Being a single parent comes with plenty of challenges and tests your strength, even on the good days. Parenting alone means you barely get time for yourself between work, getting your child ready for school, helping them with homework, and doing chores.
Everything revolves around your child as a single mom or dad because no one else will care for them. They’re your whole world, and you must bear the responsibility of raising them. Even married couples struggle with child rearing, so being a single parent isn’t for the faint of heart.
Of course, most people don’t choose to raise a child alone, but many parents find themselves in this situation today. According to a Pew Research Center study, about a quarter of US children (23%) under eighteen live in single-parent households.
Single parents make monumental sacrifices to ensure their children have a stable home life and bright future. Many take second or third jobs to keep a roof over their child’s head and food on the table. The parent may not have envisioned that life for themselves, but they do whatever it takes for their kids.
Below, we will share a few stories about single parents’ struggles, joys, and experiences.
20 Tweets That Perfectly Capture Life As a Single Parent
1 – Any single parent can relate to this woman’s experience. Kids need nurturing AND boundaries, but it’s not always easy to strike that balance.
#SINGLEMOMLIFE Discipline my son. He throws a tantrum. He calms down. He’s forced to come to me for comfort afterwards. #imgoodcopandbadcop
— Nikki (@Tristensmama65) June 15, 2015
2 – Family comes first, including the pack’s four-legged friends. Who needs a boyfriend when you have a dog, anyway?
G: I don’t want you to get a boyfriend
Me: Do you want me to be alone forever?
G: Well…you got Beaux#singlemomlife pic.twitter.com/S4bgwBzPrw— Melanie LaRae (@asap_melanie_) April 28, 2015
3 – To single parents with sick kids, we feel your pain. But you can’t complain about the extra cuddles!
Day 4 with a sick kid. Winning in the cuddles department. Losing on the “getting anything else done” front. #singlemomlife
— Cassandra Dunn (@cassdunn) May 29, 2015
4 – This parent deserves an award or perhaps a plate of cookies for this achievement. Being a single parent involves a lot of multitasking, and it seems like this mom mastered that skill quickly! As anyone with a teenager can affirm, the most brutal years have yet to come, though.
When you can use the bathroom while holding baby in your arms. #skills #singlemomlife
— patty (@pattyduh) July 22, 2015
5 – Everyone wants inner peace, but it seems to elude them most of the time. For single parents especially, any second of tranquility comes as a welcome respite from the demands of parenthood.
It’s been one of those days! #isitbedtimeyet #zen #SingleMomLife pic.twitter.com/pg5nSj0sU9
— Karen Geraci (@Karelight) May 27, 2015
6 – Dads often get overlooked when it comes to the challenges of single parenting. This dad deserves recognition after driving 240 miles in one day to support his child.
school closing means 120
Miles to grandmas and back on icy roads so I can make 72 bucks Then another 120 miles after work. #Singledadlife— Stephen Haney (@stephenahaney) February 24, 2015
7 – Graduating from college marks a considerable accomplishment in anyone’s life. As a single parent, it’s an even more significant cause for celebration.
#faugrad @fauselfie @FAUpresident #singlemomlife pic.twitter.com/qYrVL9arKw
— Olivia Turner (@324Olivia) April 30, 2015
8. Not everyone enjoys the single life. But sometimes, it’s better to focus on yourself and your child and avoid all the drama.
I like being single. I get more shit done when I'm not worrying about anybody but me and my son #singlemomlife
— ✨LuLaRoe Summer & Jon Smith (@iamfearlesss) May 18, 2015
9 – Single parents know that raising a child requires plenty of multitasking. Doing eight things at once doesn’t seem so crazy when you have kids!
Watching Platoon and folding laundry at the same time. #singledadlife
— Dave Samuelson (@Sammy5843) June 20, 2015
10 – You never have enough hours in the day as a parent. After a while, getting five hours of sleep a night starts to seem normal.
Everyday I say I need to get to bed earlier and every night I look at the clock and its 11:30/12:00, where does the time go?! #singlemomlife
— GabrielleChenail (@FamDamilyVlogs) April 20, 2015
11 – As a single parent, a kid’s party sounds like your idea of an exciting night out. Who needs those wild parties where you stay up all night and feel like death the next day, anyway?!
