I’m worn out. It’s not just physical fatigue; it’s a deep mental exhaustion. Each day, I feel like another burden is piled onto my shoulders, making it hard to stand tall. As a single mother, I often yearn for someone to help lighten the load, or at least give me a moment to set it down. Unfortunately, that’s not an option for me.
Single moms are expected to juggle everything, all the time, without a break. We can’t truly relax because we are our own support system, and our children rely solely on us. Friends often tell me, “I don’t know how you manage it all.” While I appreciate their concern, the reality is that if I don’t take care of things, no one else will. Whether it’s grocery shopping, preparing meals, or managing finances, it all falls on me. Since my son was born, I’ve had to seek out flexible jobs because full-time childcare was simply out of reach, and my network couldn’t provide consistent care.
Currently, I work as a freelance writer, which adds another layer of hustle to my already packed schedule. For a period, I was working nearly every day while my son was not yet in preschool. Sure, I’m fortunate to work from home, but that doesn’t make it easy to concentrate when my little one is climbing on me like I’m some kind of play structure. Often, I have to pause my work to take him to the playground so he can burn off energy and enjoy some quality time together.
The constant financial strain of being a single parent and freelancer means I’m always on edge about money. I have one reliable job, but I still find myself juggling different tasks and worrying about when payments will arrive. It turns into a balancing act of which bills to pay first. Rent, utilities, and internet — a necessity for my work — take priority. While some may think of the internet as a luxury, it’s essential for my livelihood.
Small expenses are manageable, especially since I qualify for SNAP benefits, which helps ease my grocery costs and significantly reduces my stress. My son, who is now four and nearly four feet tall, has an insatiable appetite, so I’m constantly feeding him.
People often ask why my son’s father isn’t more involved. The truth is, he works almost as much as I do. He tries to help when he can, taking our son to the playground or school occasionally, but when my son is with him, I’m not enjoying a moment of downtime. I’m running errands or catching up on work to meet deadlines.
Some may argue that having his dad around means I’m not a true single mom. However, with only a few hours of help each week, I handle nearly all the childcare responsibilities and bear almost all the financial weight. So those opinions? I don’t have time for them. I am undeniably a single mother.
“You’re so strong,” they say. But honestly, I’m tired of being strong. I didn’t choose this; I’m strong out of necessity. I would love to have a partner who notices when I’m overwhelmed and encourages me to take a break, even if it’s just a trip to Target. I long for the luxury of a peaceful shower without worrying about what my son is up to or the chance to enjoy a movie together without interruptions.
I’m exhausted from pretending everything’s fine when inside, I’m crumbling. I wish I could express how I really feel when someone asks how I’m doing, but I don’t want to add to anyone else’s worries. I carry enough emotional baggage as it is.
I’m fatigued from feeling too drained to date. I’m weary of being everything for myself and my son. I resent being told I’m strong as if I have any choice in the matter. If I falter, everything could collapse, and I’ve fought too hard to let that happen now.
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In summary, being a single mom is a continuous balancing act filled with emotional and physical demands. The perception of strength often overlooks the exhaustion that lies beneath the surface. I want to be strong, but I also want to be supported and understood.
Keyphrase: Exhausted Single Mom
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