Michael Phelps: A Single Mom's Success
Aug 20, 2008 Twenty-three year old Michael Phelps isn't just a living legend in swimming. He's also a product of single mother, who
Photo by M@rcopakoraised him and his sisters alone after
her husband left her when they were youngsters. The Maryland native could have
let the myths of a broken home get the better of him, but America's top gold
medal winner at the Olympics appears to have used the experience as an
opportunity, say Divorce360 experts, who credit his mother's parenting
skills.Texas Psychologist Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D., and author of a number of books on parenting, isn't surprised, however. "In the process of having to do twice as much as an actively partnered parent, many a single parent becomes doubly dedicated to their children's growth, exerting an extremely powerful motivating influence in their lives. Some of the very best run families I have seen have had a single parent at the helm," he said.
"An intact family does not always guarantee a successful and happy child. The
quantity of parents is less important than the quality of parenting," said Dr. Mark Goulston, M.D.,
a business consultant, trainer, clinical psychiatrist and author of Get Out of
Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior.
Moments after Phelps won his first gold in the 400-meter
individual medley, he looked into the stands to see his mother, Debbie, and
sisters, cheering his victory. His father told The Baltimore Sun that he was
watching the games on TV from his home in Linthicum, Maryland. 
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Before the trip to China, Debbie Phelps told a
Maryland TV station that "Every parent who is sitting in the stands wants their
child to do their best." But for the single mom, it was a tougher road than
most. Debbie and Fred Phelps separated in 1993, and after a year, their divorce
was finalized when Michael was nine. Debbie Phelps spent the next few
years studying to become a middle school principal at the same time as she was
dealing with doctor's appointments to counter his diagnosis of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder.
Symptoms of ADHD include constant activity,
inability to focus attention and impulsive behavior. The condition is treated
with therapy and medication. Since the two sisters Phelps adored, Whitney and
Hilary, were swimmers, he was encouraged to become a swimmer as well as a way to
help him overcome his condition.
"Michael Phelps’s mom should win a
Mother of the Year award," said therapist Dr. Gilda Carle,
author of Don't Bet on the Prince! How to Have the Man You Want by Betting on
Yourself. "She single-handedly raised three kids, and since Michael had
learning disabilities, she gave him one thing on which he could focus and call
his own — his swimming. The Phelps experience shows how survival is all about
rising above anger and hostility toward an ex — and getting on with your
life. The best revenge is doing well!"
"This certainly disproves the
myth about kids having trouble when coming from broken homes," Carle said. "It’s
all in the parenting and direction we give our children -- whatever their
immediate surroundings. Each individual should have a skill she/he can nurture and
develop. I think this is one of the most inspiring American stories we have! And
this mom did this by not “betting on a prince” for help. She took on grad
school, ran a school, and nurtured her family — and played up their uniqueness.
She can be very proud."
TIPS FOR PARENTING
SUCCESS
Dr. Goulston offers these tips for parenting, single or
otherwise, to help your children be successful at the Olympic games of
life.
1. Help them identify and achieve goals.
Help
your child discover and develop their goals for themselves versus your goals for
them, and then help them figure out the steps on how to reach those
goals. Happiness is not a goal in life, it is the result of a well-lived life
that sets up and achieves goals that are satisfying and meaningful to the child.
Be mindful of living through your child" and don't do it. A child is not on this
earth to get you the second scoop of ice cream that you never
got.
2. Find mentors to help.
When you can find
mentors/coaches in the world who care about your children, shower those
authority figures with appreciation and offer what I call a "Power Thank You" to
them. That has 3 parts: Thank them for what they are specifically doing for your
child; Acknowledge the effort and commitment it takes for them to do it; Express
what it personally means to your and child and you.
3. Teach them
your core values.
Conflict is unavoidable in all families, but the
way you manage, deal and learn from the conflict depends on the parent's or
parents' core values. Core values are not what you say, think or believe, they
are what you do in your day to day behavior that you resist changing. If your
words match your actions, children will trust and respect you; if they don't,
they won't.
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Washington Post Link! Examiner Link! WNBC Link! Chicago Sun-Times! Reuters!
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