Single parenting teaches children invaluable lessons – Bangalore Mirror
By Kayalvizhi Arivalan
Learnings from single parents on how to raise kids in a responsible manner despite the challenges involved
A 2019-’20 UN Women report titled Progress of the World’s Women states that about 4.5 per cent of Indian households are run by single mothers. This is close to 13 million households in the country. But, to be a solo parent and raise a child – a responsible one at that – is never easy. Here are some first-hand experiences and learnings shared by single parents who have worked to raise their kids in a responsible way.
You’re raising caring individuals
‘Double parents’ – that’s a term many parents raising children alone identify with. Priya Venugopal, founder of the Single Parenting group on Facebook, says she promotes that term as single parents might be single in status but do double the job. “My older son was only seven and the younger was one when my husband and I separated,” reveals Venugopal, a technology integrator with a school for the last two decades. “It has not been easy, but I ensured the boys had a secure and safe environment growing up. Children with single parents learn at a young age that their parent is working double the time to make ends meet. My sons started helping me around the house, doing age-appropriate chores very early; children are intuitive that way. They have a lot of compassion and kindness toward other children. They are also highly independent. By negotiating day-to-day challenges, handling emergencies, and being there for the child, a single parent shows their child that it is possible to live and thrive on one’s own.”
Single moms are also often the sole breadwinners, and kids witness this first hand, so they understand how funds are allotted and learn to never overspend on unnecessary things. “My sons have seen me navigating through life independently and with dignity, and they stand by me through thick and thin,” adds Venugopal.
Single-parent families are also very close-knit. Relationships are more intertwined. Venugopal and her sons are very, very close. The children know their contributions to the family really count and are valuable. This helps raise their sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
You’re leading by example
Single parenting comes with …….