Motherhood is not easy, especially if you are a single mum.
After having a chat with three of my friends Leila, Kate, and Marie, who are facing the journey of motherhood solo, I realised there are things that most single mothers need people to know.
Here are some of the issues that cropped up from that insightful conversation:
1. They need less judgement and more support
The society tends to be harsh and more judgemental towards a single mother than towards a single father.
If you are keen at how people perceive the two, you will realise a mother who is raising her children single-handedly is viewed as damaged, while a father who is raising his children single-handedly will be praised, and might even hit the news headlines as a dedicated, responsible and loving father.
Supporting them in terms of babysitting, offering to pick their children from schools in case they are held up or taking their children for a playdate goes a long way. It doesn't have to be necessarily financial or massive acts.
2. They are not after your husbands
If anything, they have more responsibility for taking care of their children that they don't have time to chase after people's husbands.
And also, they don't have time to babysit grown men, because nowadays the majority of them behave like babies. They rather devote that time to their children.
3. Don't set them up on blind dates
Unless they ask, don't do it, even if it's coming from a good place.
The fact that they are single mothers doesn't necessarily mean they are hunting or need partners; some even see partners as more baggage.