Courtney

What is it like to be a single parent?

It can be rewarding and it can be extremely stressful. Being a single mom, having to work full time, and having to take care of your child can be stressful.

Tell me about your happy moments/triumphs.

Just recently in her daycare, they skipped her to the third-grade level. Because she knows her numbers to 100; she knows her name. She knows the days of the week, the colors, and the shapes. That to me was rewarding because I read to her every night since she was born. I take pride in teaching her everything that she needs to know.

Tell me about your struggles and/or sacrifices.

Time and being able to invest in yourself. I've recently let a job know during the interview process that my daughter comes first, but they wanted me to stay until 10 o'clock at night, with a child. You cannot do that, especially when you're a single parent. You have to pick them up, drop them off; you have to do too much. So, I'm staying in my current position. Jobs are going to come and go. But she needs me.

What wishes or aspirations do you have for your child?

I want her to know that this world is hers. I want her to be protected, put God first through everything. I want her to focus on school and I want her to be whatever she wants to be. If she wants to be a scientist, she's going to be a scientist. If she wants to be an astronaut, a doctor, a lawyer; she can do anything she wants to.

Describe being a single parent in one word.

Meaningful. I feel blessed to have somebody who loves me unconditionally and that I can provide for. And at the end of the day, it's meaningful. It fills me with joy. It's a purpose.