What I Wish People Knew About Being a Single Parent

Being a single parent isn’t just a relationship status. It’s an identity, a challenge, and a source of strength. Every day, single parents carry a weight most people never have to think about. It’s not always dramatic, and it’s not always a crisis, but it is always real.

I created Single Parent Bible because I know this life firsthand. I know what it’s like to be both the comforter and the disciplinarian. The breadwinner and the bedtime story reader. The one who celebrates milestones and the one who worries late into the night. And I want to share, in honest and practical terms, what I wish more people understood about this path.

Whether you’re a single parent yourself, someone who loves one, or simply someone who wants to understand, here’s what you need to know.

1. We Don’t Have Backup

When the daycare closes suddenly, or a child wakes up with a fever, or the car breaks down on the way to work, we don’t have a built-in partner to call. Every problem becomes a solo mission. Every emergency gets filtered through the reality of “Can I handle this and still meet all the other responsibilities on my plate?”

There’s no trade-off. No one to say, “I’ll grab dinner, you rest.” That lack of backup is one of the most constant, quiet stressors we face.

2. Our Lives Don’t Pause Because We’re Struggling

It’s easy to assume single parents should just “take a break” or “ask for help.” But bills still arrive, jobs still expect us to show up, and our kids still need emotional and physical care, no matter how exhausted we are.

There is no pause button. We hustle through grief, through breakups, through medical scares and burnout because stopping simply isn’t an option.

3. It’s Not Just About Money, But Yes, Money Is Tight

Financial pressure is real. Many single parents live on one income but face the same expenses as a two-parent household. Rent, daycare, groceries, after-school programs, these don’t get cheaper just because there’s only one adult.

Even middle-class single parents often feel the pinch. Without shared income or support, every dollar is stretched thin. Budgeting becomes a survival skill.

4. We Are Not Looking for Pity

We’re proud. We’re capable. And while we may struggle at times, we’re not broken. We don’t want sympathy. We want respect.

Too often, the label “single parent” is treated as a red flag or a tragic footnote. But single parents are some of the most resourceful, loving, and committed people you’ll ever meet.

5. We Need a Community, Not Just Compliments

Telling a single mom or dad, “You’re amazing, I don’t know how you do it” might be well-meaning, but it isn’t enough. What we really need is connection. Real support. Someone to watch the kids for an hour. Someone to listen. Someone to show up.

Compliments feel nice, but practical help and sincere friendship are what truly make a difference.

6. We Miss Rest More Than Romance

Yes, companionship is hard to find when you’re raising children alone, but more often than not, what we really crave is rest. Mental rest. Physical rest. Emotional rest.

Imagine making every decision alone. Answering every question. Being the only one who can get up in the middle of the night. Romance might be nice, but sleep is often higher on the wish list.

7. Systems Are Built for Two-Parent Homes

From insurance forms to school events to government assistance programs, most systems still assume two adults are in the picture. There’s an unspoken assumption that someone else is helping.

Whether it’s family memberships, work-life balance policies, or tax codes, being a single parent often means doing twice the work while getting half the support.

8. We’re Not Failing, We’re Doing the Work of Two

The house might be messy. The lunches might be simple. We might forget a field trip slip now and then. But that doesn’t mean we’re failing.

We’re carrying the mental load of two people. We’re managing schedules, income, schoolwork, healthcare, emotional needs, and our own wellbeing. When we fall short, it’s not because we’re careless. It’s because we’re human.

9. We’re Teaching Our Kids Strength, Empathy, and Resilience

Single parenting isn’t just about getting through the day. It’s about modeling persistence. Our kids see us problem-solve. They see us love unconditionally, even when we’re tired. They learn what it means to show up every day, even when it’s hard.

That’s not a deficit, it’s a lesson in resilience they’ll carry for life.

10. We Still Celebrate the Joy

There are hard days, yes. But there are also beautiful, goofy, heartwarming moments. The bedtime giggles. The kitchen dance parties. The handmade cards that say, “You’re the best parent ever.”

We get those too. And we treasure them all the more because we know how hard we’ve worked to create those moments.

How You Can Support a Single Parent Today

If you’re not a single parent yourself, here are a few ways you can genuinely help:

• Offer to run an errand or babysit
• Invite them (and their kids) for dinner
• Ask what they need instead of guessing
• Be understanding when they cancel plans
• Share resources, not just advice
• Avoid judgment, every situation is different

Share Your Story

Are you a single parent? What do you wish people knew?

I’d love to hear your experience. You can email me at admin@singleparentbible.com or send me a message on our contact page. Your voice matters, and your story can help others feel less alone.

If this post resonated with you, share it. Post it to your timeline. Email it to a friend. Let’s raise awareness, build empathy, and strengthen our community.

You are not alone. Whether you’re navigating life solo by choice, by circumstance, or by surprise… this space is for you. The work you’re doing matters, and so do you.

With love,

Eryndor
Founder, Single Parent Bible