6. I learned that one day, your children will want to be your best friend.
Because my dad is my only parent, he’s the first person I tell anything to. I turn to him first when anything in my life happens-both good or bad, and he’s supported me through anything. Most people say that their moms are their best friends, and I never had that, but my dad was always there in place of that. I learned what kind of parent I want to be by seeing the parent my dad was. I know I want to be the kind of parent my kids can turn to, the way my dad was for me.
7. I learned that life will throw things at you, and it’s up to you to react with positivity and love.
I have seen life throw every possible obstacle at my dad, and I have seen him handle everything with grace and professionalism. My relationship with my mother left me broken, and I watched my dad take on the responsibility of helping me get better, spending nights by my side in the hospital and taking me to countless therapy appointments. Somehow, single parents make everything they do look so effortless. Life will try and hurt you and break you sometimes, but it’s up to you how to react. By my father showing me the grace and positivity he had, I know I can react in a similar fashion and make my life the best it can possibly be.
8. I learned that it’s okay to have insecurities and that you have to move past them in order to succeed.
My dad had no idea that he was going to have to raise both of his daughters alone. He had to learn how to fill the role of both parents in our family both mentally and emotionally, and he honestly doesn’t realize how well he’s adapted to everything. That being said, single parents have so many insecurities about how they’re raising their children. Parents figure things out as they go along, single parents do twice as much. Sometimes they need assurance that they’re doing alright. I’ve been insecure about countless things in my life, but I know that when I doubt myself, I hold myself back.
9. I learned that being strong doesn’t mean that you can’t show emotion.
My dad tried to never let us see him cry. It was a front that he put up because he felt that he needed to always protect us and take care of us, but sometimes even your parents need taking care of. I think single parents try extra hard to be really tough and unfazed by things because they have to handle everything on their own, but they need to know that they’ve done so much for us and it’s okay to show real, raw emotions.
10. I learned the value of sacrifice.
Most parents don’t plan on being single parents, and when it happens, it’s a major shock. They have to change their whole life and focus on raising their children alone, and that’s not easy. If raising children with a partner isn’t easy, imagine how difficult it is doing it alone. Sometimes you have to give up things in life to gain other things that are more important. You can’t have everything in the world, but you can have what matters.