Bill

For years, Bill McLeod has been inspiring parents world wide with his message of perseverance and success. He is the author of "Kickin' Butt as a Single Parent - 99 Tips That Every Single Parent Must Have". He is a frequent contributor to syndicated radio shows and magazines, and has been interviewed on radio programs around the country, as well as on CBS, ABC, NBC and WB-2 affiliates for his insight and commitment to succeeding as a single parent. For his ongoing work and dedication in these areas, Bill has won the prestigious State Farm Insurance Companies "Embrace Life Award" presented annually to only thirteen individuals in the U.S. and Canada. His story will enlighten you; inspire you and give you hope that anyone can succeed, as long as you realize that you will never change your life until you change something you do daily.

Are You A Single Parent Because Of Abuse?

 Posted by Bill on May 14, 2012  General  No Responses »
May 142012
 

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”

I was recently asked to write an article about becoming a single parent due to addiction or abuse. I guess that sometimes I forget that so many of us become single parents, not because we chose to and not because our marriage just didn’t work out, but because of addictions and abuse. Since I fall into the first category, single due to an addiction, I thought that I would try and understand what it truly means to become a single parent due to abuse.

Although I have lived this life, I still wanted to make sure that I had my basis and facts covered. The first thing that I did was go to the Internets all knowing dictionary, Wikipedia. Each time I go there I have the benefit viewing a page or two of relative information. Not much, but enough to get me up to speed on what it is I am trying to understand. This week I looked up the word “Abuse”. OMG (That’s text for those of you who don’t have teenagers which means OH MY GOD) There was page, after page, after page of definitions. Child abuse, dating abuse, addiction abuse, abuse of power and the big one domestic abuse. The definition of domestic abuse is described below: Continue reading »

The Reasons That I Love Having Teenagers…

 Posted by Bill on May 7, 2012  General, Raising Children as a Single Parent, Teenagers  No Responses »
May 072012
 

I can’t tell you the number of people, who when I tell them that I have teenagers say something like, “Wow that must be tough” or “Good luck, you will need it”. I don’t care, I love having teenagers. I really do. Granted I am decades away from my teen years, I can still remember what my life was like as a teenager for me. I can remember when I was honest with my parents and I can remember when I was not. I can remember all of the things that I put my parents through, granted some of the things I didn’t think were that big of a deal  they sure disagreed with me on . Believe me growing up in a family of five, where you came home when the street lights came on, gave us  allot of time to put our parents through hell. I know that my kids, or at least one of them, will do the same to me but… I still love having teenagers.

So why do you love having teenagers you ask? Why after all that you put your parents through, why after all of the warnings others are giving you, why knowing full well that the “Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” do you still love having teenagers? Well here is why in this weeks (drum roll please):

TOP 10 LIST WHY I LIKE HAVING TEENAGERS: Continue reading »

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Can You Hit The Nail On The Head?

 Posted by Bill on April 16, 2012  General, Raising Children as a Single Parent  No Responses »
Apr 162012
 

I am told that in order to have a successful blog, you have to either entertain, educate, pose a question or share a story. I have tried too at one time or another do all of the above here on my blog. Sometimes I believe that I am successful, and at other times I am not sure. It’s kind of like raising children, sometimes your the hammer and then at other times you are the nail. Either way I thought that today I would try to educate you with a few tips from Chapter One of my book “Kickin’ Butt as a Single Parent – 99 Tips that Every Single Parent Must Have”. I hope that these tips help you to hit the nail on the head for you today.

Getting Your New Life in Order

When I first became a single dad, I had to learn very quickly how important it was for my children, and my sanity, to organize my life in a way that caused the least amount of disruption to all of us. Although at times I felt like I was herding cats, I made it work, and so can you. Your world will change whether or not you choose to change it, but you have the power to choose its direction. Let me say that again, “Your world will change whether or not you choose to change it, but you have the power to choose its direction.” Never forget that you, and only you, can make your life what you want it to be. Have you felt in the past as if others have controlled you? Affected you negatively or dictated the path that you were supposed to follow? Well those days are over. You are the captain of the ship as you set sail upon your new journey. A journey that I promise will be filled with so many positive experiences, lessons and joys that you can not even yet imagine. Like Christopher Columbus setting out on his journey to the unknown, you, too are setting out on a journey of not just discovery, but self-discovery. One of the first things that you must do if you are going to be successful on this wonderful journey is to get organized, get established and get ready. Below you will find tips that are proven to help you put your puzzle back together. Even if you have never been very good at organization, these tips, if completed honestly and completely, will help you not only get your new life in order, but establish the foundation of a bright and organized future. You are the only one that has the ability, the willingness and the responsibility to be on top of your new life, not under it. Rise to the top by using the following tips to your advantage, and you will reap the rewards of your success. Continue reading »

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A Parents Job Description…

 Posted by Bill on April 9, 2012  Balancing Work and Children, Raising Children as a Single Parent, The Craziness of Single Parenting  No Responses »
Apr 092012
 

Since it is Monday and the new week 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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Why Couldn’t I Have Had Twins?

