It may not be the “typical” family dynamic, but single moms have become a huge sector of the population. It certainly is not an ideal situation, by any means, but it made both you and her stronger people. Maybe you resented the fact you had no father at some points in your life, but you knew there was always at least one person counting on you and loving you with all her heart. If you have a single mother, you can surely recognize these invaluable lessons you learned from her:
Don’t let others steal your joy: No matter how upset you might be because of what someone said about you or how they treated you, don’t stay down–rise above the disappointment. She had her share of negativity thrust in her path, but in the end, she came out stronger. Only you can control your happiness, so don’t give that power away to someone else.
Be independent: It’s so important to be able to hold your own as a woman. It’s all about being able to get through each day, often without the credit you deserve. Your mom is a living lesson of an independent woman who doesn’t have to rely on outside approval to feel good about herself–she’s tough as nails. But at the same time, she teaches you to be gentle and caring. Balancing strength and sensitivity isn’t easy, but it’s a priceless lesson to keep in mind as you go through life.
Love yourself: First and foremost, be able to love yourself for the good and the bad. You might have insecurities, but so does everyone else. She taught you to love yourself unconditionally and learn from the mistakes you’ve made. She told you that everything happens for a reason, so let go of what didn’t work out and don’t beat yourself up for it.
Live with no regrets: The past is in the past, nothing we can do can change that. She is an example of persevering when things didn’t go her way. She had to focus on the present and the future. Take comfort in knowing that each day can start with a clean slate.
Always have hope: Life isn’t fair. Instead of being bogged down by mistakes and misfortunes of the past, keep your focus ahead. There were probably many times when she felt that all hope was lost. Instead of being a victim, she turned her thinking around to become a warrior, and shows that you can be one, too.
“Strong women don’t play victim, don’t make themselves look pitiful, and don’t point fingers. They stand and they deal.”-Mandy Hale
*Many of these lessons are not exclusive to single mothers
