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Life Stories 13/06/2025 09:30

From Awkward Duckling to Magnificent Swan: A Single Mom’s Journey with Her Son


As a single mom raising five children, I often worried about my son, who always seemed a bit different—showing up barefoot at friends’ houses or missing simple tasks others noticed effortlessly. He rarely turned in homework, even when completed in his backpack despite my constant reminders, yet aced every exam with perfect scores. In seventh grade, an evaluation for learning disorders revealed only ADD (without hyperactivity), though his academic level matched an 11th grader. Despite this, he maintained just two close friendships in high school and skipped typical social events like proms, leaving me anxious about his social skills.

When he left for college at 17, my concerns peaked. Had I pushed him into adulthood too soon, before legal maturity? Yet, my fears have transformed into pride. Now in his third year at the University of Hartford, he’s thriving with a growing circle of friends and a solid 3.5 GPA in psychology. Last summer, he counseled at a camp for adults with developmental disabilities—a feat unimaginable given his past extreme food sensitivities—and this summer, he’s been promoted to Assistant Camp Director. In January, he independently organized study abroad programs in South Africa, Paris, and Rome, securing scholarships and managing all logistics himself. I can imagine his confident stride as he navigates these achievements, a far cry from his earlier struggles.

Shared by its keeper, this story isn’t just about a son’s growth—it’s a celebration of a single mom’s faith and a reminder that some swans need extra time to emerge from their awkward duckling phase. He’s shattered every low expectation, and I now proudly declare: that magnificent swan was always my duckling, and I adore him completely. This inspiring tale encourages parents of children with untapped potential to hold faith, inspiring a culture of patience and belief in their eventual breakthroughs.

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