When we think of empowerment, we often imagine boldness. Grand speeches. Big decisions. Social media posts where someone has 'finally found their voice' – usually while standing on a cliff, hair blowing dramatically in the wind.

But for many single parents, empowerment doesn’t always look like that.

Sometimes, empowerment is just getting out of bed when you didn’t think you could. It’s replying to that difficult message without spiralling. It’s walking past the laundry basket and not beating yourself up about it. It’s the quiet, steady strength of showing up every day for your children, even when you feel like you’re running on empty.

And that still counts.

Here’s why empowerment doesn’t always have to be loud and how to notice (and nurture) the quiet strength that lives in you already.

Quiet strength is still strength

One of the biggest misconceptions about empowerment is that it has to be visible. But for single parents, a lot of the most powerful moments happen behind closed doors.

You probably know this already, because you’ve lived it.

You’ve navigated bedtime routines solo while silently panicking about how you’ll pay the next bill. You’ve made packed lunches, managed school runs, calmed meltdowns and answered work emails, all before 9am. You’ve held in your emotions in front of your kids because you didn’t want them to feel the weight of your sadness.

That’s not weakness. That’s courage.

We don’t talk about this kind of strength enough, but it matters just as much (if not more) than the louder, showier moments. It’s the glue that holds everything together – and the good news is, it’s already inside you.

Comparison is the thief of empowerment

We live in a world where people curate their highlight reels and call it reality. So it’s easy to look at another parent’s social media post and feel like you’re not doing enough, achieving enough, or being “empowered” enough.

But empowerment doesn’t follow a script. There’s no checklist. You don’t need to launch a business, run a marathon, or go on a journey of self-discovery to count as empowered. (Unless you want to, of course, then go for it!)

True empowerment is about making choices that align with your values, your needs, and your life, not anyone else’s.

So the next time you find yourself scrolling through someone else’s version of strength, remember: you’re only seeing the cover page, not the whole book.

How to recognise your quiet power

Feeling empowered isn’t always about adding more. Sometimes it’s about slowing down long enough to realise how strong you already are.

Here are a few simple ways to reconnect with your own quiet power:

1. Write a “look how far I’ve come” list

Instead of a to-do list, try making a “have-done” list. Think back over the past week, month or year and jot down moments where you showed up for yourself or your family, even when it was hard.

Maybe it was calling the GP, attending a school event solo, or simply getting everyone fed and bathed. These aren’t small things. These are huge things.

2. Reframe the narrative

It’s easy to say, “I just kept things ticking over today”, but that’s actually a massive feat. Try swapping “I just…” with “I managed to…” or “I chose to…”

You didn’t just survive the day, you actively parented, worked, organised, supported, and held it all together. You didn’t just rest, you prioritised your wellbeing.

Language matters. Be kind to yourself with the words you use.

3. Practise mindful validation

Before bed, take 60 seconds to name one thing you did well today – and one way you showed strength. It doesn’t have to be profound. Even saying “I stayed calm when I wanted to scream” is a powerful acknowledgement of your emotional resilience.

And if you did scream? That’s okay too. Reflecting on it without shame is also a sign of growth.

You’re allowed to redefine what empowerment looks like

Empowerment isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. It can be loud or quiet. Fast or slow. Visible or invisible. There’s no single way to “do” it right – and it’s okay if it looks different for you depending on the day, week, or season you’re in.

For some Frolo members, empowerment is rebuilding their financial life one small budget at a time. For others, it’s stepping back into the dating world after years of putting everyone else first. For some, it’s starting therapy. For others, it’s admitting they don’t have the energy for anything right now – and letting that be enough.

Whatever it looks like, your version is valid.

You’re already doing it

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “empowered enough,” take this as your reminder: you are. Empowerment isn’t something you have to earn or perform. It’s already in you, woven into every decision you make, every challenge you face, and every quiet act of love that often goes unnoticed.

So today, even if you’re feeling tired, messy, overwhelmed or unsure, you’re still powerful. You’re still worthy. And you’re still doing brilliantly.

You don’t have to shout to be strong.

Sometimes, the quietest voices carry the deepest strength of all.

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