Being a single mom means I’ve had to wear a thousand different hats, all while keeping the world from seeing how heavy they can be. There are days when it feels like I’m juggling the roles of nurturer, provider, protector, and teacher all at once, with no manual to guide me. Every morning, I wake up with the weight of responsibility—knowing that it’s up to me to ensure my children are safe, loved, and provided for.

I became the one who comforted them when they were scared, the one who helped with homework, the one who soothed their fears when the world felt too big. I became the breadwinner, working long hours, sometimes sacrificing my own needs so that they could have everything they deserved. I became the protector, standing firm against whatever challenges came our way, doing everything I could to make sure they never felt alone.

But through all the chaos and the pressure, I’ve learned something profound: being a single mom has taught me the power of resilience. It has taught me that even on the hardest days, I have the strength to keep going. It has shown me that I am capable of more than I ever thought possible. And more importantly, it has shown my children that no matter what life throws at us, we will rise together.

I may be doing it all alone, but I’m not alone in this journey. My children are growing up in an environment where strength, perseverance, and independence are modeled daily. I am teaching them that it’s okay to ask for help when needed, but it’s also essential to stand on your own two feet and rise above adversity. Through the struggles we face, they are learning that their worth is not defined by circumstances or setbacks. It’s defined by their ability to keep going, no matter how tough life gets.

Some days, I feel exhausted. Some days, I feel like I’m failing. But when I look at my children—seeing their laughter, their strength, their determination—I know that I am doing exactly what I was meant to do. I am raising resilient, independent individuals who will know that they are capable of handling anything life throws their way, because they saw their mother do it first.