I have great admiration for single parents and believe they can raise successful children. Let’s be honest, it’s not something that’s easy to do. But .. it is also not impossible!
In this post, we look at the role of single parents, particularly in my own experiences, with my mom. She was a single parent even while we lived with my father, as a family. She encouraged me to follow my dreams, to think for myself and I believe she raised a successful child. Me!
How Do You Define Success
For me, success is an inward journey, not for the world to see. It is a reflection of a positive outcome I achieved. I’m the only person accountable for the choices I make in life.
Ultimately, one important skill I learned, to survive, is the ability to solve problems or figure out my game plan through any challenges presented to us.
I’ve nearly given up on life many times, but endured because my mother stood by me through it all. She gave me her full support even when I was a pain. Today my wise mentor plays a huge role in my family constantly giving her unconditional love and full support to my husband and children. And I’m so grateful, she never gave up on me.
My Salute to Single Parents
My mom will celebrate her 92nd birthday in April this year. I used to live in Singapore where being a single parent was considered a taboo, yet that didn’t bother her. She took on the challenge to raise me.
And my mom humbly carried herself. She raised me using the best of her abilities, in the hope that I make a better future for myself. Reflecting on our struggles, I saw a bigger picture, of my life where everything happened for a reason. Right from the very beginning, I tried to become a better version of myself.
What Single Parents Go Through to Raise a Successful Child
I never knew my father even though we lived in the same house. He became the shadow that brought fear in me. From my childhood years, he was the stranger in our home.
I watched my mom gracefully endure a hard life without ever complaining. She taught me patience, self respect and why I’m the only person responsible for my life.
When we had no money to pay our bills and put food on the table, she believed we would get through those hard times. And everything worked in our favor.
Raising a successful child requires spending quality time listening to their fears and helping them express those trapped emotions.
Problems Single Parents Face in Society
In Singapore, during the 1970s, society was less open to single parenting. It was assumed that because children were raised by single parents, they were often rebels. Either these children didn’t listen or their disobedience made them difficult to deal with. And the reason behind this type of behavior is — Oh, she comes from a broken home! Surely she is a troubled child! Keep away from that type of friends!
Mom heard a lot more than me but she ignored them and continued to encourage me with her Gentle Whispers.
We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Joseph Campbel, The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Everything Happens for a Reason
Meant to be is a coming of age memoir about a young girls’ unbreakable spirit to survive amidst family violence, loyalty and betrayal after being kicked out from home. It’s perfect for readers who love stories about finding resilience to overcome adversity.
Her circumstances led to a path in the unknown where she learned to believe in herself. And with grit and determination she reclaims her life, rebuild self trust and regain career stability. Meant to Be is my debut memoir, fully completed and I’m pitching to literary agents.
And this is why I have great admiration for single parents who give their full support to raise successful children. If this post resonates with you—perhaps you share a turbulent upbringing or a joyful relationship with your parents, respect that journey because somehow it brought you here.
If this post resonates with you, why not signup to my email list. Fill in your details and you can download and read deleted scenes from my memoir and get updates on any new blog post.
