A fair majority of our clientele are single parents. Some by choice while others were never given this option and I give props regardless of how they got there.
“Mom and Dad.” In our everyday fantasies will always be #1 in raising happy and healthy kids. For the single parent, especially moms, will always be trying hard to lure their children back from the brink of peer pressure, education, crime, etc.
The controversy out there between a two parent household and single parent astounds me. The first is to let go of the fantasy that all children living in ” conventional” families have two completely engaged parents who shower their love and attention on all their children, and on each other, in a home free of anger and conflict. The second is to grab onto a different sort of possibility – that many children living with single mothers and father have other important adults in their lives as well. I am not just talking about “Bubbie” living with them. I mean all of the kids who have grandparents, aunts, siblings,uncles, neighbors, teachers, family friends, Nannies, and others who care about them. The right person( other than the parent single or not) can make all of the difference in the world. I was THAT person.
“Mom and Dad.” In our everyday fantasies will always be #1 in raising happy and healthy kids. For the single parent, especially moms, will always be trying hard to lure their children back from the brink of peer pressure, education, crime, etc.
The controversy out there between a two parent household and single parent astounds me. The first is to let go of the fantasy that all children living in ” conventional” families have two completely engaged parents who shower their love and attention on all their children, and on each other, in a home free of anger and conflict. The second is to grab onto a different sort of possibility – that many children living with single mothers and father have other important adults in their lives as well. I am not just talking about “Bubbie” living with them. I mean all of the kids who have grandparents, aunts, siblings,uncles, neighbors, teachers, family friends, Nannies, and others who care about them. The right person( other than the parent single or not) can make all of the difference in the world. I was THAT person.
I agree with the traditionalists about stability: It is good for kids and it was good for my sister and I. So is the comfort of knowing that you can walk outside the door of your family home and have other adults who believe in you. Adults who have cared about you for as long as you can remember. I, personally, know several single parents that provide a supportive and loving network for their kiddos and I have been extremely lucky to have had the chance to work with them.
Heather Berkowitz Grant
www.themcnannyagency.com
Co founder/Family Consultant
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete