What I Have Learned From Being the Single Parent Who Makes Less Money
As a single mom, I have learned the value of money. I don’t need that much to be happy or give my child the things that truly matter. The things that matter to a child can never be bought. While I may not be able to give my child all the material things the other parent who makes more can, I can give the following things:
A Listening Ear and Understanding
By being the parent that is always there, I truly listen to the changing needs and wants of my child. I know when she is no longer into unicorns, that her music now leans towards heavy metal and 1960’s Anti-War anthems, that her hobbies and interests fluctuate given her moods. I know when her favorite color has changed, the latest boy crush she has, and who the girlfriends are who lift her up. By truly listening to my child, I can give her what she truly desires the most in the form of experiences or small gifts, because quantity isn’t what matters. It’s showing them you care and trying your best to truly know them and prove you are listening.
A Secure Place To Call Home
A house is just a house, but a home is what you make it. When you are truly at home, you feel comfortable. It is a place where you can put your feet up, you can be yourself, and you can take some time to clean up your messes, depending on the day you had. My home may not be the most up to date, the biggest, and it may be messy at times, because I work full time, provide all the transportation and do all the chores inside and out. I may not have the funds to pay for a housekeeper or someone to mow my lawn, but we find time to make memories in-between the self-satisfaction of doing it on our own. Our home is a safe space where we can truly be ourselves and a child can thrive and grow and learn independence, by not relying on others to do the hard work for them.
