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 »

 Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 »

 Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

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 »

 Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 »

 Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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. 

I Think That I Forgot Where My Kids Are!!!

 Posted by Bill on February 27, 2012  General, How to Communicate with Your Kids, Raising Children as a Single Parent  No Responses »
Feb 272012
 

Have you ever heard the story about the little boy who answered the phone call?

One day, the phone rang, and the little boy answered.
“May I speak to your parents?”
“They’re busy.”
“Oh. Is anybody else there?”
“The police.”
“Can I speak to them?”
“They’re busy.”
“Oh. Is anybody else there?”
“The firemen.”
“Can I speak to them?”
“They’re busy.”

“So let me get this straight — your parents, the police, and the firemen are there, but they’re all busy? What are they doing?” Continue reading »

 Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Victor Cruz, From Single Parent Household To NFL Star.

 Posted by Bill on February 6, 2012  Raising Children as a Single Parent  3 Responses »
Feb 062012
 

So often I hear the media, the so called experts and even the occasional parent tell me that their children are at a disadvantage because they are being raised by a single parent. Their children don’t get the attention of both parents and because of this, their children will have a tougher time finding their way, feeling loved or having the same opportunities as children in dual parent households. Every Time I hear that I get mad, because I believe that once you start to use being raised by a single parent as a crutch, you give your children, and yourself a reason to make excuses.

In my opinion children need three things in life. They need to feel safe, they need to be listened to, and they need to feel loved. If we as parents do these three things, our children will be free to find their passion, set their goals and exceed all of our expectations.

I want to share with you a story of someone who was raised by a single parent, and against all the odds, has exceeded his expectations in the NFL. Continue reading »

Page 1 of 1212345...10...Last »