1. You do not have any middle ground
You are not appeasing two sides to gain advantage and skimming something out to get a deal. You are stuck with one angle, one dimension, and one deal only. And that deal is handed by a single parent. You can’t hide behind the, “But I asked Dad and he said…” excuse when you are in a single parent home.
2. You have to learn fast
There is no room to be pampered or spoon-fed. You have to understand and quickly adapt to your responsibilities in the house, whether you are the middle child, first, or the last child. Every member of the family has their own unique role in the family that could include more responsibilities.
3. You simply have to be responsible
Yes…if you wanted to you could do a lot of things to bother your parent. But you understand that there is so much on his/her table that you have to learn to appease and act responsibly instead.
4. You don’t have too many options
A single parent is a single parent. There is no good cop and bad cop in between. You have to deal with what you have and complain less. If your mom says “no”, her ruling is most likely to be final.
5. You have income to keep the family going
There is nothing to make any financial balance or to support the income of your single parent. To keep the family going, you have to adjust and know that the money is coming only from one source.
6. You have to be concerned about their emotional stability
It is not about you who are around her. It is tough to handle things emotionally as a single parent. You have to know this and give them the opportunity to enjoy a piece of their life without you.
7. You end up feeling proud
After growing up with a single parent, you feel proud of the dynamic you have accomplished. Your achievements are shared because the hours you put in as a family are significant. Every celebration is that much more enjoyable after you grow up and look back on both your own and your parent’s accomplishments.
8. You have to be thankful
When you see the sacrifice your single parent is making, it means you have to show appreciation and acknowledge the effort they put in with you every single day. A little bit of thanks goes a long way.
9. You are mocked for having a single parent
Somehow the news get to fly that you have a single parent, perhaps during those school events when only your dad or your mom showed up. Since the world knows you to have a single parent, it is possible that you were targeted for being different.
10. You are part of the decision making process
Somehow, you become involved in the way the home is run. You are quickly engaged in the important decisions of the day-to-day running of the house. In addition, you may even be asked for decorating advice!
11. You wished you had both parents
You see that there is a gap. And you really want that gap to be filled by someone. You may feel that things can be so overwhelming and you want someone to come into the scene and lighten the burden. Although you may not feel this everyday, it will happen.
12. You experience that an open line of communication with your single parent
You are given many details and always being talked to, consulted and somehow you see your single parent in a way no other person can. Once you reach a certain level of understanding, it can be refreshing.
13. You are positive
It is disappointing to only have a single parent around. But you are positive that things will change no matter what. And possibly you want to be part of that change and want to help improve the situation. There is always a bright side!
14. You grow up to become protective of your single parent
Growing up doesn’t mean you shy away from what you are supposed to do in the home. Rather you take up the mantle to protect your single parent as they grow older. They raised you and it is your return duty to them!
15. You are tough
The intensity and the rigors of having a single parent makes you tough. If you grew up with a single parent, you are more resilient professionally and personally. Featured photo credit: http://www.pixabay.com via pixabay.com
