Single Parent Again: I Hope My Kids Remember a Mom Who Adored Them by Dawn Taylor

I started out as a single mom. When my sons were 5 and 12, I married a younger man and agreed to have more children (God willing) if I could be a stay-at-home mom, at least until the kids were in school full time. Having two daughters less than a year apart was a surprise, but I happily embraced it.

I had many health issues soon after my youngest was born, and my marriage began to crumble from the stress. Not your typical marriage falling apart, but a scary, sometimes violent time that in a million years I could not have predicted. My professor husband became a man I didn’t recognize, and our family life became tragic.

When my daughters were just 8 and 9, their father hit rock bottom. Not only did they live in a broken home, but the court ordered no visitation. Once again, I was a single parent and jumped into survival mode. I run from job to job; at times, the kids have to fend for themselves and they often see me exhausted.

I’ve taught them to be independent. I’ve taught them how to be hard working. They always rise to the occasion. And shine. I hope they remember a mom who laughed with them. Who sang with them. I hope they remember a mom who adored them.