Catherine Tyson’s new book, ‘Single Mama: Powerful Not Pitiful’, shares her experiences as a single mother while providing a guide to make the single-parenting journey a little easier.
Tyson told the Compass the inspiration behind her latest work is taking the principles from her first published book, ‘I’m Somebody’s Mama’, “in a point-by-point format for parenting.”
She added the new book is “less humour, more practical and pragmatic.”
Tyson said it was important to write the book because readers “need perspective, hope and cheerleaders”.
For the last 15 years, the media personality and social worker has been training and equipping individuals with professional and self-development skills, deportment and etiquette. During her journey as a single mother, Tyson has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work, and watched her three children also reach academic milestones.
Tyson is now on a quest to get single parents to develop healthy mindsets and behaviours while raising children.
“They need a voice and I feel so strongly about it now that I’m on this side of it,” Tyson said.
In the book, which Tyson describes as “easy to read”, she focuses on the reality of single mothers being “very bleak and sad”, but through her story, encourages young women to concentrate on “positivity and the lives of their children and to raise incredible humans that can be great contributors and citizens of the world”.
The book explores areas that she struggled with as a single mother and shares perspectives to help mothers understand how difficult or easy they can make their journey based on their choices.
Tyson said, “a single mother is a powerful position to be when you take life by the reins and stay [focused] on the task at hand, raising your children”.
“The choices one makes can be the result of a powerful or pitiful existence. Raising extraordinary people is right at your fingertips, if at first you realise that, as their mother, they must be your first priority.”
The local author hopes readers will take away that “our children are the real deal”, adding, “They are our priority and should be honoured… we are in charge of making the journey a good one or a tough one based on our decisions and behaviour.”
The book will be launched, and Tyson will read from the work, sign copies and participate in a Q&A, on Friday, 10 Nov., at Next Chapter in Camana Bay, starting at 6:30pm.
‘Single Mama: Powerful Not Pitiful’ is also available locally at More Than Words, and on Amazon.
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