When people hit you up to party, and the only parties you ever have are with chucky cheese #SingleMomLife #LoveIt
— AshleyCheyenne23 (@AshCheyenne23) April 25, 2015
12 – It takes a strong woman to deal with two toddlers at the salon! But for many single parents, it’s just the reality of raising children. Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you can’t get your nails and hair done, after all!
don’t tell me you “can’t” when I just took two kids under the age of 6 to a salon by myself for 1 1/2 hrs. #singlemomlife
— Brittni Smith (@brittnismithh) June 24, 2015
13 – Being a single mom or dad often means sacrificing solitude to care for the kids. And no, doing errands by yourself doesn’t count as self-care. You never truly get a break from parenting, except on those rare occasions when someone can babysit. It’s a struggle that no one can truly understand unless they’ve walked in your shoes.
This! #singlemomlife I can’t remember the last time I had a break. pic.twitter.com/HGXBejA4Cb
— B (@B_Impossible83) September 9, 2022
14 – Everyone talks about the challenges of raising a child alone, but no one discusses the bond you have with them. They grow up too fast, and you want to savor every precious moment.
Walking with Joshua a few days ago, I mused that a mum never knows the last time they will be needed for reassurance or hugs or hand holding … cue him linking his fingers in mine … I guess it’s not yet … #family #son #growing #mum #singlemomlife #slowdowntime ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HdKsyypb0y
— Victoria (@missfortytwo) September 7, 2022
15 – Parents naturally feel protective about who they allow around their children. So they become more selective when it comes to dating, and for a good reason.
When people ask me why I’m so picky with whom I date #singledadlife pic.twitter.com/SWLjTvzjHV
— Clinton Masitabua (@CMasitabua) June 25, 2022
16 – Most people looked forward to snow days as a kid because that meant no school. When you have kids of your own, though, it’s a different story.
There’s 1/4 inch of snow so my County cancelled school. What do I do with these kids? #singledadlife
— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) December 16, 2019
17 – Most of the single dads out there can probably relate! A trip to Target or the grocery store seems like a fun time in adulthood.
My life for the last 10 years. #SingleDadLife pic.twitter.com/4NlZFSXy0j
— Jake Krueger (@DevilzFartbox) December 4, 2021
18 * These kids know just what dad needs! When you have children, you won’t trade them for anything.
Kid made sure I didn't sleep alone tonight. Just in case I need backup against the closet monsters. Wouldn't trade #singledadlife for any missed party, date, bar crawl.. any of it. pic.twitter.com/uT4O1mUFeu
— Brandon (@CaptPantalones) July 28, 2021
19 – When you’re a single parent, success equals staying organized – especially when cooking meals as a family!
My kids are claiming they are helping me cook Thanksgiving dinner. The job list is up. #singledadlife pic.twitter.com/asEupxO7pZ
— gariovich (@gariovich) October 11, 2020
20 – Only parents can understand the importance of checking on their kids and trying to protect them at all costs. Being obsessive about safety isn’t always bad, especially when it involves young children.
Anyone else burst into their kid’s room to make sure they’re still breathing?! #SingleDadLife
— Prime Time Gav (@GavMack23) July 23, 2022
Single Parent Survival Tips to Make Life Easier
- Keep a budget and put your bills on autopay.
- Take advantage of government programs and grants for single parents.
- Learn to tell your child “no” and set clear boundaries.
- Join support groups for single moms and dads.
- Lean on close family members for support.
- Create a daily routine so that your children have consistency.
- Plan meals in advance.
- Ask your children to help with chores, to give them responsibility and save you time.
- Make time for yourself, even if you only have five or ten minutes alone. Self-care will make you feel better and improve your relationships with your kids!
Final Thoughts on the Realities of Single Parenthood
Unfortunately, being a parent doesn’t come with an instruction manual – you just have to figure it out along the way. As a single parent, learning on your feet takes on a whole different meaning. You have to juggle many responsibilities while penciling in time for yourself occasionally.
Raising a child alone requires many sacrifices, but there’s nothing more rewarding than parenthood. If you’re a single parent, what advice would you give to parents in a similar situation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!