Single moms find your courage

Single Moms, remember the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz as he repeats over and over "CURRRAGE", how can this pertain to you?  Courage: That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution, per definitions.net.  These are just words, but what does this mean to you as you take on the role of a single mother either by choice or death of your mate, courage needs to not only be embraced but also become part of your being in order to carry on.  You are now thrust into a world where you will need to navigate the best course possible in raising your children on your own.

The first thing you’ll need to address is that of their basic needs, such as food and shelter. Once those have been established, you can take care of the other aspects of your new life,  the choosing of schools, doctors, etc.  Undoubtedly, your mind is still muddled with the fact that you no longer have your mate to co-parent with on a daily basis.  While you are going through this process,  the courage you summon is necessary  in order  to proceed from a place of confidence and strength.   However, if you think of that cowardly lion and repeat to yourself "CURRRAGE" ,   you can persevere perhaps even with a little smile.  If you can incorporate courage with a sense of humor, and remind yourself that,  "this too shall pass",  it will make this transition a little easier for you.   Starting  from a place of strength, through your own life experiences or from the support of friends and family,  you can create the foundation from which courage may thrive.   Eventually, the lioness within you will dominate and in time relieve your overwhelming sense of  uncertainty.

“The quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness or without fear..."  Another  aspect of the definition of courage,  will be to embrace your role as sole disciplinarian of the children. If you show weakness or  inability to be firm with the children, you will be setting the stage for a struggle as they start to reach puberty/teen years, consistency in discipline is essential.   Although, we are not perfect beings and at times the job can be overwhelming, consistency should be the goal in disciplining "with firmness".  It requires a lot of strength and courage in raising well behaved children especially as they test their mother's limits as a single parent.  The courage to remain fair but firm while disciplining  can be all consuming but the rewards as they grow older is well worth the effort.  Of course, fear of the unknown undoubtedly surfaces at times, which is  normal while taking on this major role as a single parent, but if you invoke the lion's  “CURRRAGE”,  you will move forward with greater ease  into your new life, hope and dreams.

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