The Journey

This is the year in which both of my children are officially adults. When you raise a child, you always imagine how your child(ren) will turn out. Will they go to college? What will they be when they grow up? But all the while you are praying for success in all areas of their life. As of right now, I can say that I am proud of both my children. They didn't grow up with the "best" life but they grew up with love from many people. One of the things that I am grateful for is that I was never alone. On paper, my household is considered a "single parent home" but that's not the life my children have experienced. They were surrounded by a village of people of loved and sacrificed for them. People who helped shape and mold them into the young man and woman that they are today. I am appreciative to those that stood in the gap when a parent wasn't available.

Parenting is a struggle, regardless of the household dynamic. Life has it's way of throwing things into the mix that makes you work harder sometimes, financial issues, health problems, or just not enough time in the day. But, we make it through. I made it through just like many others.

 As life continues, I hope and pray that my children will share the things that they have learned with others, that they become a part of someone else's village to extend love and support just as they have received. My time of full time parenting is almost over, but you know what.....I've enjoyed this journey and look forward to the vacation ahead. 

Free Yourself

As a single parent we get frustrated. We become frustrated with the our child's behaviors, doing things on our own, and the other parent. I want to deal with frustration with the other parent.

Being a single parent and watching others I've noticed how easily frustrated we become when the other parent does things that are not up to our standards. You want to go right, they go left. You want to go up, they go down. You want to say yes, they say no. When we hurt, we want them to feel the same way. It seems like a constant battle. What I've learned is to not focus on the other parent. Your job is to focus on the upbringing of your child. You just make sure that you are providing the right care and giving your child the proper tools to use on their life's journey. When you begin to focus on the whys (why don't they feel like this, why do they do this, why are aren't they doing...) you've taken your eye off what is most important, the child. Yes, what I am saying is easier said than done but it's a learning process. It took me a while to get to that point in my parenting journey but I did it and that is why I can share this with you. Take some stress out your life and give it to GOD! When those moments arise, immediately ask God to take over and then add it to your prayers. As time goes by you'll notice how the actions of the other parent no longer bother you. You will feel that sense of freedom from the stress and frustration that was once there.

Free Yourself!!!