Can single parents have time to enjoy life?

I am a single parent as well. Mostly I enjoyed my life together and always with the company of my son. We always went out for a date its either watching movie outside or dine out. Sometimes we went out for a picnic in the beach or shopping. Even if I am meeting with my friends my son is always with me. Sometimes my friends would complain that I should not bring my son with me next time because my son always complain to go home early or wants us to keep rushing the chit chat so that we could go home. That's how I enjoy my life.

Yes of course, everyone has the right to enjoy life. It's just the issue of time management or how would you handle or divide your time with your kids, your job or your other extra curricular activities.

I've just started to realize this myself. I spent all day - every day tending to my children and their needs. After all, I thought this was my duty. It worked alright for a while but eventually, it took a toll on me as a person, which affects my abilities as a parent. I'm not saying I go out partying every weekend. In fact, I can't really tell you the last time I "partied". But, I find ways to make little slots of time for myself. I shop for fun stuff - when money allows and of course, I still put the financial needs of the family first. I buy movies and books for myself that I find time to enjoy when the kids are in bed. I even make sure that I allow my mom to babysit them once a week or every other week so I can go an do something for a couple of hours. Like go to the movies or out to eat with a friend. It's important for single parents and even parent couples to find time for themselves and each other. It not only improves your quality of life but it also helps you manage the day to day basics of life with children. It teaches them how to balance things in life when they become adults and it helps remind children that their parents are people too - with thoughts, feelings and needs. It's great for everyone.

Hi! There are lots of reasons to enjoy life even if one is a single parent.I don't really think that it would be a hindrance for one's growth and satisfaction in life. It is a fact that being a good parent is difficult much more if single parent but such situation must not end a person's right to have plenty of time enjoying life. It is just a matter of time management and planning. Being with one's child is itself a tremendous reason to enjoy life so one may share the happiness of life with their child.

Good for you...I hope you can continue to enjoy life..

You can really enjoy life though you are a single parent as of now., But maybe after several years, you might feel that something is incomplete. Well, not really sure about this but, i really think you might look for someone to play the role of being your partner in life. Just my opinion. Bydway, im happy that there are people who stay happy though their a single parent.

I have a friend who is a single parent and she said that she doesn't have life anymore. She meant that she doesn't have the time to enjoy. She would just spend the money for her daughter. But i think it's really up to the person if she wants to enjoy or not. If i were a single parent i would not let myself down. I should show to people that i am happy inspite of being a single parent. Single parents should be stronger than before. They should not deprive themselves to be happy.

I've been a single parent for many years now since my divorce. I don't imagine its any different to enjoy life as a child who has both biological parents in the house. When they need some alone time to themselves they find options such as family members or friends to sit for them. A single parent can do the same thing if need be. Your children can be a huge part of that enjoyment you find in life.

Single parents can definitely still enjoy life even when they have responsibilities they have to look into. Worrying will do nothing and so everybody should take the time to indulge on what life has for us in order to enjoy being single parents. Grasping what God has given us will enable us to understand what He wants for us and enjoying life is something he wants all of us to do. Being a parent is not something you should be weary about but it should be a positive outcome to us. So enjoy while we are young even when we are single because we only go thru this life once and we can never go back to the years that will pass us by.

For me they have more in joy time because they want more time no husband to strict by you but the different is no husband only.

I am very happy for you Masmasika! even though you are a single parent, you're still updating to what was happening to our world. Be thankful because not all single parents out there have this good financial condition as you are, ive known many of them that was very workaholic because of the dual responsibility they have, that they have no more time for recreation and enjoyment. I think you made a very good point here, that when you enjoy life, you will be more effective as a parent. Go on with that thinking, take care of your self and your kids, good luck and more power!

yes single parents are also humans and are entitled to have a life too. I am one of them and I work hard for my kids but still enjoy life in my own ways. Me, I love to read too... watch dvds and eat out. So i buy books and magazines, rent and buy dvds and eat out alone or with my kids. These simple things makes me happy. Through these, i enjoy life even I'm a single parent.

hi, i'm a single mother myself and i have all the time to enjoy myself. believe me. it's just a matter of handling the life we are in..

Yes of course. Everyone is deserving to be happy.

I'm not a single parent anymore but was for a few yrs when my kids were little..I was also working full time and goin to school part time BUT I still found time for fun...I would hang out with my friends but the thing I loved to do the most was have friends over with their kids....I still love doing it though living here in the U.S now it really hasnt happened as much...

I agree with you, same here. I think my enjoyment factor is quite "shallow". I go out, go to the malls or get coffee with friends, play games on the computer or surf the net, and that makes me really happy. Having a good time is easy I guess if you one knows how to manage his/her time well. Of course priorities are priorities (and that means responsibilities) but even the least priority on the list is a priority too, so I don't feel guilty making time for myself doing things that I love to do, which makes me happy.

Hello Masmasika, I am a single parent & i enjoy my life....i do agree with everyone in here that being single doesn't mean that we don't enjoy anymore...Basically i do enjoy my life together with my little princess,we do go out to shop,eat & stroll...my daughter,young as she is,she helps me in any way & i do enjoy it too much...simple things makes me enjoy life to the fullest eventhough i'm single