On Second Thought: Episode 6, How Do I Get Tripp to Behave?

Trust me, it’s crazy to see your life on television. That’s why every week, I’m going to do a blog posts called “On Second Thought.” These posts are where I will go over the episodes of my Lifetime show as I process the issues presented now that I’ve seen them aired.  I hope you’ll join me for these weekly posts – which will undoubtedly be part-confession, part-explanation, and part-celebration of my life right now!

Episode Six, Air Date: July 3, 2012

This episode got real, didn’t it? Honestly, I wish I could pretend life as single mom is perfect.  I wish I could show you the photos of Tripp and everyone would say, “Oh, isn’t he an angel?”

But every parent of small children knows kids are not always good.  Even in the best circumstances, they’re tough, challenging, and frustrating.  (Right now, somewhere, my mom is smiling.)

My circumstance, of course, is not “the best circumstance.”  I got pregnant when I wasn’t married, and, consequently, my son doesn’t have his father in his life.  I have to deal with this reality every day of my life.  But our imperfect circumstances don’t mean Tripp gets to grow up acting any way he pleases.  He might be from a “broken home,” but that doesn’t mean he has to be broken.  As a mom, I don’t have to be broken.

So where does that leave me?  Sometimes, as you could see in this episode, I’m very confused. I hate to be “the bad guy,” and I wish I had a husband who could be the disciplinarian.  Many of you saw Dad make his debut on my show, and he did it by giving me a speech!  Nice!  Of course, I know I should listen to him, because (as I’ve mentioned before) I have the best father ever.

The Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) has a great little booklet called “Single Parents,” which provides a great deal of helpful advice:

“You don’t have to be both mother father and mother to your child.  God is with you…  God assuredly has your child’s best interest in his heart, even more than you do.”

Okay, CCEF, I believe you.  But how does that mean I respond when Tripp talks back to me?! That’s the part I’m working through, and I appreciate all the kind words of encouragement as I figure all of this out!

Tripp, thankfully, did behave at Mom’s surprise party.  Again, I love my family so much, and I was so glad that everyone came together and pretended to like the cake I made.  (Well, it was better before Trig sprayed spit all over it to blow out the candles!) Mom liked her little pink pistol.  She already has a pink bb gun, so this is a nice addition.

After all, you can’t keep a bb gun in your purse!

You might also enjoy these articles on the Faith and Family Channel:

• See the Promo for Life’s a Tripp
• On Second Thought: Episode 1
• On Second Thought: Episode 2
• On Second Thought: Episode 3
• On Second Thought: Episode 4
• On Second Thought: Episode 5

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