10 Things That I Just Love!

 Posted by Bill on September 17, 2010  Dealing with Divorce and Your Ex, General, Getting Your New Life In Order, Raising Children as a Single Parent, Taking Time for Yourself, Teenagers, The Craziness of Single Parenting, Uncategorized  No Responses »
Sep 172010
 

God knows that being a single parent has its challenges. I so often feel like the guy who showed up for a doubles match in tennis, only to find out that his partner couldn’t make it. You better be quick on your feet and anticipate the next move if you are going to be successful.

I have written before that, in my opinion, the most difficult part of being a single parent is finding the time to get everything done. We love our children, and hopefully we are there for them. But too often we neglect our own needs in the process. I may not always be able to control my free time, but there are certain things that I can control. I have come up with a list of ten things that just make me feel good. The list is in no particular order. I hope that it will provide you with the inspiration you may need to just feel good.

  1. Listening to my kids talk about their day. I mean really listening. Face to face, eye to eye and without distractions.
  2. Getting up at 4:30 a.m. and working out.
  3. Grounding my son when he doesn’t turn in his homework. This one really makes me feel good.
  4. Braiding my daughter’s hair.
  5. Reminding my kids of how much their mother loved them, and of all the wonderful qualities they received from her.
  6. Doing something for the less fortunate on the spur of the moment.
  7. Telling my kids that I love them.
  8. Allowing them to fail and then watching with pride as they learn from it.
  9. Going to church and thanking God for this gift that he has given me.
  10. Calling an old friend just to say hi.

    11. Continue reading »

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Are You Indestructible?

 Posted by Lisa on September 17, 2010  General  No Responses »
Sep 172010
 

More than a decade ago when my kids were in diapers I read the book, Surrendering to Motherhood by Iris Krasnow. I read it several times, passed it out to friends, we discussed. I worked at home and was trying to balance motherhood and a full-time writing career. Many late nights, early mornings, and working weekends ensued. I was immersed in motherhood– the early years. I look back now, the time indeed has gone quickly, and I do not have regrets.

Krasnow went on to write another book and then a few more. I just stumbled on her website and a book called Surrendering to Yourself. It is written–I would guess–for a somewhat older demographic than mine but one quote stuck with me:

“Friends come and go, loved ones die, jobs shift, children leave home. The only person you can count on to go the distance is you. So, we all must develop immense soul power and self-love, so that when our worlds come unraveled, our selves will remain intact and strong. Because when all else fails, we still have ourselves, and selves that are grounded in truth and self-acceptance are spiritually indestructible.” Continue reading »

Silly is the new sexy

 Posted by Tracy on September 15, 2010  General  No Responses »
Sep 152010
 

Recently I was walking in Ikea with a client. And next thing I know, the guy had a little skip in his step while singing an old Wiggles song with lyrics that go like this, “Cold spaghetti, cold spaghetti, hot potato, hot potato, mash banana, mash banana.” Seems silly and ridiculous right? But if you’re a parent, I guarantee that most of you reading this blog would agree that at some point during the week you find yourself singing either silently or out loud some kids song. And guess what else I can guarantee? You like it. And I would almost bet if you are holding back, that you wish you had the cajones to sing it out loud in public.

I think acting silly in front of others can be rather sexy. The reason is simple. There is a certain confidence that comes with behaving in ways that others would be concerned with what are people thinking about them. Making a total jackass out of yourself. Now that’s hot. I don’t care if you are dressed up like the dad from the Incredibles or you are rolling around in circles at a outdoor festival (friend’s boyfriend actually started doing “teddy bear rolls” in front of a bunch of people at an outdoor event in a very well to do area), if you let you be you and the onlookings of others doesn’t phase you, that’s just flat out HOT!

This same client’s wife showed me a video of the Aquabats singing a song on Yo Gabba Gabba. I swear I’m in love with the lead singer. Ladies, check these guys out and discover a new level of hot Aquabats singing, “Cool pool party” . Those tight blue uniforms, dance moves and mask. Are you picking up what I’m putting down? Continue reading »

A Dad’s Point-of-View, by Bruce Sallan – A Story of Giving–THE Update

 Posted by Bruce on September 14, 2010  General  No Responses »
Sep 142010
 

A Dad’s Point-of-View, by Bruce Sallan

A Story of Giving — The Update

As you may know, I’ve developed a relationship with the Pastor, his kids, his community, and their school in Ghana, Africa. I’ve written about it in my “A Story of Giving” column, my “Africa Zebras” blog (with the great photos), and spoken of it on my Radio Show (August 12, 2010). They are wonderful young girls that we’ve sent books and more to. Soon, we’ll be sending some laptops (from The Wright Centre for Orthodontics). Pastor Frank Bennin is father to some (biologically), and “Father” to all, spiritually.

I wanted to share with you a chat I had with Pastor Frank, via Facebook, about what we hope to accomplish together. Please note their address if you want to send your own box of books, magazines, toys, stuffed animals, and more.

The best way to do this is via the USPO international flat rate. You can get the boxes for free at your local Post Office, but be aware that the cost to mail the box is $55. So, be sure to be selective and pack that box fully. Continue reading »

Dealing with BDD (Body Dysmorhpia Disorder) in raiising tweens and teens

 Posted by Patrick on September 13, 2010  General  1 Response »
Sep 132010
 

I remember the first day I realized it. It all came on like most epiphanies in my life; completely unexpected and hit me like a ton of bricks and left me changed forever more.

I had dropped the kids off at school and headed back to my home. Turned on the water in the shower to get ready to go to work and as I stepped into the shower I was hit with a question that seemed to SHOUT in my head;

Who put all these products in my shower?! Continue reading »

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A Parents Job Description

 Posted by Bill on September 10, 2010  General  1 Response »
Sep 102010
 

Since it is Friday and the weekend is upon us, I thought that I would share with you a job description that a friend of mine recently shared with me. I have posted this blog once before but believe that it it is worth repeating. I hope that it brings a smile to your face and starts your weekend off on the right foot. It is hilarious and something we can all relate to.

POSITION:

Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma Continue reading »

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Shopping Heathly for the Family

 Posted by Lisa on September 10, 2010  General  No Responses »
Sep 102010
 

Fall is here and that means school lunches. The week before school started I went to four grocery stores. I know, that is crazy even for me. Last year, in my quest for healthier, additive-free food for the fam, I started sampling the supermarkets in my area. Trader Joes and Whole Foods are not close so I went infrequently. At first the kids were like– “Who is this Trader Joe guy? and We don’t like his food!” but then a funny thing happened, they started to find a few favorites and now they say: Mom, you have to run to Trader Joes because we are out of ____________. This poses a problem because they also like a few things at Whole Foods and the fresh corn from Duffield’s Farm.

But it is a good problem to have. New research shows that while parents prefer nutritious foods for the entire family, their preference for healthy foods is about 50 percent weaker when they’re selecting products for the kids, rather than for themselves. I can believe this because the kids are finicky and who wants to waste money trying “healthy” foods that you wind up eating all yourself or throwing away.

The likely explanation is that parents give in at the grocery store –- or before they even get there, in the case of this study -– compromising their preferences based on what they believe their children will accept, said study author Irwin Levin, who is professor of psychology in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and of marketing in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. Continue reading »

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