 Posted by Bill on March 26, 2012  General, How to Communicate with Your Kids, Raising Children as a Single Parent, Teenagers  No Responses »
Mar 262012
 

I recently was speaking with a friend of mine about issues that he is having with his two kids. He was frustrated with no matter what he says to his kids, they would both interpret his words differently, and act differently. We laughed at how two children from the same gene pool could turn out so different. In honor of his frustration, I decided to re-post a blog I did a few years ago about how different my kids are. I hope that it provides some insight, humor and peace in your life today.

I have always said that I am blessed to have my children. Raising them on my own is definitely tough, but with challenges come great rewards. I hope that I can  keep the two of them around long enough to realize this. My son is now 15 and I am so proud of him. He and I have a bond, that although not expressed daily, is there in our hearts. I have watched him mature more and more each day. His sense of humor is second to none.  The other night I told him that “Yes Jack we are going to eat together as a family” to which he replied “Dad I promise that if you let me eat downstairs in front of the TV I won’t do drugs, get  anyone pregnant or go to jail” I think that he must be listening to my radio show archives at www.singleparentstown.com again.

My daughter who has been the apple of my eye since the day she was born has always been a joy. She has a heart of gold and a smile that stretches from here to eternity. Never really a problem, just a good kid. That was until she turned 13 last August. I have heard stories of how girls transform at this age but hearing stories and experiencing it are two separate things. The other night Jack asked if we could just “put her down” There is that quick wit and humor again. What is it that turns little angels into devils at 13? If I have learned one thing as a single parent it is that patience is a virtue. I have become so patient with these kids but  my patience is beginning to wain with my daughter. If I tell her that her hair looks great she asks why I didn’t like it before? If I tell her that I love her new outfit she gives me three reasons why it could be better. I bite my tongue and Jack just laughs. His day will come when he has a family, but right now he is finding joy in watching me deal with this. Continue reading »

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When It Comes To Parenting Does Practice Make Perfect?

 Posted by Bill on March 19, 2012  Balancing Work and Children, How to Communicate with Your Kids, Raising Children as a Single Parent, The Craziness of Single Parenting  No Responses »
Mar 192012
 

They say that practice makes perfect. I have decided that whoever said that was obviously not a parent. I have practiced at being a good parent ever since day one, and I continue to practice at it each and every day. Last week I thought that I had finally figured it out, and then my 15 year old teenage daughter reminded me that I have a long way to go. Funny how teenagers seem to think that they know everything. I am starting to think that parenting is allot like the game of golf. No matter how much you practice, you will never get it totally right. Oh you may score well every once in awhile, but just when you start to think that  you’ve got  it figured out, you slice one it into the woods and end up taking a penalty stroke. Over the years I have had my share of penalty strokes with my kids.

The problem with being a good parent, is that your kids are constantly changing on you. Once you get to the toddler stage figured out here comes the young child stage, then the pre-teen stage and finally the dreaded teenager stage. Looking back on the early stages, I now realize that the degree of difficulty changes with each and every  stage my kids go through. It must be Gods way of reminding you that practice doesn’t always make you perfect, but it will make you better. 

“Never allow someone to be your priority, while you’re just their option”.

 Posted by Bill on March 5, 2012  General, The Craziness of Single Parenting  3 Responses »
Mar 052012
 

I recently posted this saying on my Facebook page and to my surprise got quite the response from people.  It seems that at one time or another we have all been guilty of making someone our priority, when we were just their option.

I am sure that so many of you who are divorced feel this way, after all it is usually the one who has had enough of making everyone else their priority, without feeling appreciated themselves, that finally says enough and files for divorce. There are also those out there who are such constant caregivers that they always seem to find themselves making everyone else their priority, while they are just someone else’s option. Sound familiar to any of you? How about the person who divorces, and after the proper amount of time decides to date again, only to find themselves in need of attention and comfort so bad, that they once again “make someone their priority, while they only make them their option”.

What is it that drives so many people to this unhealthy and never ending cycle of frustration and pain? What is that blinds people to the obvious? Why can’t they see the forest through the trees or their nose in spite of their face? Why would you want to ever make someone else your priority when they only make you their option? Continue reading »

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