Single Moms

You do not feel "grateful" that someone loves you. Not if you understand that you are worthy of that love, anyway.>>>>>>>>>>>>

I wasn't saying to be grateful for someone loving you. In fact, that's why I worded it the way i did. I said be grateful for that person being there for you because ther are people who don't have that. That's all I was saying. I understand it can be hard to be grateful in the midst of problems.

I had an interesting experience about a month ago. I was shopping at Costco with my son and I overheard this couple arguing about something really mundane like whether or not he bought toilet paper. And I thought to myself, stop arguing and look how lucky you are to have each other (to support each other).

I am a true single parent, as I call them, and I know there are others here, but I get so lonely, especially at night, there is no one to talk to, no one to vent to about my day or about my stress at school. It's really difficult. And those are the type of things I was trying to get people to see how lucky they are if they have someone to do those things for them.

Angela ~

Yes, my reply was to the original poster, sorry for the confusion. A lot of times when I am online, I am trying to do 20 other things at the same time. So I wasn't paying 100% attention to what I was doing.

seeing that I agree with what you said. :)>>>>

I appreciate that. I just want people to realize the good things they are blessed with. I do, in fact my mom is taking my son for a few hours today and I am extremely grateful. But in my family we are not good at sharing our emotions, so I plan to thank her in my little speel at graduation. (at graduation everyone writes this little speel, thanking the people in their lives, maybe their study group or something like that).

Angela ~

oops. Sorry Kira. I never have quite figured out how to change that "to" thing, so I usually ignore it. :)

And angelcharm, I can certainly see "appreciating" your partner for a lot of things, but for sticking around? No. That's what you do when you've made a committment. I don't think anyone needs thanks or gratitude for being in a relationship.

I also don't think people in a relationship need to be lectured about appreciating what they have or whatever. Nobody's life is perfect and everyone is entitled to be annoyed now and then, now matter how much they love and appreciate their partner. People are irritating. It's hard to share your space and your life all the time. Fights happen.

I'm a "true" single mom as you put it as well. It's why I made iVillage name the blog "SOLO mom." I do it solo. 2 kids, 8 years, never had a partner. I get it that it can be lonely. I get it that it's tough being the only one to make decisions. I know how hard it is to be the only one who loves your kids. But that doesn't mean that other people who parent differently don't get to have their stresses too. And it doesn't mean that they get to look at my life to make themselves feel better about their own.

Life is what you make it. I think instead of worrying about whether or not other people appreciate what they have, you should look at the positives in your own life and focus on those.

I am completely grateful for having the support system that I have been blessed with. Yes, its strong and completely faitful. Yes, its up lifting and there when I need it, and No its not baby's daddy. I'm dissappointed in him, but not really hurt, or surprised. It just gives me cause to remember all the wounderful people in my life. Then even after all of this is said and done, how can I not give him thanks as well? Hes managed to give me something I didn't even know I needed, until I was handed that amazing news of baby in December. Its the most terrifying thing I have EVER decided to go through with-to keep my little girl. However, I need that little baby more than I ever thought I would. So in a round about way, I'm grateful for that snotty young man, whos living with his ex-again.

Thank You God for all of it, and thank you for helping remind people to be thankful for what they do have.

I think you missed my point. I wasn't saying that people don't get to be stressed. I just wish people would notice that they have it better than some people.

I want to thank everyone who "got it". I really appreciate your responses.

Angela ~