The biggest challenges of raising a child alone

Raising a child alone is a reality for more than 11 million women in Brazil, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). However, many of these women find themselves in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability, which makes raising children more difficult.

Many women considered single mothers combine motherhood with work , studies and other activities aimed at ensuring the support of their children and the emotional support, affection, care and attention that children need.

The reasons that lead women to become single mothers are important. However, thinking about helping all those who go through this challenging journey, we have listed the main challenges of raising a child alone. Keep reading!

Balancing personal life and raising children

The main challenge of single motherhood is balancing personal life with raising children. After all, women are also human beings with dreams and aspirations.

Task overload and responsibility

It is common for there to be an overload of tasks, because in the family structure of a single mother, everything normally falls on her. Thus, fatigue can be frequent, due to the many activities performed, such as picking up from school, bathing, feeding, going to the doctor, among others.

Money may be tight

Financial issues are also another challenge for single mothers, especially in a scenario in which women tend to earn less and hold fewer leadership positions. Thus, maintaining education, personal hygiene, clothing and leisure activities can be a challenge for single mothers.

Restriction of independence

Having children invariably means less independence, because the child needs constant attention and care. Therefore, going out with friends to parties, traveling or even dating can be challenging for single mothers, because the children rely on them for everything.

Children will need to be included in the plans

Single mothers need to include their children in all aspects of their routine, including the simplest plans, such as: “Who will the child stay with if I need to go to the doctor?” or “I want to travel alone, who can my child stay with?” These are some aspects considered by single mothers.

Knowing that there won't always be a support network

Single motherhood means the absence of the father in raising the child, whether emotionally or financially. However, in addition to the absence of a father, the single mother may not have a support network, such as a mother, aunt or close friends who can help.

Missing life before having a child

In the most difficult moments, single mothers may miss their old life, when the child had not yet been born. Less tiredness, stress, more independence and money are points reported in this process. It is common to miss control over one's own time and the feeling of being able to plan one's own life with complete freedom.

Although these are the main challenges, single mothers report that they would not trade their children, love, affection and complicity for anything in the world. Therefore, being flexible makes a difference, as does understanding that this most difficult phase will pass and your child can become your greatest friend or partner.

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