Divorce has a wide array of effects on children. They are certainly faced with more hardships than your average child in a two parent home and have had to overcome things in their young life that they never should have had to endure. It can be difficult at times and affects all children differently. We’ve all heard the typical stereotypes of children from these broken homes. They don’t do as well in school, they are more likely to have behavior problems, they may struggle with their future relationships, and they are more likely to end up in jail. As a single parent the statistics are rather disheartening.
While there have been numerous studies regarding the effect divorce has on children, it is important to do what you can as a parent to make sure they don’t end up as one of them. Just because your child is being raised by a single parent does not mean they are doomed to failure. Children from divorced homes can and often are just as successful as their two-parent counterparts. They have had to overcome challenges in their lives that give them a certain strength throughout their young lives. They have had to face trials and had to work hard to come out on the other side. They’ve learned that they can do hard things, because they’ve already done them.
A few weeks ago, a man in our neighborhood was talking to my father about my little Logan. He has a son that is a year and a half younger than him and is starting the year off in Logan’s primary class at our church. He told my father how thrilled he was that Sam would be in Logan’s class because he’s seen such an amazing example he is to him already. He emulates everything that he wants his own son to see and do. He is quiet and respectful at church and treats everyone kindly. He has seen that he treats his mother well and is thrilled that Sam will have such a great example to look up to church and treats everyone kindly. He has seen that he treats his mother well and is thrilled that Sam will have such a great example to look up to this year. I was so touched by this compliment, because I, like many single mothers, have worried that the statistics were against me, but it is comforting to know that we can beat the odds. It is up to us to teach these little ones the right path, whether we are doing it alone or not.