Originally posted on August 12, 2011
We all know that old adage “it takes a village to raise a child”. Well, it takes one to raise a parent as well.
When I found out I was pregnant, I felt so incredibly alone. Sure, single parenthood is the norm now but I never in a million years thought it would be me. I felt like a failure. I had already been through a failed marriage and been laid off and now I was pregnant and alone. I wasn’t really alone but that’s how I felt until I let people in.
You are not alone in parenting. This has been such a huge lesson that consistently shows itself in my life. Asking for help and depending on others is such a huge struggle for me but it’s not just me it affects. Friends, family, mentors, etc have made being a first time parent so much… Easier.
When I made the decision to move back to Atlanta, I wanted to do it alone. I wanted it to be me and my mini on our own. I wanted to be able to do it. But my plan because of my struggles was a different one. I had the pleasure of reuniting with a friend who was in a similar spot as me. The greatest lesson has been able to share our burdens with each other.
I’ve come to her crying so many times as I tried to figure out how I was going to make ends meet or have the strength to make it another day. “I got you” is what she tells me before reminding me that I’m not alone.
As parents we sometimes get so caught up in trying to make things perfect for our children that we forget to create these networks for ourselves. Children aren’t the only ones that are raised, parents are too. And that’s ok.
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