Woman shares the hardest parts of being a single mom leaving the internet in tears

Being a parent is no mean feat. It gets even more challenging when a person is a single parent and has to take on all the responsibilities. They also have to ensure their child is safe and happy and does not have to feel the effects of their situation. Although many people do it effortlessly, as what appears to the world, it can be quite a difficult thing to be a single parent. Similarly, Carly Harris—who goes by @iamthefitmummy on Instagram—shared the hardest parts of being a single mom and it is truly tearjerking. She shared some snippets from her life.

"Being the parent who has to make adaptations to their job when their child is ill," the mom wrote, sharing the first hard thing. "Sleepless nights with no opportunity to recover" was the next thing. Nobody to lean on when she reached her breaking point was another thing she faced. "Having to look after everything and everyone on your own," Harris shared. "Maintaining a house and being a top-of-life admin for everything." One income is another challenging aspect of a single mom's life. "Trying to make sure your children's needs are met." She added, "Making sure that they have the best childhood to look back on."

Loneliness is another big and difficult part of Harris's life. "Hoping you don't leave your children with any trauma that they would carry into adulthood," the video concluded. In an interview with Newsweek, the 36-year-old said that sharing her experience with the online community was beneficial for her and might also help other single moms who feel the same. "Seeing your feelings validated and knowing other people are experiencing them can be really helpful when going through a difficult time." She continued, "When you're deprived of sleep and you might want to be calm, sometimes you can snap or not gentle parent how you might like to. Sometimes, you need someone to tap out to so you can regulate your own emotions, but we don't have that."

"It's hard to juggle all the spinning plates of motherhood and sometimes we drop some, [such as] messaging back in the group chat or replying to a message from a friend, as something might have happened like a tantrum or your child climbing onto you and before you know it, you've forgotten," the mom expressed. "Check in with your single mom friends. Their evenings are often on their own when their children are in bed and stuck in a mundane routine of cleaning and working as that's the only time to fit it all in," she suggested. People took to the comments to share their experiences.

@saffahayley wrote, "I felt this. Not having a sounding board to help you make better decisions or just a hug when needed!" @kirbydee3713 commented, "It sucks. Then I remember I have friends who are married and living that life, so I'd rather be single than have to carry a partner." @hanren2805 remarked, "So true. But eight years down the line and I love the life I have with my 11-year-old daughter. She's my best friend and my reason for everything. It's tough with her dad. He doesn't communicate about anything, but I know I get the best of the time with her and he doesn't and that's down to him, not me."

You can follow Carly Harris (@iamthefitmummy) on Instagram for more lifestyle content.