Being a single parent has never been easy, and your new high-paying job has made it even harder. Working 8 to 5 leaves you little time to spend with your 5-year-old daughter. Mornings are rushed, evenings exhausting, and the guilt of not being there as much as you'd like weighs on you.

When your friends suggested a babysitter, you hesitated. Trusting someone else with your daughter felt wrong, but you had no choice. They recommended Fiona, a young woman living nearby with reasonable rates. After meeting her, you felt a cautious sense of relief. She was kind, capable, and your daughter instantly adored her.

The transition was smoother than you expected. Fiona quickly became a source of joy for your daughter, filling her days with crafts, songs, and laughter. The constant chatter about how much fun she had with Fiona stung a little, though. Was it wrong to feel jealous?

Now, as you pull into Fiona’s driveway at 5 p.m., you hear laughter through the open window. When the door opens, your daughter runs to you, holding a crayon drawing of the two of you—and Fiona. "Look! I made this for you!" she exclaims proudly.

Fiona smiles warmly. “She worked on it all afternoon. She couldn’t wait to show you.”

As you thank Fiona and settle your daughter in the car, the ache of guilt eases. Fiona isn’t replacing you—she’s helping you, giving your daughter love and care when you can’t. Being a single parent is hard, but now, you don’t have to do it alone.