Course Diversions - Being a Single Mom 10

Anita Delene Manthe
Feb 16, 2017
2 min read

Our last discussion focused on staying the course. Rewards will come with consistency – when new family patterns become habit, and the repetition of them institutes a tradition. Ones that will be valued and have an effect beyond your home. This should be the goal of every parent.

What those rewards may be will vary from family to family, and to single-parents. Our family whose children have cognitive disabilities – the reward for the mom is that finally there is an association between what she is asking her children, the index card, and the answer – a correct response. The joy she has in these moments is sufficient reward for her. But what about the children? Should we have a reward system for them too? Why not? I think it would be a good idea to make it fun, interactive and part of the family’s daily activities.

Be creative with what you believe will be the best reward system for your family. Rewards can be as simple as expressions of joy and delight, praise, comforting words, or it can be a treat. Some children will memorize scripture for a nickel or a dime, others for a quarter. However, there are some who memorize Scripture for fun.

However, even the best strategies can fall apart – they can fail. Diversions will come, distract us, and we may find our old patterns of life threatening to overthrow our hard won victories. Although this may be discouraging – we do not need to despair. Recognizing our old patterns are resurfacing allows us to revisit our goals, and address why they were not successful. Perhaps another strategy will help them be accomplished. Be more realistic in what you are asking of your children. And, be realistic of what you are expecting of yourself.

Loosing track because of diversions does not mean give up. We need to learn to reassess our situation, and find the best road to take us to our destination. What do we want, and what do we need to do to get there? What does it look like for you? Do you need another mom to help you with planning, and developing ideas for your children, creative ways to interact with them? To make new ways of living part of your way of life, your new traditions.

Encourage one another!

The righteous falls seven times and rises again (Proverbs 24:16).
If they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:10)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19).
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand (Psalm 37:23-24).
Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all (1 Thessalonians 5:11-12).