A single mom told me that when her daughter turned 13, she asked her daughter to make a list of what she wanted to do, even if it seemed impossible. One of the things on this list was to meet her favorite singer. So, this mom used her skill of persistence. She contacted the celebrity’s fan club and arranged to meet him after a concert. The daughter smiled for two days, and the mom felt like a superhero.
There are times when single motherhood can feel like a struggle, but over time, we gain superpowers and become heroes to our children. Think you’ve acquired some of those powers? Here are 5 to look for within yourself.
Superpower 1: Making Money Stretch
“What are we going to do today?” My twins asked me this question often when they were toddlers. I’d open up the websites to my favorite local mom magazines and find free activities I could do with my children. We’d pack a lunch and snacks and then attend an activity, like a STEM event at the library, an outdoor festival, or free events in maple syrup season.
Being a single mom teaches you to look for opportunities to stretch your money and have a good time. This skill takes time and discipline to develop, but eventually, you’ll be able to identify ways to reduce costs, research the best options, and bring it all together to look effortless.
Superpower 2: Multitasking
I started bedtime, and as my twins took their showers, I put a load of laundry into the washing machine and folded the other load. Then I filled the dishwasher as they brushed their teeth and prepared their backpacks for the next day. I wanted to minimize what I had to do after they went to bed so I could do a little work and go to bed myself at a decent hour.
Being a single mother often means we get up every morning and do the same boring tasks each day. But you know what? As the days go by, we get better at what we do and more efficient. It becomes second nature to multitask, and this is a superpower for us single moms.
Superpower 3: Resilience
When I found out I was pregnant with twins and their father left shortly after, I didn’t know how I was going to move forward. I curled up in a corner and cried. However, I knew I had two lives growing in my womb that I needed to get up for. A single mom moves forward because she has to, because her children are counting on her. She doesn’t stay down. That’s resilience, and it helps you find solutions to challenging projects, overcome barriers, or deal with difficult people at work.
A single mom moves forward because she has to, because her children are counting on her. She doesn’t stay down. Click To TweetSuperpower 4: Expanded Perspective
When my friends betrayed me after I became a single mom, it became difficult for me to develop friendships. After I healed, I learned to appreciate the time with those friends while also being grateful that God was making room for new ones. This wasn’t easy, but this shift in perspective helped me to let go of bitterness and anger.
Try reframing difficulties, looking at things from multiple perspectives, and finding the lessons (and sometimes good) in situations that aren’t ideal so you can move forward with peace.
Superpower 5: Determination
I read a story about a single mom with five children who graduated from law school at 33 years old. She dreamt of being a lawyer since she was 7 years old. However, she abandoned those plans after dropping out of high school, struggling with homelessness, and raising children. Her pastor encouraged her to get her GED and pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. The children helped with maintaining the home and helped her study. With determination, she finished her law degree.
When you realize the power that you have as a single mom, it will give you a relentless desire to pursue your goals and dreams while still being a hands-on mom. I encourage you to reflect and find instances where you’ve already used determination. This will help to fuel you to be determined again. If you haven’t tapped into this power yet, don’t give up. I’ve had to grow in this area, and I know you can too.
How has becoming a single mom changed you for the better?
