raising sucessful daughters

I too am a single parent with a daughter who is going to graduate in January. But my daughter will not graduate in the top 10% of her class. I think I have modeled hard work and good values, but when I got divorced, things went to hell in a hand-basket rather quickly. I have allowed her to make some her own choices with a lot of things (made her take the ACT though when she said, "Mom, I'm not going to college."). I think being there, listening, modeling, and allow freedom to make mistakes is the cornerstone of parenting a daughter. She'll be ok, and I think successful in what ever she chooses to do.

It takes being there when they need you. Listening to them, being firm but fair. Best of luck to your daughter. I also raised my daughter by myself and I couldn't be more proud of how she has turned out.

Congratulations to you and your daughter, it sounds like you've done a great job and I agree with what you wrote. I did the same with my three older children but the youngest got away with too much and still gets away with too much. She also just graduated from high school and has no plans or immediate goals. She seems to feel that life owes her, that I owe her and I am now reaping what I have sowed with her. Eventually I will turn her around but, you're so right, start working on your kids when they're young and they will be successful.