Balancing Act

The middle spot could be a difficult place to be. You don’t want to be in the middle seat in an airplane. The aisle seat is the best place because it is roomy or the window seat is better because of the nice take-off and landing view.   The middle school is an awkward place to be as it takes you off the carefree of elementary education and the growing independence of being in high school. In the same way, the middle child will most likely experience more stress than his siblings. The eldest enjoyed the undivided attention of the parents while the youngest is considered the baby in the family, is favored and is most likely spoiled.

Similarly, a single mom experiences stress as she balances her role in the middle as financial provider and raising her kids as mom.

Making the Most of Your Balancing Act Role
Though truly stressful, a single mom must make the most of her balancing role.  Making the most of your balancing role requires that you treat your new role as an opportunity to learn new things, grow more mature and independent. I guarantee that if you make the most of your balancing role, you will learn more things about yourself and discover your capabilities. The challenges you will face will give birth to a different you.

The Tension Challenge
You will experience pressure as you balance your role as the provider and the disciplinarian dad versus the caring and spoiler mom.  This is a tough balancing act because of the difficulty it will pose on your kids and the resistance you will most likely receive from them. They will find it difficult to adjust seeing less of you at home and resist your demands for help in the house work and their understanding of your situation.   You will be caught in between being strict with your rules and giving in to their wishes and whims.  But once you overcome this tension challenge you will become a better person.  You will learn to be stronger in facing the emotional issues in life and will become more firm in your decision making.  Most of all, you will be able to train your children to become responsible at an earlier time than most of their peers.

The Frustration Challenge
Sometimes despite all your efforts you can’t seem to steer your kids in the right direction.  You are facing a huge battle with their peers and their environment.  At this stage you must not feel frustrated but challenged to continue to fulfill your role to the best of your ability.  In time, your kids will understand and appreciate your efforts.  In time, they will realize all the sacrifices you’ve done for them.

In many areas of life, the middle is the most difficult and uneasy place to be.  But as a single mom, you are left with no choice. You are caught in the middle and is tasked to fill-in the shoes of dad.  You need to perform a balancing act to raise good kids.