Encouragement for Single Parents...

Parenting is the toughest job you'll ever have. It's 24/7, no vacation days, no sick leave, and no certification requirements or training workshops. Professional development often comes in the form of trial and error and/or commiserating with other parents who may be just as perplexed as you!

The benefits? Priceless. Nothing speaks like the smile of a child, whether it's your own or someone else's. Nothing speaks like a child holding your hand, giving you a hug, or sitting by your side reading a book to you. Nothing grabs your heart like the love of a child.

I used to tell my high school students (many who were just a few years away from having children), to learn parenting skills watch old reruns of the Andy Griffith Show. What? Yes. Once you get beyond the black and white format of the show, there are some real nuggets there.

Think of it. Andy Taylor (Griffith) was a man before his time as a single dad in the late 1950s and early 60s. Of course, he did have Aunt Bea. Wouldn't we all love to have an Aunt Bea cleaning our houses and baking cookies in our kitchens? But, look at the attributes of Andy as a dad to dear, sweet, loveable Opie:

• He's calm & never overreacts (quite a contrast to the Don Knotts' character).
• He's consistent. Opie knows even a staged temper tantrum won't get his dad to cave. (That's a great episode.)
• He's not afraid to teach Opie responsibility. (When Opie kills a mama bird, Andy makes him hand feed the babies until they can fly away.)
• Andy Taylor follows up discipline with loving interaction.
• Sheriff Taylor spends time with his son. Opie knows he's the most important person in his life.

I could go on and on, but you'd accuse me of watching too much television. I haven't seen the show in years, but it was my lunchtime entertainment when I was a stay-at-home mom eons ago.

This brings me to a special group of parents: single parents. Theirs is a tough job:

• They are stretched to the max
• They endure family stresses some of us can't imagine
• They have the same fears all parents have about their children becoming responsible adults
• Much of what they do, they do alone

A group really overlooked is single dads. Single moms have more support programs and more publicity for their struggles. Let's face it--there are more of them. However, there is a growing number of men with 100% custody of their children. The resources for these men are limited. Even in the church single moms get support not available to faithful fathers who are trying to do it all alone.

Take heart single dads: we admire you and I hope to advertise your plight so there will be more support for the tough job you are doing. When  you're at your wit's end and need encouragement, pull up some old Andy Griffith reruns.

Sadly, Andy Griffith died on July 3, 2012. Many fans miss Sheriff Andy Taylor and Matlock.
Click here to view a delightful photo gallery of the Andy Griffith Show.

Mayberry just isn't the same!