A Parents Job Description…

 Posted by Bill on August 8, 2011  General, Raising Children as a Single Parent  1 Response »
Aug 082011
 

Since my last three days have consisted of planning my daughters birthday party, picking her up from the mall, along with four of her friends, helping my son install a stereo in his car, putting together a dinner for 8 at my home, bringing my daughter to the DMV to get her permit, taking her to an Ortho appointment, attending three soccer games, shopping with her for school supplies and trying to find a free moment for myself, I thought that I would share with you a job description that was 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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Being A Dad Was The Worst Decision Of My Life…

 Posted by Bill on July 31, 2011  Balancing Work and Children, General, Raising Children as a Single Parent, The Craziness of Single Parenting  No Responses »
Jul 312011
 

Seriously being a DAD was the worst decision of my life. How could I be so dumb? How could I have not seen it coming? How did I ever get myself into this? Being a DAD was the worst decision of my life! There were so many other paths I could have chosen. There were so many other decisions I could have made and should have made. What was I thinking? Obviously my attitude about it failed me, obviously my decision making was skewed, why was I in denial when I had always seemed to of made good decisions in the past? Being a DAD was the worst decision of my life.

Prior to being a DAD my life was great. My business was booming, my relationships were phenomenal, my attitude was authentic, my outlook was positive, my life was darn near perfect, and then it happened, I became a DAD. What made it worst is that I have become a DAD more than once in my life. You would think that after becoming a DAD once I would have learned, but no, not me, I had to become a DAD again. What was I thinking? I knew that I hated being a DAD but I did it again. As I look back on my life I wish more than anything else I had never ever become a DAD. Being a DAD was the worst thing that I ever did.

Now before you all start worrying about my children let me explain to you what being a DAD is all about. Here you go… First being a DAD has nothing to do with being a parent, a father or a hero to your kids. Being a DAD is a state of mind that each and every one of us has fallen into at one time or another in our lives. It is a state of mind that will affect you like nothing before. It is a state of mind that will cause you pain and anger. It is a state of mind that will bring you unhappiness for the rest of your life if you stay in it. Each and eveytime I have become a DAD (and yes I have done it more than once) I have suffered the consequences. The good news is I am going to let you know what it is, so that you don’t make the same mistakes, so that you can live a happy life, a life filled with enlightenment, success and hope. Are you ready for the secret? Continue reading »

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I Am So Glad Summer Is Winding Down

 Posted by Bill on July 25, 2011  Balancing Work and Children, General, Raising Children as a Single Parent, The Craziness of Single Parenting, Uncategorized  1 Response »
Jul 252011
 

It’s funny how when we are young we hope that summer never ends, but once we are parents we can’t wait until it does? Now I’m not saying that summer isn’t the greatest time of the year for all of us, but I for one am ready for it to end. As a single dad summer is that one time of the year when my kids have way to much free time on their hands, and since one of them doesn’t drive, that means I am on call throughout the day. I never have wanted my kids not to be able to get to their friends or go places that they enjoy, but my daughter needs to learn that I am in the mortgage business, not a driver for the local cab service.

Again summer is a great time of year for all of us, but I really am looking forward to getting back to some sort of structure. Granted my daughter has been on a world wide tour this summer that mirrors U-2′s, but she still is very active, which makes me very crazy. Oh how I long for the upcoming school days and some sort of structure again. My son on the other hand is easy. He sleeps in until after lunch, that is on the days he is not working, and has his own car. He is what you would call low maintenance. My daughter on the other hand is calling my by 9:00 am each morning with that same line, “I am soooo bored, there is nothing to do”. Funny how when I list the chores that need to be done she isn’t quite as bored anymore. Oh how I long for the upcoming school days and some sort of structure again.

I guess that I really shouldn’t complain though. It wasn’t that long ago that I had to constantly find things for them to do, places to drop them off at (all of which cost me money), or sitters to watch them.  I also believe that summer is a great way for the kids to create memories of a lifetime, recharge their batteries and remind me what it is like to still be young at heart. Summer is also a great time for all of us to warm ourselves with love, family and independence but again, Oh how I long for the upcoming school days and some sort of structure again. Continue reading »

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Summer Bonds With The Family

 Posted by Bill on July 19, 2011  General, Getting Your New Life In Order, Raising Children as a Single Parent, Teenagers  No Responses »
Jul 192011
 

I just got back from my annual vacation to visit my family in Montana (thus my late blog) and had an amazing time. We hung out at the lake, water skied, tubed, jet skied, swam, laughed, cooked smores and just had one of those times that I will always cherish. Whenever I go back to visit, it is always a huge event. Friends visit, family comes together and memories are crested for a lifetime. It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how long you might be away from your family, once you get together it seems like you had never left.

My family is very close, which is a good thing since it’s just my kids and I together here in Denver. There is something about the bond a family has, regardless of where you live, that sticks together like melted chocolate and marshmallows in a smore. No matter what challenges or differences of opinions each family might have, you can never separate them. There is a bond not only in your name but in your heart. Families are speciasl regardless of how big, how small, how close or how far they live from each other.

Never forget that your family is your bond and your bond is your family. Embrace it, enjoy it and cherish it because we all deserve to have a family that is special in it’s own way. Continue reading »

How Not To Lose Your Cool as a Single Parent

 Posted by Lisa on July 15, 2011  Getting Your New Life In Order, How to Communicate with Your Kids, Raising Children as a Single Parent, The Craziness of Single Parenting  No Responses »
Jul 152011
 

When you are a single parent day in and day out there is no other in the adult to run interference for you. No one to come in and save the day. You can learn to save you own day and not lose your cool. Here are some suggestions:

1. Know Your Limits and Obey Them: frequently when we lose our cool as single parents it is because we have crossed the line and pushed ourselves too far. What are your limits? Are you most stressed if you are tired? Hungry? Financially Strapped? Continue reading »

7 Summer Tips for Single Parents

 Posted by Lisa on July 8, 2011  Balancing Work and Children, General, Organizing, Raising Children as a Single Parent  1 Response »
Jul 082011
 

The best way to enjoy yourself this summer is to be unstressed. How is that possible when you are a single mom or dad and you have to work, pay bills, and manage all that messy life stuff all the while wanting the kids to have a good time? I’m just like every other single mom, I don’t have all the answers, but I have found a few things that have helped me a long the way:

Child superhero standing on a washing machine and dryer

1. Get Organized: I know this seems like a bummer in the summer, but it helps make summer (and the rest of the year) go smoothly. Have zones or areas where things go and then GET THE KIDS WITH THE PROGRAM. (This can be a difficult at first but they catch on.) For example:
• sneakers and flip-flops go in the basket by the door, towels are hung out to dry on the patio, wet swim suits go directly in the washer.
• We have a bag that goes to the beach, another that goes to the pool. We have a plastic bag/basket with handles we got at 5 Below that hold all the goggles, snorkels, sun screen etc. We keep these things packed in the trunk of the car.
•have a small basket/caddy by the shower (easily washable) filled with soaps, shampoos, and shaving cream etc. Use and put back. This makes wiping out and cleaning the shower/tub easier.
•In the laundry have multiple baskets for whites, colors, delicates etc. Place the clothes in there as they come off so there is no sorting prior to washing. I love this tip, which comes from the Flylady. See her site for more great tips. Continue reading »

Are You Looking For Your Kids?

 Posted by Bill on June 27, 2011  Balancing Work and Children, General, How to Communicate with Your Kids, Raising Children as a Single Parent  No Responses »
Jun 272011
 

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.” Continue reading »

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