Tag Archives: parenthood

Just Because I’m a Mother, Doesn’t Mean I Want to Parent Adults Too

Recently, I was talking with another forty-plus single parent and we were talking about dating (of course)–we started commiserating about the fact that we would like to meet and date other “grown-ups”–for some reason, we had both drawn people into our lives that assumed that since we were mothers/parents, we would be willing to take care of everything and everyone in addition to our own children and families. The fact is, at least for me, it was just the opposite. Since I already am a parent, I have pretty high expectations of the other adults I allow into my life; … Continue reading →

There are So Many Things I Can’t Relate to Anymore!

Life changes us, I don’t care what some people say. I have a friend who maintains that people do not really change and that we just keep working on the same issues over and over again. That might be true for some people, but I think that parenthood, and especially single parenthood has changed me in all sorts of ways. There are some people, ideas, and “things” that I just cannot relate to anymore… Of course, there are plenty of people in my life who either knew me as a young pre-parent adult, or have only known me as a … Continue reading →

There is Nothing on Earth like Being a Parent

I have a fair amount of child-free friends, and I have also heard people at various times compare this or that to being a parent. I’ve heard the writing of a book, or seeing a house built compared with giving birth, and heard people of various professions compare what they do to being a parent. It has become a bit of an annoyance and a pet peeve of mine because as far as I’m concerned—there is nothing out there, on earth that compares to being a parent. I understand that there might be little snippets and pieces of things that … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: A Just Man

When we studied Luke as we prepared for this Sunday’s lesson, we considered the character of Mary, the mother of Christ. The first chapter of Matthew centers more clearly around the earthly father of Jesus, a man named Joseph. Over half of Matthew 1 relates the genealogy of Joseph. Elder James E. Talmage taught that, “Had Judah been a free and independent nation, ruled by her rightful sovereign, Joseph the carpenter would have been her crowned king; and his lawful successor to the throne would have been Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 87) This … Continue reading →

Celebrities Reflect On Parenthood

Now that I’ve gotten over the fact that Ben Affleck will not be changing our child’s diapers I can at least (gasp, choke) be (sniff, sniff) happy that he is changing his own daughter’s (with actress Jennifer Garner) pants. Affleck, who made headlines two years ago when he split from Jennifer Lopez, is now making news for his transformation from party boy to hands-on dad to 1-year-old Violet. “I’ve never been very judicious about my own behavior or choices until they had an impact on people other than me,” Affleck, recently told USA Today. Affleck goes on to say that … Continue reading →

When You Don’t Lose the Baby Weight–Ever

So pregnancy is finally over. Your baby has been born, and now your body will be back to “normal,” right? I wish. Contrary to popular belief, not all moms lose the weight they gained during pregnancy, during the first six weeks, or six months even. Some, like me, still carry it around nearly six YEARS later. So what do you do? Beat yourself up emotionally? Let me tell you, from one overweight mom to another, that doesn’t do a doggone bit of good. It’s counterproductive. Not to mention the fact that feeling badly about yourself affects not only your own … Continue reading →

New Parenthood

My brother and his girlfriend are being induced tonight. They will soon be the proud parents to my niece, Abigayle Marie. I spoke to them tonight on the telephone and wanted to tell them so much. It was hard to hold back. I wanted to tell them what it’s like to hold your baby in your arms for the first time. To hear her first cry, to feel her fingers and her toes in your hands, to rest her head upon your chest. I wanted to tell them that the first few days of parenthood can be exhilarating, exhausting, and … Continue reading →

Dad Can Do It!

When my friends and I were all starting our families and experiencing motherhood for the first time, we noticed that it seemed like we Moms were doing a lot of the work. More so than our young husbands. And it didn’t seem fair at all. We were pretty cranky about it, in fact. Long gone are the days when Dads can opt out of childcare responsibilities. This is the new millennium, we expect to share all parenting responsibilities equally darn it! Well, there was a small problem. Even when these new daddies were taking the initiative and asking (ok, I … Continue reading →