I’m a Single Mother and I’m Not Mad at Kim Kardashian

Love her or hate her, Kim Kardashian at all times finds her method into the headlines. Her newest consideration grabbing transfer includes sharing ideas concerning the difficulties of being a single mom of 4 kids.

Whereas chatting with greatest pal Zoe Winkler on the brand new podcast What within the Winkler on November 12, 2024, the Retaining Up With the Kardashians character talked concerning the challenges and isolation of parenting alone.

A billionaire with ample assist at her fingertips, Kardashian acknowledged when making her feedback that she does certainly have an important assist system and loads of assets. However she however feels the pains of elevating her kids alone since she and husband Kanye West finalized their divorce in 2022.

The subject of single parenting is nearly at all times a lightning rod for debate. And Kardashian’s contributions to the subject are simply the most recent instance of that actuality. Let’s unpack.

Kim Kardashian on Single Parenting

For many who want a refresher, Kardashian is the mom of North, 11, Saint, 8, Chicago, 6, and Psalm, 5—the youngsters from her marriage with rapper and file producer West, who appears to have been in Japan for almost two months, in accordance with reviews.

Navigating her new regular led Kardashian to inform Winkler that generally it could really feel like “you’re on this alone, regardless that we’ve nice assist techniques and folks round us. Generally, in the midst of the night time after they’re all in your mattress, kicking you, crying, and waking up—it’s not one thing I speak about so much.”

The SKIMS founder added, “Individuals might be fast to say, ‘Oh, however you may have nannies and assist.’ However even with all the assistance, I’m principally elevating 4 youngsters on my own.”

Because the dialog continued, Kardashian additionally talked about one thing many dad and mom can seemingly relate to: shuttling kids to high school and the truth that she drives all 4 of her kids (and infrequently a few of their buddies) every day. It is an expertise that Kardashian mentioned makes her “really feel like I am at like a pit cease of a race automobile driver.”

Eliminating Judgment of Different Single Dad and mom

As a single mom myself, I had many ideas and emotions about Kardashian’s commentary. I have been a single mom since my 12-year-old son was born. It is a journey that is been extremely rewarding and brings me extra pleasure than I might have ever imagined. I would not commerce it for something.

However relying on the day or the second, it will also be maddening, daunting, and downright exhausting. As Kardashian has mentioned herself in previous interviews, it is an expertise that is even introduced me to tears every now and then. There are additionally loads of days and occasions after I’ve wished for one more grownup round the home to assist me out.

Given this life expertise, I at all times hear with nice curiosity when different dad and mom speak about elevating kids on their very own. However Kardashian’s feedback took me a while to course of emotionally. And it was a little bit of a curler coaster trip—as a result of my speedy response was one she very a lot predicted. Judgement. And I am positive on this entrance I am not alone.

My intestine response was: How can a billionaire whose social calendar consists of often attending glamorous occasions just like the Met Gala or Oscars afterparties, actually relate to the struggles and work of single dad and mom? I personally have no idea many single dad and mom (past the confines of Hollywood) whose lives embrace jetting from one glitzy occasion to a different or carrying the best garments and jewels cash should purchase.

Nor do any of the one dad and mom in my private circle make use of the nannies and cooks that Kardashian has on employees to assist her when the going will get powerful. Kardashian’s model of single motherhood additionally doesn’t embrace the wrestle or stresses that include making an attempt to make ends meet or securing reasonably priced housing in an more and more costly world. Ditto for the concerns that may maintain you up at night time in the case of paying for medical health insurance and youngster care.

However after rereading her feedback and ruminating on them for many of the day, my perspective shifted. And my preliminary judgment gave strategy to emotions that shocked me.

The Emotional Problem of Single Parenting

Whereas I nonetheless don’t essentially really feel like Kardashian is my single mother soul sister, I do really feel like there are some single dad or mum feelings she expressed which can be common, rich or not. Celeb or not.

Specifically, there is a deeply emotional part to being a single dad or mum and elevating a baby by yourself. And Kardashian’s vulnerability reveals that no amount of cash, nannies, or cooks can erase these pangs of isolation or emotions of loneliness that may pop up when you do not have one other grownup by your aspect to assist navigate the generally loopy or exhausting moments of parenting. 

After just a few hours of analyzing my response, I additionally got here to understand that whereas I’ll by no means have the ability to essentially relate to Kardashian’s model of single mom life, it is also not my job to try to reduce her emotions or declare them lower than legitimate. 

Do the nannies and cooks assist her take care of (learn: fully remove) most of the exhausting duties single dad and mom sometimes handle on their very own? I am positive they do. However can that employees fill the emotional void? Or step in as a second supply of parenting knowledge? Unlikely.

Kardashian made this level abundantly clear in a earlier podcast interview, On Goal with Jay Shetty, throughout which she additionally dished on being a single dad or mum.

“There are nights I cry myself to sleep,” she mentioned. “With all of the moods and the personalities and generally they’re preventing, and there’s nobody there. Like, it’s [just] me to play good cop and unhealthy cop.”

She additionally mentioned, “Parenting is so onerous,” later including, “There’s simply nothing that may put together you for this expertise.”

Sure, certainly. Together with the various, many joys and rewards and fierce love that comes with being a dad or mum, the job can be extremely onerous. That is a degree single dad and mom far and large are seemingly going to narrate to—regardless of who the dad or mum expressing the sentiment occurs to be.