How to Handle Criticism as a Single Parent

Parenting is hard, especially when it comes attached with judgmental stares, uninvited advice, and whispered criticism behind your back. 

And your everyday tasks turn into a nightmare. The fact is—your critics are not always right, in fact most of the time. Furthermore, the constant fear of ‘Am I doing it right’ is not an uncommon reality for single parents. 

The fact is, you’re balancing school drop-offs, soccer practices, homework, and meals incredibly. Despite the criticism, the thing is, no one knows your child better than you. So, while it is easy to get disheartened by the constant judgments and criticism, you must stay confident in your parenting approach. 

And did you know almost 70 percent of single parents feel constantly scrutinized by society, as per research?

Read this interesting article to find out some effective tips on how you can deal with criticism as a single parent.

“You should be tougher!” “Don’t spoil them!” “Are you even spending enough time with them?” every parent must have come across through such questions. The truth is, society loves to weigh on how you should parent your child. 

And sometimes, you might even feel that every decision of yours is being guided by a bench. According to a study conducted in 2019, 60% of single parents feel judged by society, but only 26% of that criticism comes from family or close friends. 

Here comes the need to master the skill of selective listening. In simple words, you must only focus on the voices and people that actually matter and those who genuinely care about your child.

Building confidence doesn't mean defending your decisions. It’s about owning your decisions. From co-sleeping, enforcing strict bedtime routines, or letting your kid wear mismatched socks to school, if it works for your family, everything is right.

While it’s easier said than done, most families around the world are now focusing on proving every day that non-traditional doesn't always mean wrong, especially in developed nations. 

In the end, if you’re giving love and support to your little ones, you’re doing it all right.

It’s easier to fire back at the criticism, especially when it comes to your parenting approach. However, in most cases, it is better to take that high road instead of losing your cool. In this, humor can be your best friend. 

You may come up with certain hilarious answers or simply thank them for their concern and go on with your day. 

Ultimately, it is your composure that will make you feel confident each day while also sending a hint that you’re not easy to shake.

Most people criticize because they do not understand the challenges that come with single parenting. Here’s your opportunity to educate them instead of getting into your defensive mode. You must let them know that while you know where their criticism is coming from, single parents have a different approach to handling things.

Some days you might get overwhelmed with criticism; it is important to constantly remind yourself that no one has figured it all yet. After all, you’re doing the job of two parents—mom and dad. In the end, kids don't need perfect parents but present one.

Single parenting is more like a solo marathon where every step you take matters. So even if some critiques like to comment on your parenting style, take a moment to pause and remind yourself about the way you’re serving the responsibilities of both parents for your child. As a single parent, you've already proven that you can handle almost anything that comes your way.