The breaking down of the family unit has been detrimental to human well-being. A complete set of parents who bring up their children and grow old together is all too often a beautiful dream that does not come true. Instead there is this nightmare of divorce. It’s probably more a nightmare for the children than it is for the parents. While the adults move on from their ex-spouse there is no such thing as an ex-dad or ex-mom for a child. Technically speaking, children would be at odds with themselves had they moved on the same way as their parents did. They carry both parents’ genes inside of them. It’s admirable how children navigate through the change in relationship status. They have to somehow reconcile the fact that they love both parents who don’t love each other.

I’m speaking from experience of course – my brothers and I grew up in a single parent household. Our mother married twice and had children with both husbands whom she both divorced. Our mother brought up four beautiful children. That’s quite the task, and she tackled it with passion. So, here is to all single parents – they are war heroes in my book.

In a perfect world, children benefit from a set of two parents to have the best learning experience growing up. Listening to a father’s advice and benefiting from a mother’s input is a bonus for a child. A father’s point of view will differ from a mother’s, and that difference will help pull things into perspective.

For children to have both a father’s and a mother’s wisdom at their disposal may not be taken for granted. It’s a blessing. But even if we don’t have both parents growing up, God can provide. Beyond that, we all could use a little wisdom. Even in old age with a lot of experience under our belt we are smart to listen for God’s input.

Never stop learning and we won’t stop growing until the day we die. Stay curious, my friend!