The Shift in Family Dynamics
When you were born in the 1900s, as your oldest likes to say, you were not “alone.” You were raised by your mother and father. 16 months later, your sister was born, and you lived this way until you were 12. But the dynamics of your family would shift before you became a teen.
The Impact of Loss
Four months before your birthday, your father passed. He had been living with a brain aneurysm and it ruptured. He was just 39 years of age. Your mother, unable to cope with the trauma, regressed. She endured years of difficulties before she too died. She was 65. And you and your sister? You live several states away. Distance (and circumstance) has caused you to drift apart.
Challenges of Parenting Alone
With most of your family members gone, childrearing becomes difficult without a support system. You find yourself lacking roots and a foundation, being the rock and the anchor for your family.
The Emotional Struggle
Being on your own not only poses logistical challenges but also emotional ones. There is exhaustion, burnout, and guilt. You feel lonely and wish you had someone to turn to for guidance, love, and support.
Building Roots and Creating Legacy
Building roots from the ground up involves soul-searching, self-reflection, and creating new traditions for your family. Monkey bread on Thanksgiving and matching pajamas on Christmas morning become part of your family’s legacy, bridging the gap between yesterday and tomorrow.
For more information on building roots and family traditions, visit here.
Strength and Independence
Parenting without a village has made you strong and independent. Your core values have strengthened, and you have become confident in your parenting skills. Despite the challenges, you have learned how to course correct and admit when you make mistakes.
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