The Consequences of Being a Single Mom

I had my first child when I was 19, my second when I was 20 and my third when I was 22. During the time of conceiving these children, I did have a significant other, which was the father of all of my children. He and I didn't get married, but we did do things as a couple. It wasn't the same as a marriage. Even though we had these children together, the main responsibilities were on me. I had to get up in the morning to get bottles ready (when I stopped breastfeeding), rock the babies back to sleep, change diapers and everything. Even though their father did some of those things, I still was a single parent. We didn't have a binding contract and he could come and go as he pleased, even though we lived together. The point I am trying to make is that you can't assume that a man is going to step up to be a dad just because you had a baby. That man will need to want to step up and be a man, be responsible and be an excellent parent.