The BEST ADVICE My Father Ever Gave Me...Now I'm giving it to my children!

I was raised as the youngest of 5 girls with 2 loving parents in the home. With all girls in the house (bless my father for putting up with us) plus my mother, my dad still managed to be a mild mannered, yet stern parent. All that years that my dad was living, I never wanted to disappoint him. I always felt that the worse thing that I could ever do was to let my dad down. Even in his memory, I still live my life not wanting to disappoint my father.

Growing up, when one of us girls did manage to find trouble (of course, we would say that trouble would find us), my father would sit us down and give us a talk full of correction and wisdom. In fact, any time my dad sat me down to talk, especially in the mornings over coffee, he would always share incredible wisdom and advice. Hmmmm... I guess I could say that every time my dad, sat me down to talk that he gave me the best advice ever for whatever I was facing - good or bad. So, I would conclude that every talk we had was the BEST advice my father ever gave me! And his wisdom and advice is still with me today!

Boy, I sure want my children to speak well of me like I did my dad. Yet some days, well, I'm not too sure if my words of advice are so great. As a single mom, like me, I know you get overwhelmed, fatigued, aggravated and frustrated with all the demands, pressure and load that you carry. Life may push you to the edge and maybe you take your frustration out on everyone around you - especially your children. I mean, just think about it for a moment. (Pause) It's in those moments when I know I must be accountable to my words, that I think back on how my father talked with me, and good or bad - he shared the best advice ever!

The point I'm making is this.... next time something happens with your children - good or bad - sit down with them - love them, correct them, listen, share wisdom ... make them feel like it's the best advice their mom ever gave them - wisdom that will stay with them when they are grown that they will pass on to their children.

I assure you, that as they grow older and begin to value those talks good or bad, they will begin to embrace that time spent together and they will start thinking.... "Wow, my mom raised me as a single mom, she had some tough times, but she gave me the BEST ADVICE that has helped me through my life. In fact, it's the BEST ADVICE that I've ever been given"!

You may not feel like it now, but you will begin to see the fruit of your parenting. Put in the work now and later the payoff will be great!!!

The Single Mom's Chronicles Scripture:

Proverbs 3:

1 My child, remember my teachings and instructions and obey them completely. 2 They will help you live a long and prosperous life.