Tag Archives: self esteem

Don’t be a Doormat

Let’s face it, we single parents get tired; we get run down and overwhelmed once in a while and there are days when we just get tired of putting up a constant fight. Whether it is coming from our kids who are pushing us to get their own way, and Ex who is pushing or harassing us to give in to his or her demands, or things going on at work or in other areas of our lives, I do think it is important to stand our ground. While you may not want to fight, it is important not to … Continue reading →

And Here’s to You! – David Elliott

This fun children’s picture book is a celebration of life. Each page is illustrated with rich, saturated color, a treat for the eyes. Words of gratitude are frequent, and the reader can feel the joy that comes from going outside on a brilliant spring day and just enjoying nature. The author raises a salute to birds, using his young female narrator to say, “Here’s to you!” She calls them “feather people,” and gives special mention to the birds who whooo, cockadoodledoo, the ones who have red breasts and the ones who sit on telephone wires. She appreciates all of them … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Richard M. Dudum

Yesterday I reviewed a book entitled “What Your Mother Never Told You.” Today I am joined by Richard Dudum, author of that book. Richard, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to be here. Your book is specifically geared toward teenage girls. Have you written or do you plan to write a book for teenage boys? Many of the issues covered in “What Your Mother Never Told You – A Survival Guide For Teenage Girls” are not gender specific. Both boys and girls can benefit from the book’s contents. At the same time, boys may feel a bit … Continue reading →

Feelings of Inadequacy

I imagine that all of us wrestle with feelings of inadequacy at one time or another and it is not just us single parents who fight the battle. Still, as single parents, it can often feel like we are climbing up that steep hill with a big rock on our backs and not doing a very good job of it to boot. Where can we go with feelings inadequacy and what can be done to stop them? Personally, I have found that when I succumb to those feelings of inadequacy, I tend to be focusing on external things to define … Continue reading →

We Can’t Be Good at Everything

You might think from some of the articles I have written that I think the average single parent has to be a super-star—super good at everything and on top of all the chaos that comes with family life. Not so. In fact, I think we can get into trouble trying to be everything to everyone and expecting ourselves to be fabulously amazing at everything. PLUS, I think it can send the wrong message to our children. I know that single parenthood seems to call upon us to be better at more things than we ever had to before. We might … Continue reading →

Dylan the Eagle-Hearted Chicken – David L. Harrison

With a title like that, how could I resist? Ethel the chicken is a proud mama. There’s something special about this one particular egg—she’s already named the chick Dylan, even though he’s not hatched yet. She hides the egg in a safe place so nothing will happen to him. Already she’s dreaming of who he’ll be. But he’s taking forever to hatch. Stiff and sore, Ethel gets up to stretch, and Cawly the crow swoops down and swipes the egg, right off the nest. Ethel tries to fly after him, but only manages to get ten feet off the ground. … Continue reading →

Does Your Business Self-Esteem Need a Boost?

Have you been in a lull lately? Have you been dealing with more than your share of set-backs, challenges and bloopers? There are those times when working at a home business can be so challenging and we struggle at things so much that our self-esteem takes a bit of a blow. Without a few successes or “great days” it can be hard to hold out hope. But, what can we do when our business person self-esteem needs a bit of a boost? It can be incredibly hard to keep one’s chin up through an extended rough patch. Not to mention, … Continue reading →

What to do When They Put Themselves Down

We try to talk positively to our kids, or at least many of us parents know that we should be using kind and caring words and positive encouragement. It can be incredibly painful and disheartening then, when we hear them putting themselves down. Hearing a child refer to herself as “stupid” or “ugly” or talk about what a “loser” he is certainly can be upsetting. But, what can we parents do to nip the negativity in the bud and address the possible self-esteem issues? You might need to start by taking a good hard look at your own habits to … Continue reading →

Self-Care Can be in the Details

I would love a long, pampering, luxurious vacation as much as the next guy or gal, but on for this frugal, single parent it is not really in my future as far as I can see. What I have learned over the years (although I often forget and have to remind myself) is that self-care and personal health can really be in the most ordinary daily details. A little bit of looking after oneself can go a long way. I am not just talking about hot baths and nice lotions here, but also learning how to say “no” and protect … Continue reading →

Getting Comfortable Doing Things on Your Own

One of the adjustments that single parents have to make if they have been part of a partnership or marriage prior to becoming single parents is how to go from being a twosome, to doing things on your own. If you are used to having another parent to go to school concerts and conferences with, or stand on the sidelines together cheering at a soccer game, it can take some time to learn how to feel comfortable doing things as a solo parent. In my situation, I was quite used to doing things on my own even when I was … Continue reading →