In most families, responsibilities to fulfill duties are a shared effort. An example is parents sharing the responsibility of raising their children—supporting one another through life’s challenges. 

However, not all families have that balance. Some are held together by only one parent, carrying the weight of both roles alone.

According to the RA No. 11861 (The Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act), a solo parent in the Philippines is defined as any individual who provides sole parental care and support to a child or children due to the death, abandonment, legal separation, or detention of a spouse. This also covers unmarried parents who keep their child, or guardians who assume sole responsibility.

Solo parents are those who stand alone, carrying both the roles of mother and father with strength and sacrifice, not expecting anything in return. Despite their tireless efforts and hard work, they remain overlooked members of our society. 

Being a solo parent means taking double responsibility every single day. For instance, during mornings, they wake up early to prepare meals, not just breakfast, but also lunches that the kids will bring to school. They help the kids prepare in the morning before sending them off. Once the kids are at school, they will clean the house and do household chores, then prepare for work and leave. 

And this is not a busy day for them; it's just their usual—their everyday routine. 

Despite these tasks, they still ensure their children are cared for and their needs are met. Solo parents do not have someone else to share these tasks with; every decision, big or small, every responsibility, and every good or rough time rests on their shoulders. 

A struggle solo parents often face is emotional difficulties, not just those of their children, but also their own. As a child grows old, so does their mind and body. Children may have many questions about the changing world and ask their parents. However, parents are also humans. They do not possess all the knowledge and powers their child seeks all the time. This may lead to self-doubt of the parent, stress, or maybe even loneliness. Without a partner to lean on, solo parents have no choice but to stay strong and on their feet, even when they feel exhausted, because a love for one’s child is much stronger than any exhaustion.

The love of their children gives them strength, courage, and determination to keep moving forward, no matter what. A parent does not need to possess all the answers to their children's questions and struggles. There are times when all they need to do is love, support, and observe them as they learn to stand on their own feet and continue to grow. 

Besides emotional struggles, financial struggles are among the most difficult challenges solo parents face. Providing for a family on a limited income is never easy. Some parents provide financial support for their child even if they are no longer together in the family, while others are not fortunate enough to experience that. 

Daily house expenses, school expenses, needs, wants, emergency expenses—the list goes on. With rising prices for products and services in today’s economy, it can be hard to juggle them all, and it can often be overwhelming. Despite these hardships, solo parents persevere, doing whatever it takes to provide their children with a comfortable life and proper education.

Solo parents are not just fathers or mothers; most often, they’re both at the same time. They possess great strength and determination that is often overlooked, but should never be unrecognized or unappreciated. They carry so many roles with unwavering will, facing all the struggles life throws at them just to protect their family, showing courage and resilience. 

Despite doubts and exhaustion, they rise above, fueled by unwavering love for their family. Their journey is a testament to quiet heroism, deserving of acknowledgement, respect, and societal support.  Solo parents shouldn't be defined by their limitations, but by their remarkable strength, courage, determination, perseverance, selflessness, and boundless love they show every day.