Top five benefits of being a single parent

I know it sounds hard to believe, but there are actually quite a few benefits to being a single parent. Sure, it’s hard work – extra long hours, one income instead of two and a general lack of adult conversation — but believe it or not, there are quite a few perks to working solo too.

So, here they are, in no particular order, my list of the top five benefits of being a single parent. Enjoy!


TOP FIVE BENEFITS OF BEING A SINGLE PARENT

5) The Thermostat.

There's no more wrestling over the thermostat. You set it once and it stays right were you set it – every time.

4) You know where every penny goes.

This benefit isn't about arguing over joint checking account expenses. It's about keeping the joint account balanced. Single parents don't have to chase down debit-card receipts or checks written but not recorded. The issue of keeping the books balanced, simply isn't an issue anymore.

3) Total control of the TV.

Unless your kids are old enough to work the remote, the TV is all yours. Instead of watching SportCenter or televised golf, chances are you’re enjoying a DVR full of Oprah episodes and TLC’s What Not to Wear re-runs.

2) You can cook whatever you want…or not.

If your ex was a picky eater, the meals you cooked were probably influenced, at least in part, by his tastes. It can be pretty stressful, trying to please someone who's hard to please. When you're the only one driving the menu, you can cook what you like, the way you like it.

In addition, with one adult in the house, if you don’t feel like cooking, well...don’t. Obviously you should still feed your kids, but they'll survive with leftovers, drive-through or PB&J (all in moderation, of course). If your kids have a good hot lunch program at school (where they serve hot and healthy lunches everyday), you can skip the more labor-intensive, traditional meals from time to time, guilt free.

1) No more waiting for your ex to pitch in with house/yard work.

Sure, there’s more work for one person to do overall, but the stress and arguments over who will do what and when is completely eliminated. I know of lots of women who beg, nag and bargain trying to get their spouses to pitch in, only to end up doing it all themselves anyway.

Single moms get to save time and just get to getting the work done. There's no arguing. No mental Olympics. No drama. The workload is the same, but getting it done can be less stressful.

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Now, I’m not saying that being a single parent is better than being a married one. I’d just die if someone read this list and decided to dump their husband because he watches SportsCenter 24/7.

My point comes more from a making-lemonade-out-of-lemons kind of place. Being a single parent means you can do things on your own terms - and that fact alone has certain, undeniable benefits.