Single Parents and Risk-Healthy or Unhealthy?

by Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger

06 Aug 2007 06:42 PM

Taking risks is one of those things that can feel like a slippery slope for the single parent. We hear from the popular culture that taking risks is a good thing, a person needs to let go, take that leap and go for it! But, when you are the sole support and stabilizing factor for a family that may have already been through major crisis, upsetting the apple cart all over again may not seem like a very good idea. This can cause us to get immobilized and so afraid of making additional mistakes that we resist taking risks at all cost.

There is such a thing as healthy and unhealthy risk-taking. Calculated risks often really do bring about positive change and help us keep moving forward and expanding our world and our lives. This is different from dangerous or ill-advised risks where we throw up our arms or leap before we look things over-these are the ones that can get us into trouble.

I know first hand the pressures of risk-taking for the single parent-people are constantly weighing in on both sides of the issue: "When are you going to take a chance and get involved with someone?!" and "Do you think taking on work where you have to travel out of the country once a year is wise for a single parent? What if something happens while you're gone?" There are those who think I should really be out there, and others who think that I've abdicated my right to take calculated risks by becoming a single parent. The truth is, there are healthy risks, and there are unhealthy ones-and I get to decide what is best for me and my family. For the single parent, each big risk we take likely affects not just ourselves-but our children, our family stability, potentially our livelihood, and our family future. Of course, we'll be weighing all of those things when we decide if a risk is worth it or not. But, we still need to take some of those risks that come our way-don't let a negative past or feeling like you've been "burned" keep you from taking a healthy risk now and then-it's what makes life worth living!

Also: Encouraging Children to Take Risks

The Fear of Making Mistakes

Learn more about Kori Rodley Irons

Bio has been removed by administrator

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger