Everyday women can be superheroes too
Being a single mother is never easy, but women find a way to make it work.
The world is filled with strong, powerful women and on 9 August, South Africa celebrated them on Women’s Day.
Everyday women, especially mothers, have the power to make an astronomical impact on the lives of those around them. They are the epitome of strength, dedicating their lives to nurturing, inspiring, and protecting their family.One of the many everyday superheroes we call ‘mom’ is Kim Dawtrey.
The 55-year-old Helderkruin resident has been a single mother since her second divorce 15 years ago. She has spent every moment of motherhood dedicated to raising her three sons: Joshua, 29, Christopher, 23, and Jeffrey, 18.
Being a single mother is never easy, but women find a way to make it work. Like many single mothers, money has been a long-standing struggle for Kim, especially because she received very little support from her ex-husbands; but despite the struggles, she is extremely proud of how her sons turned out.
Throughout her sons’ lives, Kim was the breadwinner for the family, using her small, home-run hairdressing business to make money, as well as selling paintings and pottery on the side. Living with her pensioner mother Jean, and her two youngest sons, most of the financial responsibility still falls on her. However, whatever stress she may be facing, Kim finds happiness in the little things. She spends a lot of time with her family and friends, and enjoys finding new recipes and cooking for her family.
“It’s tough being a single mom, but we need to live in the now,”, said Kim.
“Don’t worry about tomorrow; if you have a roof over your head and food in your stomach you are already more fortunate than a lot of people out there. Just put one foot in front of the other, and take it one day at a time. Things will be okay.”
Kim said her biggest achievement is raising her boys to be independent and caring young men who appreciate the little things in life and work exceptionally hard. Chris and Jeff both suffer from learning disabilities, so one of Kim’s most difficult jobs was finding ways to educate them and give them the support they needed despite what may have been holding them back.
With their mom as their personal superhero over the past few years, Joshua and Christopher started working in America, and Jeffrey started studying mandarin and has been excelling in his local acting group. Joshua has been able to return to his job Kansas since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and helps with money where he can, but Christopher is still struggling to get his contracts finalised and is staying with them until he can get back to work as well.
The Dawtrey family is just one of many that have shown that a mother’s love can move mountains.
