Category Archives: self estem

Happy Father’s day Here’s to those Dad’s raising their children alone

I think our media does not cover how many dad’s are raising their children today.

I have a  high school friend of mine Don,who’s wife walked out on him and his children in the late 80’s. Don’s  daughter was 5 year old girl and his son was 9 year old boy at the time. Don had a very demanding corporate career at that time  and had to adjust his life to balance his career and additional family responsibility. It was so hard for him because he always wanted to married and have a family.

For many years Done was alone raising his children, address all the issues of single parenting, without any support. Most people don’t think of dad’s raising children and mother abandoning  her children.

Don divorced his wife. He’s ex-wife was uninterested in being a mother any more, she id not visit her children or   contact the children on their birthdays or holidays. Don never spoke badly of his ex-wife around his children. He could have.

Don learned how to braid his daughter”s hair before school. He involved  his children in  Boy Scouts,Girl Scouts, Soccer, after high school sports. He took his kids camping , and boating. Together they had many fun adventures.

Don remarried while his children were in grammar school. His wife Barbara  was as committed to supporting the children, but not wanting the children to feel she was taking the place of their mother.

Don’s children are grown adults now, college grads and both are happily married. I know how grateful they are to their father for raising them and showing his love to them.

Today is Father’s Day, so  here is to all those dad’s that took the time to raise and enjoy their children!

 

My granddaughter is finalist- Military Child of the Year- Air Force

Being a mom was rewarding, but being a grandma is the ultimate! And having others recognize your grandchildren efforts is such an a humbling feeling.

My granddaughter Bailey is a finalist for Operation Home Front – Military Child of the Year. She was selected   for her  efforts helping military families. Going to  Yellow Ribbon events, speaking, blogging on their website http://deployedkids.com and writing their book- Deployed Kids/ How we survived our mom’s deployment

She wanted other militray kids not to be sacred when their parent deploys.

Most military children can not talk about their parents deployment. It’s so hard for kids to talk to others about their loss, it is like a death. Then the feeling of being alone, not having anyone that can support and understand you.

I believe talking with my grandchildren and having them share their fears helps them face the fears. And now my granddaughters are sensitive to others, because of what they have gone through.

There are 20 very deserving finalists for Military Child of the Year- Air Force. Just being a finalist she is a winner to me!

If we start our children out young to see the needs of our society, and to help others, our world would be a better place!

 

How Military Children’s Charity (MCC) organization is supporting deployed children

This nonprofit organization www.militraychildrenscharity.org is founded by a young teenager, Isaiah  Navarro seeing the need to help deployed military children. He felt  deployed children have special needs when a parents is deployed. Being a military child himself, he said he know the challenges and feelings of isolation,abandoned  and having a parent  absent of all your school activates when his father deploys. Concentrating in school is difficult for deployed children because they are concerned of their parent’s safety.

Isaiah began by collecting funds to purchase gifts for the deployed children. MCC first started by distributing Christmas gifts in Southern California with assistance by the Family Readiness Officers of the Marines.  MCC is planning on expanding into a  National presence with all military branches providing gifts all year round for deployed children.

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My granddaughters were visiting during Spring break a few weeks ago and had an opportunity to meet Isaiah and his mother Cherie. Isaiah and his mother presented my granddaughters  gifts and thanked them for all so serving our Country, knowing what they sacrificed during their mother’s deployment. My granddaughters were so excited to accept their gifts. They were giggling and laughing. What a wonderful experience for military children.

Isaiah’s mother Cherie ,has provided Isaiah great support and have helped build Isaiah a strong self esteem.   I am proud to know such a fine young man and a wonderful organization. I look forward  in the future to helping him support his dream. You can too at: www.militarychildrenscharity.org