Where are the Brady bunch in the 21st century? The old fashioned family values and portrayal: two parents, a couple of children, all living in harmony. They still exist indeed, somewhere. However, we now see a father or a mother raising his or her children solely much more often than we did long ago. I have grown up in a single parent household, and as much as the love of one parent's absence is felt, the love of the one parent's presence is doubled. I would not change my life in any way, having my mother by my side has molded me into the person I am today. And I want to think I am doing well.

Single parenting, most of the time, may be by choice. However, the stories vary. Growing up in a single parent household may be the consequence of divorce, separation, or death. In any case, coming up in such environment has an effect on people.
Here is a list of what one should expect and know about the lives of people who are raised by single parents. Let me tell you, you are definitely in for a ride.

1. They have a friend or a foe.

They cannot get away as easily with coming home past 3 a.m. on a Tuesday. They get lectured and cannot go out for two Tuesdays in a row. But after this bickering is over and they decide to run to the kitchen, their favorite breakfast is placed on the counter: a bacon, spinach, and cheese omelette.

2. They live by loyalty.

"Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." These people live by this saying and they do not take friendships lightly. That is why their circle is so tight. They have had one person teach them what loyalty is by being there unconditionally and they do the same for those they truly care about.

3. Miss independent.

Since they see a person who does everything alone, they learn and adapt. From a young age they see their mom or dad work long hours a day to provide for the household alone. Therefore, they adjust to self-reliance and rarely seek the assistance of others. They know about self-sufficiency and become self-sufficient.

4. They know how to take care of themselves.

Going hand in hand with the previous point, since these children only have one parent at home, they learn to do things for and by themselves. Some single parents raise multiple children at once and this drives each child to learn about social skills, health, family, and other abilities on their own.

5. Strength is their greatest virtue.

People may think that when others are raised solely by one parent they are damaged. Yes, they have to deal with many obstacles in life, but these children gain strength from these setbacks. A single parent adapts an emotional balance and learns how to be firm and understanding in cohesion, transmitting this to their children.

6. Family over everything.

Family is, and should always be number one in our hearts no matter the circumstances we live in. With having just one parent at home these individuals seek to protect one another and be there wholeheartedly through thick and thin.

7. Whether it is a single father or mother, there is nobody like them.

Seeing one person put your life over theirs, time after time, when you know you do not deserve it is truly inspiring. When one raised by a single person they may not say it often, but they have an angel sent from above in their eyes.