**Random Reflection**: I thank God for my mom, she taught me to work hard and never depend on anyone…

**Random Reflection**: I thank God for my mom, she taught me to work hard and never depend on anyone to do for me what I could do for myself. She told me when I was 18 and pregnant to understand this was MY baby and if the dad helped (he didn't) good but if not the show must go on. She is the reason that since 18 I have been able to obtain and keep long term very good jobs with no college degree. She's the reason I had the desire to go back to school and finish my degree( less than a year to go!). I also thank my dad for telling me at age 13 that I had a mom to look to for help he couldn't help me because he had to worry about my older brother. This showed me that if I can't go to the man that birthed me for help I damn sure can't look to no man in the street to help me.

Even with my moms positive example I also saw she had no man to help her which through my experiences I've developed what I call the Independent Woman Syndrome. Over my years of dating I've made it a point to show I can do it all with out your (a man) help. This has caused me not to hold the guys I've dated accountable for being a man, I felt I have to do it anyway so I'm not gone ask for help with things I would have to do if he wasn't present be it something simple as taking the trash out. I feel it's things you shouldn't have to as a man to do they should do it on their own and if they don't oh well I will do it myself, but that's not the way a relationship should work, it's a partnership, a team. If you with a man and they see you are hardworking and a mother on top of that if their in a position to help they should in anyway possible and if they don't then that's probably not the man to have. But at the same time you have to let them be a man you can't take that away from them which I know I have done in the past so some guys are like she got it she don't need me for nothing so I'm not gonna do anything. But a real man will take the time to show you that he is willing to help you be your support system.

Anyone other than me suffer from Independent Woman Syndrome??? Lol