The dirty truth about being a single mom

If I earned money every time a woman said to me that she doesn't think she could ever handle being a single mom, or is glad that she isn't, I would never have to bust my ass at a 40+ hour work week job again.
Let me just start by saying two things:
One - it is extremely insulting to say that to someone. You all refer to single parenting as if it is some sort of horrid disease that would kill you if you happened to end up with it. It's not.
Two - if becoming a single mom is something that ends up happening to a person, it isn't the end of the world. If you have a job, I promise you'll be just fine. Now stay at home moms who have that "fear" of ending up like me, I almost get why you're scared. Lets be honest, if your relationship or marriage ended you would be fucked. I'm more afraid for you than I am for myself.
The "dirty truth" of all this is easy. Parenting as a single mom, even living with a significant other, is quite the challenge. But honestly, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have sacrificed a lot over the years. Going to an on campus college, partying through my 20's, traveling the world, and sleeping in on my days off. I hardly ever get a sitter to go do what I want to do. Mainly because they're expensive and I hate the idea of someone else raising my kids because going out for various reasons is more important...its not. And it never will be. But then again, even married couples shouldn't be doing that all the time. Why have kids if you aren't gonna be caring for them on your free time?
But that's for another day. Lets continue with the single mom thing.
My life is better than yours in many ways. Think thats untrue? Lets see: I get all the hugs and kisses, I get to make all of the rules, and my only arguments are with children. I can be the good guy and the bad guy. I get to choose the family trips, and all the snuggles go to me. Sure they get needy and sometimes I just need a break, but all the experiences, good and bad, are mine. The " I love you's" the stories, and even the back rubs..yup, all mine too. My only real struggle? All my money goes to them. I get to buy a couple things for myself, the rest of my money goes to bills and the children. Fan of shopping? Love to buy expensive brand clothing? Tropical sandy beach vacations or cruises on your list of things you love? Yeah that's not gonna happen. Unless of course you either make $100k a year or you're neglectful to your kids. Otherwise, life as you know it is over when it comes to that stuff. Your trips are to parks and the grand canyon, and dinosaur museums. Maybe lego land if you work a lot of overtime. The only margarita you'll be sipping by water, is a bath late at night after the kids have passed out cold.
I will be honest, sometimes it's hard. Like really hard. The tantrums are normally the bad part. Doing the mom thing alone also leads to crying twice as much in the shower when your kids can't see. It means missing get togethers with your girl friends. And telling your boyfriend, if you're with someone at least, that you would rather not go with him to his friends parties because after working all day, you still have little mouths to feed, and bathe. And socializing with married couples is just too exhausting because there are going to be zero people there who relate to you and why you're dozing off on their couch.
I gave up most of my social life because of being judged. Everyone asking where the dad is. Why I got divorced. How can I manage doing what I do without going crazy. Or the most insulting one; why aren't you married?
Does a person have to be married in order to be a good parent? Am I a bad mom because I walked away from bad people to do it solo? My son has a dad, my daughter has a dad. They just aren't the same person. And I'm not married to either one. Sure, Nevaehs dad isn't her real dad. But he has been there for her from the beginning and it isn't anyones business as to why we aren't married. I'm content without a second person helping me. I'm ok without a second income to ease my stress. They're MY kids. Good and bad. Be afraid of it if you want. But the truth? Any mom can become in the same position that I'm in. What matters is if you're ready to give up everything you've become used to in order to adjust. If you would really be ready and willing to make that ultimate sacrifice.