#SingleMomChronicles: Regret, But Not Really

So many stipulations and unspoken rules are imposed on us single moms. Like there is a whole society dedicated to that or something. We are supposed to work full time, cook, have a clean house, be in shape, have our hair done and smile at like, all times. Come on, give me a break! That is crazy and super unrealistic. Just because there are some people in this world that call me "mom", doesn't mean I am not just a regular person. I hate feeling like I am being held to a different, often higher standard. Why? I really would LOVE to know. No one know though.

We women are shamed mercilessly for venting about any aspect of motherhood. As I have said before, *SCREAMS* we are people too! Sheesh...

MOM: I am so tired. The kids just would not sit still today. They ran all day long. They left the house a wreck too.

SOCIETY: You shouldn't have had children. Motherhood is beautiful! How dare you complain! There are people in the world that can't have children!

MOM: I wish I could get a break, between work and the kids...

SOCIETY: You shouldn't have had children. Motherhood is beautiful! How dare you complain! There are people in the world that can't have children!

MOM: I am so sad and I am so overwhelmed. I have no one to talk to...

SOCIETY: Shouldn't have had children. Motherhood is beautiful! How dare you complain! There are people in the world that can't have children!

With all due respect: please be quiet. No, better yet, shut up! As a single mom, I do whatever is best for me and my household. Let me give you a good example: I had started letting my children stay up until like 2 or 3 in the morning so that they would hopefully sleep longer or later in the day time. I did this because I had started working night shifts. My shifts were 12 hours. Yeah, I just said that. I worked up to 5 days a week. I was so exhausted from being up all night for work, then coming home and staying awake half of the day because my kids needed me for different things. I passed out at my station at work one night. My mom would stay at my house overnight with the kids to watch them for me. She had to leave as soon as I got there though. She had to leave right away because she had to take my dad to work and handle her own daytime things. Society says that my children should be in bed by 8 pm every night. That doesn't work for me. I actually beat myself up for some time because I thought I was being a bad mother.That is a horrible feeling, let me tell you. My children got the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep though. The time span of those hours was just different. They got their sleep though. My children were fed. My children were clothed and they had a place to live. They were good. My children are always good, regardless of the circumstances. I will conclude with this: Don't be so hard on yourself mama. The world is already hard enough on us all. There are already plenty of people and things out here working against you, things trying to tear you down or deter you. Be on your side. Be your biggest fan. Our kids are rooting for us too. We got this girl!

As always, I hope this helps or inspires someone. Until next time mamas!

*MUAH*