I know it might not mean much because I’m an internet stranger, but I just wanted to say, I’m really proud of you. Not just for working harder than anyone should have to, but mostly, for prioritizing the well-being of your son. It’s completely unfair that you have to struggle and suffer like this, but you do it anyway because you love him. You’re a fantastic mom and he’s going to grow up into a good, capable human because he has a mom that truly loves him.

Here’s the part I hope will be more reassuring: because you love and care for your son, some day, he will be willing and prepared to start caring for you as well. It’s not selfish to look forward to that day; it’s the natural course of a healthy family dynamic. You may have concerns about pushing him too early or too hard into taking on responsibility because of your situation, and that’s a healthy concern to have. Talk to your family and community about it when you can. At the end of the day though, you’re the only person in the world who is his mom, and that makes you the foremost expert on the right parenting choices.

As much as it brings me pain to know single parents like you have to suffer like this because society is so deeply fucked up, it also brings me hope to hear about good parents in this world. Because only good people can change this world for the better, and good people are much, much more likely to come from good parents.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us on Lemmy. I hope our responses bring you some relief, reassurance, a feeling of community belonging, good advice, and hopefully some laughs and smiles.