Habits Make the Woman
Gail Cawley Showalter
If you want to make your life and household go smoothly I suggest looking at your habits. I’m telling you what I wish someone had told me oh so many years ago. My bad habits are catching up with me. Changing them at this point is no easy task. Some don’t seem worth it. I know now why older folks get lazy and eat a lot of fattening food.
I know five habits that you can begin now. Each one helped me to make it through sixteen years as a divorced mom of three children. Some came easily, others I learned along the way-the very long way.
- Eat breakfast-the most important meal of the day. According to the American Dietetic Association, children who eat breakfast perform better in the classroom and on the playground, with better concentration, problem-solving skills, and eye-hand coordination http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/many-benefits-breakfast
- Get enough sleep-during times of stress, like raising children alone, your sleep may suffer. Ironically this is when you need it most. http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/importance_of_sleep_and_health
- Listen well-one of my favorite quotes is “Being listened to is so close to being loved that most people can’t tell the difference.” David Oxley Develop this habit for your children’s sakes.
- Attend church-I know how difficult it is for single moms to get up, dress children, and make it to church when this may be your only day to rest. Do it anyway. Church can be a real support system for you as well as your children.
- Pray-If your children watch you and know that you pray and depend on the Lord for your strength and guidance, they will have the confidence to pray too. http://www.imom.com/tools/build-relationships/10-ways-to-teach-your-child-to-pray/
Gail holds a degree from Lamar University in Speech and a Master’s from the University of Texas. She married Sam after raising three children as a single mother. She was an educator in regular and special education for eighteen years, finishing her professional career as a Braille teacher. In 2007 She founded SMORE for Women. SMORE is a Texas nonprofit association whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered. Gail leads a SMORE Sunday Support Group at Calder Baptist and manages the ministry that offers DAYS of Blessing and Retreats for single mothers. SMORE has a website at www.smoreforwomen.org Gail’s stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines, and she writes newspaper editorials.
Gail Cawley Showalter 