Parenting is a team sport, even when it isn’t. There’s an infinite number of circumstances that determine why or how a child lands in a single-parent home. While single parenthood is not an indictment on the child’s future, it can present challenges that weigh heavily on the primary custodial parent. How do single mothers navigate that process without losing it? The work is nuanced for every situation, yet the show must go on.

In this episode, Gelina and Jondrea, hosts of the Queens of Kings Podcast, share their journey to and through single parenthood. Both are raising young black kings. They provide a transparent view of the challenges and heartbreak they experienced in prior relationships, which also yielded their greatest blessings, their sons. We walked through the range of emotions each of them experienced during their healing journeys, and how those lessons inform and empower them today.

We also discussed the importance a positive male influence, be it the biological father or a #FatherFigure, they know their boys need to see certain behaviors and characteristics that a mother just cannot model. How else does a boy learn how to become a man? There are many narratives and agendas that attempt to devalue the importance of two-parent homes or positive co-parenting relationships that are endangering current and future generations. In some instances, boys are unfairly levied with grown man expectations in the absence of a responsible man in the house.

Let’s be clear, Gelina and Jondrea are great mothers. This episode broadened my perspective on how my actions as a father impact how my daughters see and understand men. What has been your parenthood experience? If you could choose one lesson to learn without the pain you experienced while learning it, what would that be?

As always, I welcome your feedback and perspective. It takes a village.