Single Parents
 

Dear Sorors,

I am raising two beautiful boys. My sons are 9 and 11. Their father is not involved in their lives. My oldest has very little self-esteem. My youngest son excels in everything. My oldest son often says that I love my youngest more than I love him. This is not the truth; however, it is a truth to him. It seems as if failure has attached itself to my oldest son. If he has a glass in his hand, he drops it. If he walks by a lamp, he breaks it. If I give him money, he loses it. If there's a kick ball game, he's always the last to be chosen. He says that the kids make fun of him all of the time. Mys son is quite handsome and very intelligent. I don't understand why this is happening to him. One day I was listening to him pray. He asked the Lord to roll the reproach away from his life (our pastor was preaching about rolling the reproach away). He was in tears. My son sings really well. He plays the piano and he loves to write. No matter how hard I try to affirm and encourage him he still feels badly. I am determined to be a good parent. The streets, the jail, nor the gangs will ever get my boys. I tell them everyday that they will be problem solvers of the world and not problems of the world. If anyone has any suggestions regarding how to raise my son's self-esteem, please let me know.

Please pray for my boys and me.

Sincerely,

Conskeeted Skee Wee

MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU!!!! I truly respect and honor women like you. I, too am a single mother, of a son, as well. His biological father lives all the way across the country and has little to no contact with my son,however my fiance loves my son and treat him as his own. Though,I often worry what impact this will later play, if any, in my son's life and how I will handle the situation. I hope I am as strong as you appear to be....

OHHLALA!

Prior to my current position...I coordinated a mentor's program. Perhaps your son would benefit from having a positive male in his life...one that has the same interests or one that can support you by encouraging him in all that he does. You would be surprised what kind of effects a mentor can have in a child's life. Contact your local Big Brother / Big Sister agency or some college's provide mentors to area youth or perhaps someone at the church would be willing to help. Best of luck to you and your son!!!

Thanks! I really needed to know that someone else cares. I have another question. I want to change my user's name, but I don't know how. Can anyone help me?

Conskeeted Skee Wee

[This message has been edited by Lynn Luckett (edited October 02, 2000).]