As a divorced mom, I raised three sons, and for my two youngest, I was doing it completely without their father. I remember the weight of that and the realization that I wasn't "daddy" and I couldn't be, because nature just wasn't designed that way. But I learned a secret while struggling to come up with effective ways to get out of survival mode. Mothering solo doesn’t mean parenting alone. I began co-parenting with God, relying on Him to fill the gaps that felt too wide for me to bridge.The strategy started with a hard truth we have to help our sons grasp: God is nothing like men. If an earthly father was absent or unloving, a boy’s view of "Father God" is often fractured. We have to reframe that character through our own leadership and by diving into the Word to show them a Father who never leaves. But it doesn't stop with us. I remember when my youngest was 13 and terrified of the calling on his life. I prayed for a mentor, and God provided a youth pastor who was also a court attorney. He was a man of stability and integrity who stayed. Twenty years later, they are still friends. That mentorship didn’t just give my son a role model; it gave him a blueprint for manhood.I’ve always prioritized conversation and community. People used to stop me on the train and ask, "Is that your son? You two talk like you’re friends." I took pride in that because I knew I had to be the sum of his influences. Yet, as Jim Rohn famously said, “we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” With that in mind, being mindful of the company your sons keep is crucial int keeping him focused on what’s important in life. I had to oversee his "circle of five," ensuring he was surrounded by godly peers. Note: The only reason I created a Facebook account was to oversee my son’s action on social media. I was terrified that they would connect with unsafe people online. But I needn’t worry and I realized I didn’t need to keep on eye on them all the time. I encourage you also, to add another layer to your leadership when daddy is absent. Encourage your son to read about biblical role models like David, who was far from perfect but was humble. He recognized when he messed up and embraced God to help him escape trouble. Also, Joseph, who modeled integrity despite the many difficulties her suffered. Finally by building consistent spiritual habits—reading the Word and praying together—our sons can move from fearing their future to embracing their calling. We don’t have to live continuously in survival mode. We can help our sons shake the legacy of absence and raise men who will stand strong for generations.While the heart of our mission is spiritual, we must also use the right tools to ensure this message reaches every mother searching for a lifeline.If the idea of God as your Father intrigue you, I encourage you to check out Day 12: God, Our Father in Courage to Believe 21 Day Christian Devotional for Single Moms. It’s available in French, German, English, and Spanish on the free Kindle app: https://amzn.to/440sjViIf you have a question or just want to talk, please leave me a message at https://www.jrosemarie.com/contact or WhatsApp: 1 917-994-1329.Something to ponder today: Think about the concept of “co-parenting with God”. What would life look like for you (how would your life change) if you adapted the framework outlined in this episode?https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/helping-your-son-connect-with-god-when-daddy-is-absentThis podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.Mentioned in this episode:Co-Parenting with God to Break the Fatherless Legacy and Raise Sons of IntegrityParenting solo is not for the faint of heart. But we don’t have to do it on our own. This episode is a framework for mothers raising sons as a single parent. It explains how to help your son shake off the legacy of the absentee father. Whether the father is absent through choice or tragedy, this episode is a guide to help you get the help you need to raise boys of integrity and strength.Audible: Get 3 months for $0.99/mCo-Parenting with God to Break the Fatherless Legacy and Raise Sons of IntegrityParenting solo is not for the faint of heart. But we don’t have to do it on our own. This episode is a framework for mothers raising sons as a single parent. It explains how to help your son shake off the legacy of the absentee father. Whether the father is absent through choice or tragedy, this episode is a guide to help you get the help you need to raise boys of integrity and strength.Audible: Get 3 months for $0.99/mThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy