KANISA GEORGE
Ask any mother about her views on motherhood, and she would say it is one of the most beautiful yet challenging experiences of her life. Ask the question of a single mother, and you'll be hard-pressed to find one who didn't add extreme exhaustion and loneliness to the list.
Being raised by a single mother, I observed first-hand the many struggles that accompany this role. It is an endeavour that requires selfless commitment and isn't without emotional scars. From sun up to sun down, women worldwide challenge themselves to stay one step ahead of the clock, hoping that this might make the task of childrearing a lot less cumbersome. Single mothers are expected to be on call 24/7, and very few have the luxury of support from friends or extended family. It takes expert precision to manage varying schedules that involve work, school and recreational commitments. And women who have more than one offspring face balancing life like a professional circus juggler.
Millions of households are headed by single mothers, and this family structure plants its feet firmly in TT society. Too proud to admit the pressure of this overwhelming task, more than a handful of single mothers are struggling to keep their heads above water, in a job that allows little room for error. Add a pandemic and home-schooling to the mix, and you'll get a cocktail of anxiety and restless nights.
Conquering this trade requires commitment, time, careful management and a mental checklist of the many small things you could do to improve your quality of life. Big fixes aren't always easy to come by, and research shows that mothers feel a sense of accomplishment on completing seemingly small goal.
Stress is a major issue affecting single-parent households. According to Mayo Clinic, being a single parent can result in added pressure, lack of sleep and fatigue. If a mother is too tired or distracted to be emotionally supportive or consistently discipline their child, behavioural problems might arise. Because juggling work and child care can be financially demanding and socially isolating, single mothers need to find ways to manage these challenges.
It goes without saying that being a single mom brings with it a deadly sense of loneliness. And while you may not be able to completely eliminate loneliness, one parenting blog suggests a few things you can do to keep loneliness at bay. First on the agenda is self-care. The act of self-care gives a sense of peace and calm and can also affect your overall health. An act as simple as drinking your favourite alcoholic beverage or soaking your feet is the perfect self-care exercise, and it can give a sense of purpose and satisfaction outside of parenting responsibilities.
It is also crucial for single mothers to maintain meaningful friendships. Finding time to go clubbing or bar hopping might be a thing of the past. But meeting a friend for a drink, leisure walk or spa date can boost your confidence and give you that much-needed adu
