The other day, my youngest son, James, told me he loves his school. He asked what grades make up school. When he realized how many grades there are, he asked what happened after elementary school. So I briefly explained what grades are in middle school, and which grades are in high school. Inside, I was still marveling that he has been at the same school since kindergarten, and that’s no small accomplishment, especially for a single parent.

There are a lot of statistics on how being the child of a single parent can have adverse effects on children. Personally, I find those statistics annoying. My adoptive mother was widowed when I was 4, and my sister was 1. We turned out fine. But I know it was due to the supreme effort of my mom, as well as my grandparents, aunts and cousins.

Still, it is awesome that I have been able to keep James at the same school so far. My own mom took the consistency theory to heart. She kept us in the same house after my adoptive father died. She had other options, but she felt it was important to keep us in that house. Fortunately, my parents’ insurance made that possible. Having moved several times since my separation, I can better appreciate why it was important to her, and to my sister and me.

Raising James in a way that is healthy and happy is very important to me. I am thankful for my older son Erick, who helps make this possible. Recently, the boys have been taking some horseback riding lessons, and it is great to see them doing something they both enjoy together.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and in many ways, it really does. But raising a child starts at home, whether your parent or parents are rich or poor, kind or unkind, educated or not. Whatever the composition of your household, some kind of consistency matters. I am glad James has that in his life.