The challenges and

triumphs of single moms

'Solo parenthood is emotionally draining because I have to make all the
decisions, at times wondering if I am making the right ones'
Carina A. Javier
Published 9:26 AM, May 16, 2015
Updated 9:26 AM, May 16, 2015

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Checking my text and Facebook messages, I see a slew of greetings from fellow
solo parents and colleagues for Mother's Day. I thought it would be nice if I could
treat my sons to lunch or dinner somewhere nice to celebrate this occasion.
My finances, however, would not allow it since the bulk of my meager salary goes
to paying the bills and buying food and other necessities. We have not gone out
as a family for the longest time because I have to adhere to a very tight budget,
and had to contend with other problems as well.

Challenges of solo parenthood

Solo parenthood entails a lot of challenges which we struggle to cope with.

First among these are financial and economic difficulties, which single mothers
face daily. Bringing up children amid rising prices of commodities, tuition fees,
clothes, medicines and vitamin supplements is akin to hurdling an obstacle
course. We have to work really hard while being creative and resourceful to
ensure that our children's needs are met.
Aside from the financial aspect, we also have to contend with the emotional,
physical and psychosocial components of raising our children on our own.
This is especially true during the turbulent adolescent period, when our children
go through hormonal changes which trigger mood swings. Dealing with
teenagers going through the angst and pain of adolescence is doubly difficult for
solo parents, especially when single moms deal with teenage sons, and single
dads interact with teenage daughters.
During these troubled times, we can't help but wish our spouses/partners are still
around to offer guidance and support. Most of the time, we do not even know
what to do and whom to turn to for help.
Solo parenthood is emotionally draining because I have to make all the decisions,
at times wondering if I am making the right ones.
I have to work double time to provide for all the needs of our family, and in the
process, I get to spend too little quality time with my kids, making them think that I
am neglecting them.
It's a no-win situation because while struggling to keep a roof above our heads, to
put food on the table, and to pay educational and other expenses, I also have to
deal with the guilt syndrome. I feel guilty because I want to spend more time with
my sons, yet my job requires me to travel out of town, and to work even on
weekends and holidays. But if I slacken and lose my job, how then can I provide
for them?

When one of my sons gets sick or has a problem, the emotional toll is sometimes
unbearable. I remember when my youngest was hospitalized, I was almost at my
wits' end trying to figure out not only how to pay the hospital bills but how to cope
with the severe emotional pain of seeing my son suffering. As a parent, I wish I
could absorb all his pain.

Guarding our children

The children of solo parents still experience discrimination, particularly in some
private schools that look down on "broken families" or unmarried single moms
and dads. Sometimes, single moms are by-passed for promotion in the
workplace because some employers think that they are not capable of doing the
job well, burdened as they are with the sole responsibility of raising their children.
Then too, there are people (some unenlightened men) who think that single
moms are "easy prey" because they're lonely and desperate for male
companionship. As a result, many and I don't have data to support this single
moms enter into relationships and beget more children. It's a vicious cycle since
the need for meaningful relationships governs all human beings.

Another important and often overlooked challenge in solo parenting is guarding

our children against online predators.
In today's fast-paced, technologically-advanced world, we, single moms, strive to
keep up with our children's online activities, worrying what websites they are
visiting and who they are interacting with in the internet. The perils of
unsupervised Internet use among children and teens are all too real because
cyberspace is full of unsavory characters who prey on young people.
Hence, to keep track of my son's online activities, I created my own social media
accounts and their real and online friends and classmates have become my
friends too.

Small joys and triumphs

On the other hand, solo parenthood is not all pain, hardships and sufferings. We
do have our happy moments.
Every time I go up the stage to pin medals, ribbons and receive certificates of
commendation for my sons' excellent academic performance, I feel a sense of
triumph considering that we achieved this through sheer hard work and
determination.
Sharing my youngest son JM's victories in the field of English Journalism is one
of the highest points of our lives. I vividly recall his joy and excitement when he
made it to the district level of journalism competitions. His forte is sportswriting.
He also won the Spelling Bee contests in their school from first year to third year
high school, and received the award as Outstanding Campus Journalist when he
graduated from high school in 2014.
Graduation days are truly memorable. There is nothing more fulfilling than
marching beside my sons to the tune of the Aida march on their way to receive
their diplomas.

Last April 25, I felt tears of joy slipping down my cheeks as I watched my second
son go up the stage to receive his BS in Computer Science diploma. Sending my
sons to college is a herculean task, considering the escalating tuition fees, prices
of school supplies, miscellaneous fees and just about anything. I watched him
struggle to complete his thesis and other requirements, literally burning the
midnight oil. So as I stood in line with other parents in the entrance of the
graduation venue, I felt my heart soaring with joy.
Of course, there's also sadness as I saw the other graduates with both parents
and complete members of their families in attendance. Although only one parent
was allowed to march with their children, usually the rest of the family including
the extended family members patiently waited outside, while there's just me
and Jun, as in other times with my eldest and youngest sons.
During such times, I feel acutely alone, wishing with all my heart that my sons'
father is still alive to share these wonderful moments with me. With both sets of
grandparents gone and our other relatives living far from us, there's really no one
to be with us, although I try hard to celebrate these special occasions with my
brother, sister, and their children. I want to give my sons a sense of family that
there are other people who care for them.

The role of support groups

Support groups for solo parents play an important role in helping each other cope
with the multi-faceted stresses of solo parenthood. Organized groups in the
communities and workplace serve as our anchor. During our darkest periods, we
invariably turn to one another for comfort and encouragement.

TOGETHER. Single mothers attend the culminating activity of the National Solo Parents Week
Celebration in Quezon City. Photo from Carina Javier

When my father died in January 2014, my officemates and colleagues from the
solo parents support group of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development's central office came to the wake to condole with me. There is also
the joy of interacting with other solo parents associations (SPAs), actively
participating in advocacy activities to further our common cause.
Last April 26, our solo parents group joined the SPAs of the 6 districts of Quezon
City (QC) in celebrating the culminating activity of Solo Parents Week, initiated by
the 4Ks Task Force on Solo Association in coordination with the QC local
government.
The spirit of camaraderie and solidarity binds us in continuously advocating for
the rights and welfare of all solo parents and their children, and pushing for the
amendments to RA 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000.
We are hoping and praying that soon, legislators will take notice and sponsor our
proposed amendments. Only then can we say that our sector is finally being
recognized as needing help.- Rappler.com
Carina Javier is the current president of the DSWD Central Office's Solo Parents
Support Org and an ardent advocate for solo parents and their children's rights
and welfare. A reformed Christian with 3 sons, she is also an Information Officer
III at the DSWD-Social Marketing Service.
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