From Paired to Single Parent: The Weight of Doing It Alone

Dear God,

Somethings are out of my hands. I am grateful for the closed doors and even more for the opened ones. Thank you for covering me. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for ensuring my path is made easy.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

There was a time when our home echoed with the rhythm of two parents navigating life together. The mornings were filled with the hustle of shared responsibilities—one making breakfast while the other packed lunches. If I couldn’t make it to an appointment, dad could. If one of us was tired, the other could pick up the slack. There was a balance, a partnership.

But now, as a single parent, that rhythm has changed—and some days, it feels like I’m dancing alone to a song that never ends. My son loves the movie Vivo where the song is Dance to the Beat of My Own Drum! That’s me!

These days, every doctor’s appointment, every school meeting, every late-night fever or early morning meltdown—it all falls on me. Taking a day off work is no longer a shared decision; it’s a sacrifice. When one of the kids is sick or a form is due, it means rearranging my entire schedule, often at the expense of my own rest or income.

The financial pressure alone can feel suffocating. The cost of living hasn’t slowed down, but now it’s only one income carrying the weight. Groceries, childcare, bills, school supplies, and everything in between—it adds up quickly. And when there’s no second parent to split the load, there’s also no one to split the stress.

I never imagined I’d be doing this alone. Not because I didn’t believe I could—but because I never wanted to. I wanted my children to always have the comfort of seeing both their parents under one roof…something I didn’t have the joy of experiencing. I wanted shared laughter, shared discipline, and shared memories.

The truth is, life has a way of changing. In the past, I may have grieved the partnership I lost, but now I stand in the strength I’ve gained—strength I never knew I had, a deeper bond with my children, and a heart that still shows up, even when it’s tired.”

Being a single parent isn’t just a role—it’s a marathon of love, grit, and grace. And while the journey may be harder, I know that the love I give, the sacrifices I make, and the prayers I whisper late at night… they’re building something strong, something sacred.

To every other parent walking this road—you’re not alone. We may carry more, but we also love deeper. And that love is enough to carry us through.

With love faith and grace,

Simply Shaye ❤️