Search Results for: blog dealing with comments to the widowed

Dealing with Comments to the Widowed

Losing a wife or husband is difficult no matter the age or cause. While most people are sensitive to this difficult time in life, you need to know that you will be confronted by people who seem less than compassionate. Even if these people mean well, sometimes the words spoken to the widowed individual come across as harsh and uncaring. I know when I lost my only sister two years ago her husband was faced with this very challenge. For instance, he actually had someone from work ask him how much money he would get from her life insurance policy. … Continue reading →

Single Parenting: How to Feel Good Again (Or At Least Semi-Human)

Divorced or Widowed? There is no doubt that you are not feeling yourself these days. On some days it may even be hard to get out of bed. So why bother? I will tell you why. Walk through your house. There are signs of life everywhere…scattered toys, little cups, action figures, Barbie dolls. Go into the bedrooms and see your sleeping children. That is why you must do it. Feeling good again after a divorce or the death of a spouse is like trying to put on a pair of size 6 pants when you are a size 8. It … Continue reading →

Single Parenting: Who They Are

Who Are They? According to the U.S. Census Bureau in the summer of 2007, there were approximately 13.6 million single parents in the United States alone. The children that they are raising total 21.2 million. This relates to 26% of children under the age of 21. Most custodial parents are, not surprisingly, mothers. Mothers total approximately 84% with the remaining 16% being custodial dads. Thirty-three per cent of these single moms have never been married and the majority of the moms being either divorced or separated. Only 1% of these moms are widowed. Of the fathers, totaling 16%, 57% were … Continue reading →

The Other Parent in Your Child’s Life

Your Feelings Talking about the other parent in your child’s life probably causes you some type of stress. Depending on the circumstances, these feelings toward the other parent may be good feelings or bad feelings. Either way stress is most likely involved. You had a history with the other parent and there are feelings there. Whether you are divorced or widowed there is a past. Some feelings involved with this situation may be bitterness, betrayal, mistrust, sadness, regret. Do not forget there were also the happy times. Your Child’s Feelings No matter how you feel toward the opposite parent, your … Continue reading →

The Widow’s Email

The other day I received an email from a very displeased reader in regards to an article I wrote last September called The Widows of 9/11: Already Remarrying? Her name was Ms. Fisher and her subject line immediately caught my attention. It read “Who do you think you are?” Here’s what Ms. Fisher had to say: I am furious after reading your post about a 9/11 widow remarrying. First of all, since you aren’t a widow you have NO BUSINESS even writing on this subject. Second, you should do a tiny bit of research before you write my dear. Remember: … Continue reading →

It’s Never Enough: Cherishing Each Married Moment

What a week. My husband called his grandmother this past Sunday night to say hello. She informed him Helen’s husband, Vernon, had passed away and the funeral would be Tuesday. Helen is a very dear woman who’s one of Grandma’s cousins. She’s one of those always smiling, upbeat sorts who showers warmth and kindness on everyone she comes into contact with. Since she’s also older, closer to Wayne’s grandma’s age (mid-80s), I was under the impression she and Vernon had been married decades. Well, technically they had, 20 years, but I thought it was closer to 60+ like Grandma and … Continue reading →

Room for Two – Abel Keogh

Abel’s wife Krista was seven months pregnant and the couple had just moved into a new apartment. For some reason, she was reluctant to stay in the apartment by herself and spent a lot of time at her grandmother’s house, insisting that Abel stay there as well. Abel sensed that something was wrong, but chalked it up to the fact that his wife was pregnant, and weren’t all women a little bit different when expecting? One day, however, changed everything. Krista had gone to the apartment to unpack and didn’t return when she said she would. Abel went to the … Continue reading →

What NOT to Say to a Single Parent on a Date

We sometimes chat here about the realities and challenges of dating as a single parent. As I sat down to write this blog, I started thinking over all the things that have been said to me by people on dates–and I’m not just talking first dates here. I think it could also be expanded to include things that friends and coworkers say (and shouldn’t ) to single parents. Here are some of the things that I have heard and don’t think anyone should ever say to a single parent: “So, are your kids good?” The implication, of course, is that … Continue reading →