Tag Archives: single parent

Exercise With Your Kids

It is important to take care of yourself, even when you are a single parent, and that includes exercise. At the end of the day there is so much that has to be done, how can we make time for the things we would like to do but are not an urgent need? First, we have to remember that exercise is important, not only for our health but for our emotional well being too. I know that when I take the time to exercise, that half an hour to an hour that I feel guilty for, I’m a much more … Continue reading →

Reading About Divorce

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We all know how important it is to read to our kids. It’s good for them as a learning tool and its good quality time. Our kids have our undivided attention for that little bit of time. Reading together is also a time for our children to learn how to handle issues that arise in their lives. There are books about getting a http://baby.families.com/blog/bonding-moment-with-a-new-baby, books for going to the doctor or dentist, even books about when Grandma is sick. Some of the most important books we can read to our children are about divorce. Most kids internalize things, because they … Continue reading →

Benefits For Children of Divorce

Everyone talks about the negative effects of divorce on children, but what about the positives? There are some, there have to be; otherwise we should all just give up right now! Let’s see, for one thing children of single parent’s learn to be self reliant at a younger age. This is usually the result of having to do for themselves, whether it is getting to school, on time and prepared, or fixing something to eat in the microwave. Our children quickly learn you can’t call Mom at work every time you can’t get the DVD player to work. Also they … Continue reading →

I’m Tired

Some days I wish there I had a few clones lying around to help share some of the load. Granted, things have gotten easier now that my daughter is a little older, but teenagers still need supervision. In some cases teenagers actually need more supervision. They need to know that someone is involved in their lives and cares about what is going on. This one thing can help prevent some of the problems parents of teenagers encounter. How can any one person do it all? I’m not Super Woman and I’ve never claimed to be, something has to give. There … Continue reading →

Visitation Is A Four Letter Word

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Why is it called visitation? Are our children really visiting their non custodial parent like they are guests in that home? I’ve always disliked that word. It brings to mind prisons and hospital. Visiting hours are from… you get the idea. In the state of Utah if the divorcing parents cannot agree on a visitation schedule the state allows the custodial parent every other weekend and Wednesday nights. There are all kinds of rules about alternating holidays and what time the child has to be returned to the custodial parent. Really? Is this what we are reduced to in our … Continue reading →

Best Friends

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As a parent, I am so grateful for Hailey’s friends. As a single parent I am doubly grateful. It’s so important to talk to your kids, but that doesn’t mean our kids always talk to us. They need friends to talk to, friends who sympathize and understand. All we can do is hope they make good choices with those friends so they are not being given hurtful advice. I have been so lucky; Hailey has had some amazing friends. Girls and boys that I love to have around. She met her best friend on the first day of kindergarten and … Continue reading →

Our Dysfunctional Family

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Today we are celebrating Hailey’s graduation and 18th birthday. At no time is it more apparent that we are not a normal family than during these celebrations. We defiantly put the fun in dysfunctional. The party will be at our house, Hailey will be surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, in addition to her core family. I will be there, of course, as will her father. Also in attendance will be her two year old sister and her mother. Hailey’s current stepmother will be there, as will one of her father’s ex girlfriends. My daughter loves these people. No … Continue reading →

No Time To Be Sick

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Sick days. Isn’t it funny that once you become a single parent that term no longer applies to you? I have always been fortunate enough to work for companies that provide a generous time off benefit, but still, I never took real vacations. I was too busy being the caretaker to vacation. As a single parent I knew that any paid time I had needed to be hoarded in case Hailey got sick. First, you can’t send them to day care when they’re sick and you don’t want to leave them at home alone when they are sick either. So … Continue reading →

Single Parent Travel: Camps Designed for Single Parents

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In a previous post, I talked about planning a vacation as a single parent. This post discusses some of the many places that offer vacations that have been designed for single parents and their children. Rocking Horse Ranch Resort Rocking Horse Ranch Resort is located in Highland, New York, about 90 minutes north of New York City. The 2010 weekend-long single parent camp takes place during mid-November, and starts at $615 (the cost of one adult and one child). The cost includes amenities and activities, including horseback riding, swimming, childcare, hayrides, talent shows, line dancing, bonfires, fitness center, and more. … Continue reading →

Lessons Learned – New Health Blogger Intro

As a new health blogger for Families.com I wanted to take some time to introduce myself. Through the years I’ve been a granddaughter, daughter, two times a wife, sister, and a mother—five times over. At this point, my family consists of only my girls and my sister. Everyone else in my family passed on at a young age, even my first husband. I feel that facing so many health-related tragedies is what spurred me on to study many health fields, as well as doing my best to take care of my own health and that of my girls. No matter … Continue reading →