I know I normally share blogs that include data and tips. But, today I’m sharing a short story from one of my college experiences as a single mom. So, here it goes:
An Unexpected Detour
I never imagined I’d be navigating college as a single mom. I was in my late 20s, just starting classes, balancing the excitement of a fresh chapter while raising two little ones—my son and daughter. Then, life hit hard. My kid’s dad left abruptly, and suddenly I was facing the reality of being on my own. No warning, no time to prepare—just me, two kids, and a world of uncertainty.
The weight of it all felt crushing. I questioned myself constantly:
- How was I supposed to keep going?
- How would I finish school?
- How could I make ends meet?
Self-doubt became my daily companion, whispering that I couldn’t juggle it all. And honestly, at times it felt impossible.
The parenting pains were real. Trying to be present for my kids while staying on top of assignments left me feeling like I was failing at everything. My house was full of love but also full of chaos—between tantrums, tears, and deadlines, I barely had time to breathe. It felt like the life I had planned for was slipping further away.
As Optimistic As I Can Be
https://boldbossmom.com/why-more-single-moms-are-going-back-to-college-and-how-theyre-making-it-work/But there was one thing I couldn’t afford to lose—hope. As hard as it was, I kept going, knowing that if I wanted a better future for my kids, I had to push through. I enrolled in a program in child and adolescent psychology, finding strength in the lessons I was learning. Slowly but surely, I discovered that the same struggles I was facing with my own children were teaching me resilience.
There were no shortcuts, no easy solutions. But step by step, I made progress. By the time I was nearing graduation, something amazing happened—I had saved enough to buy a home. Standing in that moment, keys in hand, I realized how far I had come. The challenges didn’t disappear, but I was carving out a life that felt secure, one where my kids and I could thrive.
Turn of Events
Then came the pandemic, and my first year as an elementary school teacher. It was a whirlwind—schools going virtual, the uncertainty of how to teach over a screen, all while managing the pressure of parenting alone in a time of crisis. Those months were tough on everyone, especially single parents and educators. The lines between work, home, and school blurred like never before.
But in all of that uncertainty, I found a new sense of resilience. Everything I had gone through—the heartbreak, the sleepless nights, the balancing act—had prepared me to handle whatever came next. I had built a career that allowed me to be present for my kids, and despite the chaos of that first year, I felt more in control than ever before.
Now, looking back, I see the strength it took to get here. My journey wasn’t what I had planned, but it shaped me into a version of myself I never expected. I’m financially stable, my kids are thriving, and we have a future that feels secure. Through it all, I’ve shown them—and myself—that no matter what life throws at us, we can rise above it. And that’s the greatest lesson I could ever teach.
