Too many women, faced with the challenges of single parenting, decide to put off their personal life "until the kids are grown."

Too many women, faced with the challenges of single parenting, decide to put off their personal life "until the kids are grown."

Single Mom
By Richard Sides

In college I saw a poster that said, "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle."

What do either of these points have to do with women, children, and Mr. Right? I'm glad you asked.

It seems a lot of singles have the same outlook toward meeting new people as I had about going to college ... it is something you do instead of your "regular" life. Actually, it should be something you do as a regular part of your life!

While this is true for both genders, it is more difficult for single parents. Although I do know men who put their life on hold to raise kids, single-parent/child-rearing issues affect far more women than men.

Then they show up at a dance or dating service saying, "I was busy raising kids before, now it's finally time for me." Better late than never, but it's already later than it should be. You should seriously consider your alternatives now.

Unless there is a family fortune allowing a single parent to remain at home, single families are characterized by a working parent. Although this is not ideal, and often stressful for both the parent and the child, working moms or dads can still spend lots of quality time with their children.

Properly raising a couple of children is tough enough for two parent families. How is a single mom supposed to earn a living, be both parents, and still carve out time to not only find Mr. Right, but actually develop a relationship!?!

Before you start scrambling for your Super Mom hat, ask yourself if you are being realistic when you make your children the focus of your entire life.

Think about this: Flight attendants have a routine for loss of cabin pressure that ends, "Oxygen masks will drop from overhead. If you are traveling with children, put your mask on first, and then assist your children."

Because you can't help them (and they can't help you) if you don't have the oxygen that you need.

Humans, for whatever reason, seem to have a real need for a partner, just like they need oxygen. Perhaps you need to follow the flight attendant's advice and take care of your own needs, too.

Which brings me to the "fish riding a bicycle" poster. Maybe you don't need a man in your life, now or ever. I am certainly not going to throw my dog into that fight!

My point in this article is that if you want a man in your life later, you should get him now.

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