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Single Parents Town Guest Blogger

My Dear Craig

 Posted by Guest on January 22, 2012  General  No Responses »
Jan 222012
 

My Dear Craig,

It is now 2012. This year will mark the five-year anniversary of your death. Perhaps it’s time for me to write you a letter…

I wish we could meet for lunch just one more time. I would have so much to say. I would be so willing to listen. Remember those peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwiches? That’s what I would order. Surely you would recognize me by this meal because I think I’ve changed so much you might not recognize me now. I’m all grown up, and even willing to merge into fairly busy traffic! I was 19 when we met and nearly 48 when you died. You remain the greatest influence of my life, and it is good.

You didn’t just leave me in the tragic five-year departure leading to your death. You left me left me with a tiny invisible box containing all the hope you had. It took me a few years before I could untie the bow, open the lid, and release the lessons tucked inside. My fingers weren’t agile enough to accept the box. Continue reading »

Focus on Their Strengths

 Posted by Guest on January 15, 2012  General  No Responses »
Jan 152012
 

By PeggySue Wells, Single Parents Town Guest Blog.

“If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.”
- Abraham Lincoln

In the kitchen, I stirred cocoa while my second born practiced piano. “Mama,” she called from the living room. “Was Bach a nice man?” I sprinkled cinnamon. “From what I’ve read, I believe he was.” “Good,” she said. “Then he won’t mind that I’m fixing his music.”

Each of my seven children learns differently. Each has unique interests. Four so far have graduated high school, college, and gone on to careers. Our home has been more of an art studio, a safe place to discover and nurture their potential.

As their strengths became robust, their weaker areas naturally improved. The key was to focus on their abilities. Concentrating on weaknesses proved frustrating for me, and a negative experience for my children. In the middle of the three older girls, Leilani was sandwiched between two outspoken siblings. A verbal processor myself, I realized this quietly artistic child needed another way to communicate. A method that meshed with her natural strong points. I phoned the only person I knew that played piano. Continue reading »

Single Parents Handling Family Finance and Insurance

 Posted by Guest on January 8, 2012  General  2 Responses »
Jan 082012
 

By Bill McLeod

There is a rising trend for single parenthood in American society. According to statistics, women accounts for 83 percent as opposed to 17 percent of men comprising the total number of single parents. Single parents take care of all aspects of running the household specifically handling the finances. A single parent is, oftentimes, the sole breadwinner of the family. This is why they need to find the cheapest insurance quotes. Here are some ways that single parents can handle their finances:

Gifts. The coming holidays pose a special financial challenge for single parents. Children love to be showered with gifts. A parent wants to provide the best gifts to her children. She wants to ensure that Christmas will be a day to remember. Unfortunately, most single parents simply do not have the money to buy their loved ones the gifts they want. To address this dilemma, single parents use creativity. They approach charitable organizations that can give gifts to their kids. If not, the quickest solution is to provide inexpensive but memorable gifts to the child such as baking a cake, having a picnic or going to the park.

Money management tips. Managing money is a vital skill for a single parent. Limited resources require a lot of resourcefulness. Paying urgent bills, monthly credit card payments and mortgage payments are but a few of the financial responsibilities a parent shoulders. Continue reading »