I never thought she would be happy again and it broke my heart seeing and hearing her cry every night. My grandmother was the one who held things down for all of us financially such as paying our mortgage, utilities and food until my mother was able to find another job. Nine months after all of the battles she faced, she got a job. Her life changed and I saw with my own eyes that she was satisfied with her new job. She’s been able to take care of her kids as she wanted to and has been able to do things on her own. This made me happy again because it impacted me a lot seeing my mother fall into depression, stress and anxiety. I wouldn’t wish the way I felt on anyone.
My little sister has been the closest to my mother because they share the same room. When my mother wasn’t working, my sister tried cheering her up and make her happy telling her that things will be fine. When my mother needed a shoulder to lean on, we were all there for her no matter what time it was.
Going through the struggle within that whole year in 2017 has made me the strong young man I am today. This made us become even closer to each other and very supportive of one another. Me being in college keeps her going because she knows I’m doing what’s best for us and my future.
My oldest brother was in the same shoes as my mother. In 2020 he got his first official job and he’s been helping our mother financially. My brother and I already set plans ahead to make sure we set the right path for our little sister. We always do what’s right to keep that smile on her face because we want her to have a much happier life.
Nobody is perfect and never will be. We had to sacrifice together and not let the devil bring us down. I love my mother with all of my heart and I am thankful for what she’s done and is still doing for us. Being raised by a single mom can toughen you up and change your life.
