The Challenges of Single Parenting
In Rock Star Mom, Cassandra finds herself in the same situation her mother experienced when she was raising her children – part-time single motherhood. There are a multiple differences, however, between Dad and Nat and their approaches to fatherhood when they are home. That doesn’t mean that both women don’t face a multitude of challenges. The following are some of the common challenges of single parenting.
Parenting Struggles
There’s no one to ask for help: When you’re a single parent, there’s no one to hand the parenting duties off to when you’re tired or sick. The only person you can rely on is you.
The decisions are all on you: While Cassie has the luxury of being able to discuss serious situations with Nat, many decisions fall strictly on her to make in the moment. Perhaps it’s a discipline issue, or a permission slip needs signed for school and it’s due the next day. Whatever it is, she alone must rely on her instincts to decide what to do.
Work-life balance is out of whack: Today, there are jobs with flexible hours and remote work options. This was not the case until recently, forcing single parents to decide between taking time off to be with a child or a paycheck.
Discipline: Children sometimes act out to get their parents’ attention. This makes discipline a challenge.
“…children left on their own with no proper guidance may develop defiant behavior, which inhibits disciplinary measures from a single parent,” Marriage.com explains.
Remind you of Cassie and Vanessa’s high school years?
Emotional Struggles
Doubting your parenting skills: Single parents often doubt whether they are doing a good job. After all, there’s no partner to provide feedback.
“A sense of loneliness and depression can easily set in when they don’t have a close partner with whom they can share the bad and the good times,” George Washington University says.
Accepting you don’t have the family you wanted: Part of moving forward is accepting that the family dynamic is not what you dreamed it would be. In Sexual Awakening, Cassie often pointed out that she didn’t want to end up like her mother. She repeats this sentiment in Rock Star Mom, yet marrying a rock star comes with sacrifices, not having a full-time husband being the biggest sacrifice.
You lose your self identity: With all the responsibilities that fall on single parents, it’s easy to forget who you are as an individual. This also can happen when people are judgmental and do not understand your situation.
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What challenges of single parenting have you or a friend/family member faced? Leave a comment below. Comments close after 90 days.
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Here’s the 4-1-1
This blog is a companion piece to The Rock Star’s Wife, a series about sex, family, and rock & roll. The series has elements of chick lit, romance and erotica and is best compared to The Vagina Monologues for its frank talk of sex and its consequences. The series follows Cassandra from her teenage years into her 40s as she navigates relationships (both romantic and platonic) — all with music playing a prominent roll.
Book four, Rock Star Mom, debuts August 2024: She fell in love with a rock star. Now comes the hard part.
Cassandra needs your help getting her story out. Join the street team to help.
Melina Druga
Melina Druga is a multi-genre author with a lifelong love of music, books and writing. She is the author of the Rock Star's Wife series, six historical fiction novels and nine nonfiction books. Based in the Midwest, Druga lives with her husband, daughter, black cat and CD collection.
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