INSPIRATIONAL: How to be a good father to your ex and your children

Sunday, October 13, 2024

FROM QUORA

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Regular People & Their Amazing Stories
Posted by Richard Strachan

“”This is my ex. This right here is more valuable than gold.

This is a man who doesn’t pay a dime through the state because when my son needs new clothes, I just call him.

This is a man who buys a bundle of kids’ movies on Vudu so even I can enjoy them with my son in my own home.

A man who drops off the $45 box of pull-ups at my front door so I don’t have to load my son up and go to the store.

One who takes his son in on 10 minute notice, far more often than he should, because I have too much to get done or just need a nap.

This is a man who listens to me cry because I’m stressed out.

This is a man who tells his son not to forget mommy’s boyfriend when he lists his favorite people off the top of his head.

A man who rushes over because we got locked out of the house, or spends his evening fixing something for us.

This is a man who labeled the presents he bought his son from ‘mommy’ because mommy couldn’t get him as many.

A man who still watches my sister’s kids so our son can be with his cousins.

One who accompanies me to meet strangers from Craigslist to ensure we are safe.

This is the diaper-bag-wearing, chocolate-milk-making, selfless, protective, generous, accomplished FATHER to my son.

The amount of obstacles we’ve had to overcome to get to this point are tremendous. This was not easy; this was a choice. Stop giving excuses and come together for your children. I’m the most stubborn person I know and forgiveness came easy to us for the sake of our son. And because of that, I see my son every single day. We always welcome each other’s presence.

In case I haven’t told you lately, I’m grateful for you. Most importantly, for the motivated individual you are and how you provide Pierson with a phenomenal role model despite the foundation you once had. I love the amount of love my son will always have from you.””

Credit: Jessica Singleton

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I’ve seen lot of broken homes and this “ex” should be the exemplar that we all seek to emulate.

Makes me sad to think of what could have been.

In my own life and those of many many others.

—30—

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INSPIRATIONAL: “Tests” and school should NOT obsure the real purpose of education

Sunday, October 6, 2024

FROM QUORA

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Regular People & Their Amazing Stories
Posted by Taresa Strachan

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“I gave my 10 year old a math test today. He spent nearly an hour and used four sheets of scratch paper. He worked each problem with intense concentration. And then with a deep breath he handed it to me to be graded.

I quickly worked my way through the test and calculated his score.

“It’s an 89” I said, “that’s a high B.”

Immediately his eyes filled with tears. He had done his best work, given his greatest effort and had still come up short.

I looked at my boy and back down at his paper.

And then I ripped it in half.

My boy is amazing in the kitchen. He can cook a meal for the entire family without breaking a sweat.

My boy is incredible at putting things together. He uses tools like a skilled craftsman.

My boy is a founding member of the mother/son debate team, (I just made that up) he can persuade me into doing things I never planned to do.

My boy is hilarious. He is always the first one to make a joke at the dinner table.

My boy is a sensitive soul. He’s kind and gentle when that sort of thing is necessary.

My boy is diligent. He will work at something until he feels it’s as good as it can be.

My boy is NOT defined by the grade on his math paper.

When I ripped that paper up, I looked my boy in the eyes and I told him how I had watched him. How I saw him give his best, how he considered each problem and checked each one until he felt it was complete. I watched him erase and rework problems he was unsure of. I watched him pour every bit of effort in his little body into that test.

And I told him I had never been more proud.

Children are so much more than test scores. They are so much more than their reading level. They are so much more than the box we try to mold them in to.

School is important, education is important but it’s not of highest importance.

I am more concerned with how he treats others, with his level of integrity and his desire to serve Jesus than any score on any test.

I am more concerned with his ability to learn how to use his talents to earn money for his family.

I am more concerned with the character that we are building than the division facts on the paper.

Our children should have an opportunity to show us where they excel, especially in the elementary years.

I was shocked at the pressure he felt to do well on that test. I never imagined the tears of disappointment that would fall. I admire his ambition and his desire to do well.

I have never been more proud of an 89 on a math test.”

Credit: Sprinkles In My Closet

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Just the other night I saw a seven year old ADHD boy master “counting by twos” page of homework.  He got in a rhythm, had fun, big smile,and was so pleased with himself.  I gave him a round of applause and he was even prouder.  

Not that he still won’t get in trouble for doing dumb things, but he says “he hates math because it’s hard”, I’ll remind him of “adding twos”. 

It’s more important that he seeks that endorphin filled moment of accomplishment so that when life’s problems face him  — as they do for us all  — he can slog through them without being discouraged.

I’m sure he’ll remember these formative positive moments long after his adults are gone.

That’s the essential human teaching to leave behind.

—30—

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ENCOURAGING: Let’s do more than pray!

Saturday, September 28, 2024

<<< FROM QUORA >>> 

Regular People & Their Amazing Stories
Taresa Strachan

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A mother made a run to Walmart with her young son. While in the store, she turned around and he was gone. She looked all over for him, and was on the verge of becoming frantic when she walked to the front of the store and spotted him.

She was just getting ready to lay some scolding on him when she realized he was doing something very strange. He was kneeling at one of the benches just inside the store and he was praying. She could not understand why he was doing this. Then she looked above him at the huge poster he was facing. It had photos and descriptions of missing children, and it read: “Every second counts.”

So she took a photo of her son doing this and posted it on Facebook. It went viral in no time. And as it did, one Facebook commenter summed it up pretty well, writing: “Whether or not you believe in God really doesn’t matter. This was a child in Walmart who was thinking about others and doing the only thing he could to help. The world would be a better place if everyone followed his example.”

Photo courtesy: 89.5 KVNE

# – # – # – # – # 

https://www.missingkids.org/home

https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/search/poster-results

Erick Sanchez
NCIC# M357784090
Missing Since: February 14, 2024
Piscataway, NJ
Age Now: 16 Years Old
Male

# – # – # – # – # 

I can’t imagine what this child’s family is going through.

We need more than platitudes, milk cartons, and web pages.

Let’s all look.

Sigh!

—30—

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