Sometimes, motherhood can feel like its own world—a shared experience that ties us to others on similar journeys. But for single, working moms, this world isn’t always easy to feel a part of. I know I’m not alone in feeling like I don’t quite fit the mold of the “typical” mom in my social circle. Yet, sometimes, standing apart like this can make me feel invisible in the crowd of moms who seem to have more in common with each other than they do with me.
When I drop my son off at school on Mondays, I see moms gathered around, laughing and chatting about their weekends filled with family dinners, home projects, and husband gripes. I can’t help but feel like an outsider. My weekends are often a blend of work, one-on-one time with my son, and juggling responsibilities on my own. It’s exhausting yet fulfilling, but when I see these moms’ lives filled with partners and routines I can’t relate to, I feel like I exist in an entirely different space.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that we’re all moms, doing our best to raise happy, healthy kids. But sometimes, the things that bond them—complaining about their husbands, swapping chicken casserole recipe ideas—just aren’t things I have much to add to. My experience as a single mom who also happens to be a business owner means my “weekend stories” often revolve around work, organizing life for my little family, and managing without another adult to lean on. I’m sure my own version of mom life sounds as foreign to them as theirs does to me.
What makes this feel even harder is how it highlights just how complex and varied motherhood can be. I wouldn’t trade my journey for anything, but at times, I wish there were more moms in my circle whose lives looked a little more like mine. Being a single mom is rewarding, but the social gaps it creates can make even the most normal school-drop-off morning feel isolating.
So, what’s the solution? I’m not sure yet. Maybe it’s time to seek out more moms who share similar situations, or maybe I need to give myself the space to be okay with feeling different. There’s power in owning my unique version of motherhood, even if it sometimes feels like it sets me apart from the group.
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