The current estimated amount of single fathers in America is 2 million men but that number rises every year. Single fathers have a hard road ahead of them, especially if they are raising more than one child alone. Some get help from the mothers, perhaps in child support or assistance caring for the kids, but most male parents are on their own. Whether the mother left the family through death or by choice, the burden of caring for the child now rests on the father’s shoulders. The troubles normally shared between two people are now experienced alone.
In addition to finding babysitters to watch their child while they work to survive, they have to consider how to raise their children well. How do they balance supporting the kids financially with being an active parent and bonding with their child. What if the fathers have no one to help them? If they have no family to help guide their children or keep them safe while the father has to work? The one thing that single fathers must learn is how to depend on others for assistance. One man can’t do everything by himself and having someone you trust to help you is vital. The saying it takes a village to raise a child is a good example for those single parents struggling every day.
It’s even harder for fathers with daughters. Can they be both mother and father? Can they play a mothering role and never let their child feel like something is missing? Will they be good enough in the decisions they make? It only gets harder the older girls get. Then the father has to deal with first periods, boyfriends, dresses, makeup, and dealing with female emotions he’s completely clueless about. Asking advice from mothers is good but in the end, you have to trust your own judgement on everything.
There is always joy found in parenting, the little moments of bonding that make the family closer. All single fathers can do is their best to help shape their child into a person with good values.