Mother's Day Special: Saluting All Single Mothers!

By Bhumika Chitkara

If you ever wish to meet superheroes in real life, meet single mothers as they are no less than real life superheroes! Being a single mother is challenging and when it comes to raising a child all alone, it requires a lot of courage. Being emotionally as well as financially independent is no joke, but single mothers in India are still overlooked and judged by society. 

Mothers often raise their children alone due to several reasons be it divorce, separation, separation, widow or they are single mothers by choice. It can be difficult in the beginning but once a single mothers decides to do the best for her child then there's nothing that can stop her! 

“Why don’t you get married again”, “How can you raise your child without a man” “You can never take her father’s place.” are the most common and the most shameful comments heard by almost every single mother. Amidst all the unasked advice, she does everything over her capabilities to provide the best life to her child! Despite all the hardships they make motherhood look so easy and effortless.

As challenging as it looks, there are some benefits of single motherhood:

Better bonding between the child and the mother: Being a single mother gives you a chance to build a special bond with your child which you might not have had with a partner. Your child gets to spend most of the time with you which opens up a space of trust and confidence.

You are the decision maker: Sometimes parents cannot come to a point where they can mutually agree on their child’s upbringing. Both parents might have conflicting points of views. Being a single mother provides you with the power of making decisions for your child as well as yourself.

You become emotionally and financially independent: Single motherhood gives you a chance to be emotionally independent. To be able to meet all your kid’s demands and to provide them the best lifestyle possible, you also need to be financially independent. Not just for your child, it gives you a chance to be emotionally and financially independent for yourself.

You can be the ideal for your child: As your child spend most of the time with you, you can be the perfect ideal for your child. You can have a positive influence on your child and they tend to pick up all the positive traits from you transforming into a person you would like your child to become!

Despite of all the advantages, being a single mom in India is difficult. Single mothers are looked at differently. The societal pressure and judgement often leads to stress and depression amongst single moms. 

Lack of ‘me’ time, being under a constant pressure of giving the best to your child, feeling lonely and juggling between work life and motherhood can be some of the negatives of being a single mom but you learn everyday and everyday you become a better version of your yourself for your child and for your own self!

Single moms often forget the concept of ‘me’ time as they are constantly involved in their children but as important as it is to give the best to your child, it is as important to look after yourself. It’s okay to take a break and think a little about yourself too!

It’s your child and you know the best for her! Let society not pull the amazing mother that you are down! You are working hard for your child to provide the best lifestyle possible and you are doing a wonderful job. Doing everything by yourself is not easy and you tend to feel like giving up but at the end of the day, remember that you are the ideal and role model for you child and others too as not all have the courage to do it alone. Single moms are truly the real life superheroes!