Negatively Impacting Your Children by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on September 14, 2011  General  1 Response »
Sep 142011
 

Oh, the sweet innocence of a newborn!  There is nothing quite so special as holding a cuddly, soft newborn as they gaze up at you with wonder and amazement - their eyes so wide, their futures so bright.  When is it, along the way, that we forget that innocence of the children that God has entrusted us with? 

 ”Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6

I have clung to that Scripture many, many times when I was certain that I was a total failure as a mother.  I have prayed that very verse repeatedly when my teenagers were furious with my parenting decisions.  And in my years of parenting and counseling those who are also on the journey, there are many things I have learned through trial and error (and am still learning).  But this simple fact I know is true.  Continue reading »

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The Church and the Single Mom by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on May 4, 2011  General  No Responses »
May 042011
 

It is with great excitement that I announce my upcoming book, The Church and the Single Mom, will be available in just a few weeks.  It truly has been an exciting journey to see this project take shape.

Years ago, I took my very first job at a pizza place. As a young single mom, I really needed that job. I even showed up in a business suit for the interview!  Some time later, I took a job in office management and would often bring paperwork home, because I wanted my office to run efficiently.  The same has been true for this new book.  It truly has been a labor of love. I have labored over exactly what to say, how to say it, and how to make the most impact on a much-needed, yet rarely-addressed topic.  The Church and the Single Mom broaches a subject that many would want to avoid.  It clearly defines exactly what is going on in the country in reference to single parenting, why we should care, and exactly what we can do about it.  It is a challenging book that was written from a deep place within me that longs for others to open their eyes and see. 

I have been honored to have some of the most prestigous single parent experts to endorse the book, including Bill McLeod, founder of Single Parents Town Continue reading »

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Happy Easter Single Moms! by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on April 20, 2011  General  1 Response »
Apr 202011
 

Enjoy this beautiful, wonderful Easter season.  I absolutely do not think there is a better time of year, especially in the South.  The weather is a breezy 75 degrees, wind blowing, birds chirping, roses blooming, and children playing outside.  Awwwww, after a long winter, it is such a welcomed break.  Enjoy your family, your children, and your friends this Sunday.  And most importantly……

Continue reading »

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Effective Single Parenting by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on March 30, 2011  General  No Responses »
Mar 302011
 

     Proverbs 31:27-28 “She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing to laziness.  Her children stand and bless her.”  As parents, I think we all have that deep desire that as our children become adults, they will stand and recognize all the sacrifices we made, the rules we implemented, and bless us for it.  They will be proud of how we raised them.  We hope to see the fruits of our labor.

     I read the above passage recently for probably the 100th time and something stood out to me that had never stood out before.  We tend to cling to “her children stand and bless her” because that is the result.  But………….what are the four words prior to it?   ”…SUFFERS NOTHING TO LAZINESS.”

     It is not by accident that the words are placed strategically there.  Parenting is work — simple as that, even if you have a two-parent home, but certainly when you are a single parent.  It requires intention and planning.   This is when children feel secure — no matter their age.  Too often, with the weight of financial planning, emotional stresses, and exhaustion, we simply “give in” and do not effectively parent.  We lose structure, because we are too tired to implement it.   I know I have been guilty. Continue reading »

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Progress is Being Made by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on March 23, 2011  General  2 Responses »
Mar 232011
 

Simple thought for today:  Although there are times when parenting is overwhelmingly difficult, rest in knowing that progress is being made.  Through the years, I have felt like screaming and running my fist in the wall due to frustration in parenting.  I was certain that nothing I said was getting through to my pre-teens and teens. 

I was wrought with fear that my children would make the same mistakes that I had or choose the wrong path.  I sit with many parents throughout the week and hear this same fear from them. 

A few weeks ago, something strange, but wonderful happened.  My teens were part of a weekend teen conference at my local church.  There were more than a thousand teens there from all over the country and it was a phenomenal experience.  Parents were able to watch online and we caught bits and pieces of it.  Both my teens asked to have friends spend the night.  We had a total of 8 teens that were here.  It was 12:30am.  I was tired, and the kids were being way too loud for that hour.  But….on my way back to correct them, I stopped.  I stood outside each of their doors and heard the innocent giggles.  I stopped and smiled.  I didn’t say a word.  Continue reading »

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Beauty: From The Inside Out by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on March 16, 2011  General  1 Response »
Mar 162011
 

We are told from the time we are born that what is most important is on the inside.  “Pretty is as pretty does.”  I can remember an older relative saying to me.  But, if that is true, why is it also that we hear from such a young age, “Isn’t she beautiful?  Look at those gorgeous brown eyes!” 

We recently held a Night of Beauty at our local church for single moms.  We had hundreds to show up and receive free hand treatments, makeovers, spa gift certificates, and free high-end perfume.  We also prepared a free meal and childcare for the event.  It was truly a blessing for many of the women.  And although we were pampering their outside appearances, we were able to tie in an important message about true beauty.

I”ll share just a few simple thoughts here.  Continue reading »

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The Victim Mentality by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on March 2, 2011  General  No Responses »
Mar 022011
 

In my years of working with women, I have heard almost every story imaginable.  I think back to the woman who watched her husband burn to death in a fire.  I think of the seventy-year-old widow who endured thirty-seven years of physical beatings before her husband died.  I think of the young girl who was raped and the rapist later approached her to return her undergarments.  I think of the breast cancer survivor who lost both breasts.  These are all women that I know personally.  I know their stories.  Do you know what is amazing about each one of them?  They have claimed victory and the chains of the event hold them no more.

Let’s get down to it.  Don’t we all know people who simply want to complain?  Negative Nellies.  Sad Susies.  Grumpy Guses.  No matter how bad someone else has had it…..these people seem to have always had it worse. 

This is not to say I am discounting any tragedy suffered by those reading this article.  I know that we are surrounded by abuse victims, those who have suffered tragedies of all kinds, the impoverished, the parent who buried a child, the devastation of divorce — all heart-breaking.  Continue reading »

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