Melisa

What is it like to be a single parent?

I feel like being a single parent means being there one hundred percent, no matter what. Since you have to be there one hundred percent, it's first them and then it's you. I feel like you have more responsibility with them because you have to do pretty much everything for them.

Tell me about your happy moments/triumphs.

For me, one of the happy moments was being able to provide a home for them. And what do I mean by home? I don't mean a house like the material thing. I mean security and stability. So being able to provide that for my kids, it's a win.

Tell me about your struggles and/or sacrifices.

Well, you're the one responsible for them being alive. And sometimes you have to be strong, even though you feel like you want to cry. Sometimes you feel like you don't want to wake up and you have to be strong and you have to wake up. Even if you're upset, you just have to pretend you're not, because they're depending on you.

Do you have any advice for parents in general?

I would say stop looking for perfection because we all make mistakes, and raising children is a day-by-day thing. Maybe one week something works, maybe the other week, it doesn't work. I mean, they're changing. We keep changing. Each child is different. So, you have to figure it out.

What wishes or aspirations do you have for your child?

I want them to be happy. I want them to choose their own path. I want them to appreciate life.

Describe being a single parent in one word.

Selfless.