As a single mom, it can often feel like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
From scheduling doctor’s appointments to signing your child up for soccer camp, managing busy schedules to cooking healthy dinners every night - keeping it all together takes a superhero-like energy.
Letting go of anything feels like it could be the end of the world.
And of course, then your child goes over to dad’s house. And that’s one of the hardest times to let go.
Whether you worry constantly about what kind of food they’re eating, or stress about whether or not they’re having a good time - letting go while your child is at their father’s feels almost impossible.
And yet, letting go of a little control may be the healthiest thing you can do for yourself - and for your kids.
Let’s take a look at two ways you can begin to let go.
Know What You Can Control
Start by turning your focus to the things you do have control over.
“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t,” said Steve Maraboli in his book Life, the Truth, and Being Free.
Recognize the elements of your life that are within your control - even if you have to write those elements down in a list.
Now, invest your time and energy in those things. It is amazing the amount on freedom you feel by simply noticing and embracing the things within your power and letting go of the rest.
Know Not Everything is in Your Power
“In reality, there are many things in life you have zero control over…” says an article in Forbes.
There are situations where decisions aren’t up to you, and times - whether your kids are at school or at their papa’s - that you won’t be able to call all the shots.
And guess what? That’s okay.
You don’t have to make every call, and you don’t always have to be in charge. When you finally accept that not everything is within your power - you’ll feel a renewed lightness and contentment.
Feel the Wind in Your Hair
By recognizing what you can control, and letting go of the things that are outside your power - you finally experience real freedom. You are no longer tethered to things beyond your grasp, and no longer easily influenced or frustrated by situations outside your reach.
It’s hard at first - but the secret is, you deserve the freedom of not always being in control. Give yourself the gift of letting go, and finally, feel the wind in your hair.
Summary of Parts II and III: In part two of this series, we’ll look at how focusing more on yourself will help you let go of having control over the kids, and in part III, we’ll talk about how to give space to your kids when they’re over at dad’s.
