Parenting as a Christian Single Dad

I have found the following quote by Martin Luther King to ring true for me and my situation with Madalyn: The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. It is during those times of challenge and controversy is when I see my short comings, the areas I need God to work on me. Being a single dad I get discouraged and often times have to figure things out on my own only to find I am doing it wrong. I love Madalyn and I want to be the best daddy I can be and even though I don't care for challenge much it is those times that show me the kind of man I am and the kind of man I want to be.

I like what James Dobson has to say about putting others first. As a Christian I have heard it before and obviously failed but for some reason it really has touched my heart at this point and time. Here is what James Dobson has to say... TWO people are not compatible simply because they love each other and are both professing Christians. Many young couples assume that the sunshine and flowers that characterized their courtship will continue for the rest of their lives. No way, Jose. It is naive to expect two unique and strong-willed individuals to mesh together like a couple of machines. Even gears have multiple cogs with rough edges to be honed before they will work in concert. That honing process usually occurs in the first year or two of marriage. The foundation for all that is to follow is laid in those critical months. What often occurs at this time is a dramatic struggle for power in the relationship. Who will lead? Who will follow? Who will determine how the money is spe...

I like what James Dobson has to say about being equally yoked. If I would of known then what I know now maybe things would of been different. Before I was married I thought that by finding a Christian woman was all I needed. I did not realize that two Christians could be unequally yoked. I ended up learning that lesson the hard way. Here is what James Dobson has to say... TWO people are not compatible simply because they love each other and are both professing Christians. Many young couples assume that the sunshine and flowers that characterized their courtship will continue for the rest of their lives. No way, Jose. It is naive to expect two unique and strong-willed individuals to mesh together like a couple of machines. Even gears have multiple cogs with rough edges to be honed before they will work in concert. That honing process usually occurs in the first year or two of marriage. The foundation for all that is to follow is laid in those critical months. What often occurs...

More often than not I find myself in a situation where I have to be firm with Madalyn. I struggle with this because I want to be the best daddy and I don't want her to be mad at me. I give in to easily and I have resorted to bribery. I can hear the "gasp" as you read this. I would gasp too but mine is more of a sigh in defeat. So here is what God has revealed to me...Be strong for her sake and mine. She will always love me and it is my job to teach her about God not to worry about what she thinks of me. She wants me to provide for her in a loving manner and in a matter of speaking she needs to be disciplined by her daddy, just as I do. Luckily she is only 2, I still have time to change my ways and grow up in the process to provide her a well rounded home and family.

The past week has really taken a toll on me at work. I don't see myself being able to make a career out of being the company scape goat, unless they pay me A LOT more. If it can go wrong it will is my new modo. So as I sit here and feel sorry for myself I think all the way back to yesterday when Madalyn seemed to have a bad night. First she was running to the playground and for some reason she took a flying dive in the parking lot. OUCH! We worked through that... then she was playing and smacked her head hard, leaving a nice bruise on her cheek. I figure she has had enough punishment for one night so we come home. During the evening she is making sure I am behind her so she is not watching where she is going and walks right into the bookcase. This poor kid is just taking a beating... Kind of reminds me of the way things are going for me. So should I sit around and feel sorry for myself?????? I think I might do that for about another 5 minutes but then it is time get back t...

My precious little angel is still precious but lately she is less and less of an angel. The way she bosses me around and gets angry when she doesn't get her way has me questioning who really is in control here. I would like to think that I am but realistically I think she is getting the upper ground. I better put a stop to it otherwise I am going to be in trouble later down the road. The last thing that I want to be is a Disney Land dad. I want Madalyn to grow up knowing that she can count on me and I love her more than anything on this earth. It scares me to be firm with her but I really don't have a choice, I am winging this parenting thing. I also strugle with my exwife because she has not shown up to see Madalyn twice this week because her schedule didn't permit. I never want to be like that. I can't imagine not seeing Madalyn, when I am with her I experience the blessing of God and I love it. I hurt for Madalyn and I only hope that I can provide for her wha...