Millions of Moms and Dads around the world are single – some arrived in that role intentionally and many never wanted to be in the role of a single parent; however, being a parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging things to be. I want to encourage everyone to seek out a single parent friend and let him or her know what you see them doing right! Let your friend know that you are proud of him or her and that you know his/her children are growing up stable and strong because of the love and consistency you see in your friends’ parenting.
As a parent of any type, often we don’t give ourselves any credit when we do something well or we do something important. We seem to be good at seeing everyone else’s success, but not our own. This year, for National Single Parents Day, I want to ask everyone to be intentional and find several single parents in your community and point out what they are doing well!! Maybe also put a card in their mailbox that affirms their role as a loving parent and include a $30 gift card to a local restaurant for dinner. Or maybe leave a plant on someone’s doorstep with a nice card of positive regard. Single parents often feel invisible and overlooked – this is a time that we can all make a difference in someone’s life and share a few kind words and a few financial blessings.
I applaud the single parent who is working long hours to try and take care of his/her three children; I applaud the single parent who is working and going back to school to either finish an undergrad degree or a graduate degree so he/she can expand the financial foundation of the family. I salute the single parent serving in the military who is often far away from his/her children protecting our freedom while we all sleep in our own beds at night. I am grateful for the single parents who are committed to raise their kids in church and make it a point to prioritize their schedule so their kids can participate in life-giving activities and events throughout the year, even though it would be much easier to sleep in on a Sunday. Single parents are heros and this March 16th I ask you to seek out and celebrate the Single parent Heros you know!! Your words of encouragement may be just the thing he/she needs to keep them going on the journey!!
For free handouts and more info, contact Tammy Daughtry at www.CoParentingInternational.com.
Tammy G. Daughtry, MMFT, Founder, CoParenting International, Co-Founder, Center for Modern Family Dynamics, Author, “Co-parenting Works! Helping Your Children Thrive after Divorce”
