They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger—but that’s only if we apply the right tools to challenges in life and learn how to conquer them. I have faced all the examples I’m going to list for you. Some I have pushed through with relative ease and others are still a work in progress.
We all experience challenges in life, but here are 3 barriers that single fathers face and how to overcome them.
1. The Unnaturalness of Single Parenting
I believe parenting was created as a two-person system. When one parent is removed from the equation for whatever reason, the full burden falls on the other. You may be caring for your kids completely alone or perhaps with shared custody. Either way, surrounding yourself and your children with other healthy adults to help fill in the gaps is wise. If appropriate, is there a woman who can help mentor your growing daughter? Perhaps there are others you can trust to help carry the weight of childcare, transportation, or other daily needs.
2. Mom and the Courts
Yup, I’m going there. The pain and frustration can cause a downward spiral that can quickly get out of control if not checked early. Whether your situation with Mom ever gets easier, or if the court order doesn’t change, I highly encourage you to remain focused on one thing: parenting your children to the absolute best of your ability for the sake of their long-term growth.
3. Father Wounds
For better or worse, our fathers have a major impact on the ways we view ourselves and the ways we parent our children. Perhaps your own father did not give you his best because he was always working or he wasn’t a generally affectionate man. Are you living with scars from his words or lack of presence in your life? Despite any emotional roadblocks your father left for you. Who can you talk with to begin the healing process now and be free from this barrier once and for all?
