The Balance of Single Parenthood — A Story About Single Parent Love

Sometimes, maintaining balance as a single parent feels like walking on stilts in a parade.

Everyone around you is smiling, the music is playing, the world is colorful and alive, and the parade moves forward — yet deep inside, you know: every single step is a small miracle, another gifted moment when you still haven’t lost your balance.

Every movement carries awareness. Every breath carries responsibility. Because you know: stability is hard when you’re standing on one leg. There’s no “Option B,” no other parent to catch you if you stumble, to help when it’s time to feed, to bathe, or to handle life’s endless tasks.You are the balance itself. The balance of two people.

That is the true art: to hold yourself steady while keeping your child safe — all while the world around you continues to celebrate, move, and make noise.

And one day, your child will feel it too.Maybe they’re only three or four years old, and you’re baking together in the kitchen on a late autumn afternoon — one that seems just like any other — when suddenly they ask:

“Mom, what would happen if something happened to you?” “What do you mean, sweetheart?” “Mom, what would I eat? What would I drink? Would I starve?”

And then you show them where the bread rolls are kept and how to reach the faucet to pour water. You reorganize the lowest drawer together, filling it with snacks, crackers, and favorite treats.And in that moment, you realize: despite all your efforts, your child too can feel the fragility of balance.

The Invisible Balance of the Family System

In psychology, we speak of family systems — (see my article The Family’s Spider Web Dynamic) — about invisible forces that connect family members.When there are two parents, the family web is wider, and the vibrations spread more softly. But when only one parent holds the space, every movement resonates twice as strongly.

That’s why many single parents live in quiet alertness: they cannot afford to collapse, to get sick, or even to show a moment of weakness.And yet — within that tension, something beautiful can be born. Over time, vigilance transforms into presence, and fragility becomes a rare form of wisdom.

Single-parent balance is not static — it rebuilds itself every day, within you and within your child.

A single parent learns to dance on one leg.

Gracefully.

Consciously.

If you too are walking the path of single-parent balance — whether every day or only for a season — remind yourself: this is not weakness, but art.Every morning you rise again, you create a new balance — within yourself and within your child.

And one day, when your child walks their own path, they will know:they were raised by someone capable of immeasurable love.

🕊️ Written by Antonia Bai – Crisis Psychologist

👉 Follow on Instagram: @antonia.bai

💌 If you’re seeking support in finding or maintaining your single-parent balance, I offer 1:1 consultations in Budapest or online.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical or psychological diagnosis or advice. If you experience any physical or mental health concerns, please seek support from a qualified professional.

© 2025 Antonia Bai Psychology. All texts and materials are the intellectual property of Antonia Bai. Copying, republishing, or using any part of these writings, images, or excerpts in any form is only permitted with the prior authorisation of the author.