I have written a lot of my own story and sometimes I think it is time to explore where we are all going. My kids are moving on but they often question my motives and actions. It's funny because the single parents in my audience know full well our motivation and reasons for our actions...our kids. But the kids do not like to acknowledge that, at least not while they are under our roof. Somehow we, as single parents, should have the where-with-all to strike out in an incredible way, make a living, maintain a home, find a new mate, and still inspire the world, while affording our children every expense desired. Being exhausted and unfocused and perhaps even sad are not viable options but are, nonetheless, often present. And here I fail in every which way. I guess I shouldn't say fail, because in the grown up world I am fairing better off than many, but that is not what my kids see. Not just my kids but kids of my friends going through the very same plight.
So, I want to start looking at where we are going as a society of single parents. I know, nobody wants to admit that it's a reality here to stay, but it is. And I, for one, would have liked a road map to help me and my kids to a healthier transition. While laws are constantly changing regarding divorce and child custody, there is no question in my mind that as laws progressively change, the children are suffering. Yes, the parent who shoulders the brunt of the financial responsibility suffers as well, but I believe that for there to be any change in the system and laws, there needs to be a change in attitude towards responsibility for children. It seems that the parent receiving any support is looked as an unwarranted, overpaid, "welfare" recipient. Well, as a woman in the financial business, I can easily shoot down that theory, but will it matter?
So, I want to explore the changes in our society and how we are acknowledging how our future is being influenced. I will admit, I do not know how a parent can walk away from a child and his/her responsibilities...And I think that is a basic moral obligation. We, as a country, spend a heck of a lot of time and money arguing the viability of a fetus, while we have lots of viable KIDS walking the planet. And maybe to make my kids see me as viable, I want to research this a little further and put my two cents out there, having been through this as a kid and now a single mom. I think our kids deserve more from all of us.
So, I want to start looking at where we are going as a society of single parents. I know, nobody wants to admit that it's a reality here to stay, but it is. And I, for one, would have liked a road map to help me and my kids to a healthier transition. While laws are constantly changing regarding divorce and child custody, there is no question in my mind that as laws progressively change, the children are suffering. Yes, the parent who shoulders the brunt of the financial responsibility suffers as well, but I believe that for there to be any change in the system and laws, there needs to be a change in attitude towards responsibility for children. It seems that the parent receiving any support is looked as an unwarranted, overpaid, "welfare" recipient. Well, as a woman in the financial business, I can easily shoot down that theory, but will it matter?
So, I want to explore the changes in our society and how we are acknowledging how our future is being influenced. I will admit, I do not know how a parent can walk away from a child and his/her responsibilities...And I think that is a basic moral obligation. We, as a country, spend a heck of a lot of time and money arguing the viability of a fetus, while we have lots of viable KIDS walking the planet. And maybe to make my kids see me as viable, I want to research this a little further and put my two cents out there, having been through this as a kid and now a single mom. I think our kids deserve more from all of us.
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