Being a single parent comes with unique sets of hurdles and obstacles. Besides the financial struggles, single parents are often forced to juggle between jobs, household chores, and raising their children
With no partner to divide responsibilities, single parents have a lot on their plate, but they do everything in their power to provide their children with the best life possible. Sadly, the children don’t always understand what their parents are going through and aren’t grateful for the things, the love, and the sacrifice their moms and dads do for them.
A single mom of two shares a story about her daughter and how she refused to help around the house.Namely, ever since she and her husband divorced, they remained on good terms and decided not to let the issues they had between them interfere in any way with the upbringing of their son and daughter.
The mom shared that she experience difficulties, both in terms of finance and raising her children. Her ex did contribute financially, but it was far from enough.On top of that, her daughter, who was 15, refused to help with anything around the house. She didn’t show any interest in helping with her younger brother too.Not being able to cope with her daughter’s reckless behavior any longer, the mom decided to talk to her in order to explain to her that being part of a family meant sharing the responsibilities and the load, especially during tough times.
She went to the extent to tell her daughter that if she was not willing to help around the house, she needed to pay rent.The following day, the daughter entered the home together with her father, Carl, who told his ex-wife, “How dare you, she’s a child.”The daughter’s face was grumpy, but that’s when the woman realized that her plan worked, because the daughter was convinced this was a confrontation between her parents, but it was in fact a strategy to teach her a lesson.As she assumed her daughter would complain to her father, the woman called her husband beforehand and told him about her plan, and to her surprise, he decided to play along all for the well-being of his daughter.
She even went so far as to threaten to withhold rent from her daughter if she refused to assist around the house.When the daughter and her father, Carl, arrived home the next day, Carl yelled at his ex-wife, “How dare you, she’s a child.”The mother recognized that her plan had succeeded when she saw the grumpy expression on her daughter’s face. The daughter was certain that this was a fight between her parents, but it was actually a tactic to discipline her.The woman called her husband in advance to explain her plan since she thought her daughter would complain to her father. To her surprise, he agreed to comply for his daughter’s sake.
In front of their daughter, the parents got into a furious dispute until the mother feigned to faint.Although she was unable to observe her daughter’s response, her ex claims that their kid was quite terrified. The father then informed her that although he would be bringing her and her brother with him, she would have to assume the duties she had been avoiding at her mother’s house.At that point, the girl threw herself on top of her mother and began to embrace her.After the show ended, the woman and her ex had a candid discussion with their daughter, explaining to her the significance of her understanding her place in the home and Not only the daughter promised to do certain chores around the house and help with her little brother if needed, but she also apologized to her mom for her behavior.The change that followed in the days to come was incredible, and definitely a positive one.This story is a proof that we should never underestimate the power of open communication and mutual understanding. This, along with shared parenting values, leads to healthy relationships and healthy children.