One of the greatest challenges of our time is parenting. One of the cardinal reasons why we have increase in some societal crime is as a result of poor parenting. Marriage is not about merriment but is a responsibility to raise children as well. Parenting normally comes with great challenges but it's rewarding at the end of the tunnel. Parenting supposed to involve the two parents however in an event where either the wife or the husband dies one is left to bear every challenge that comes. I prefer two side parenting anyway.
In this post , I would share some life experience of individuals that were brought up by single parent and how far they have gone in life pursuit. Growing up in an environment where most parents I see raised up their children by themselves. This is not a yardstick that everything would be ok for the child because there are some that had both parents but yet ended up not making any relevant imprint in their generation.
Single parent is a situation where one person raises a child or children without the support of another parent. This is becoming common and increasing greatly. Some of the challenges this kind of parenting comes with include;
- financial constraints: In the present harsh economy we have now, things aren't as it were before. Infact for both parents to even fend for their children is not easy how much more when only one person is saddle with such responsibilities? A man in my area had more than ten children. Hunger almost killed all of them, he went and met us in the farm and requested that we allow him and family to weed our farm so that we can pay him some money to cater for his children. I was shocked both himself and the wife came and borrowed half measure of beans before they started weeding. With this I kept imagining what if one of them is death? What would have happened to the children? There's this woman that had only one child before the husband's demise. She managed to take care of the child till secondary school. When he started looking for admissions into the tertiary institution, she started crying for help. This boy is very intelligent but sponsorship was a challenge. His late father was such a hard working man.
- Another challenge assorted with single parenting is that there won't be emotional balance. No matter how either the parent tried can't be the next person. A vacuum has been created therefore filling it would be quite challenging. Every child needs care and love. When the right care and love is not given, it exposes the child to another negative things that could be detrimental to him.
- Social and time management can be quite challenging especially when it comes to school runs. To strike balance could be difficult and overwhelming. Single parent may feel socially discouraged. My late uncle suffered this till he died. His wife first died then got remarried after 19years. His only couldn't enjoy himself. A time came where things were difficult and communication with the son was challenging. The father found it very difficult to relate with him. Just imagine had it been the mother was alive hmmm he wouldn't have lived in isolation.
In as much as single parenting could be challenging however there are few benefits one could depict. Single parenting could be flexible and single parents may learn to be independent. My mother-in-law lost her husband while she was pregnant of the last child. She really poured herself and invested all the available to ensure the upbringing of that child. Today the child is doing wonders.
all pictures are mine.
Let me talk about the double kind of parenting briefly because this is the one that concerns me directly. I had the privilege to be brought up by my both parents. It was an amazing experience because all the needed care and love from mother and father was passed to me. They affected my social and spiritual life positively. They were always there to ensure i grew according to the pattern they wanted with such love, affection etc.
CONCLUSION
Parenting can be challenging but it worth giving it all the best whether single or both.
Thanks for reading through.
