Search Results for: blog is it better to say nothing at all about the other parent

Seasonal Sleep Solutions

While I love the warmer temperatures spring brings, I am no fan of what the added daylight does to my child’s sleep habits. As an active member of PADS, I cringe when bedtime rolls around.  There’s nothing I dread more than having to fight with a third grader about how “unfair” it is that she is forced to hit the hay before it is pitch-black outside.  Then there’s the drama surrounding my rule that she remain asleep until at least an hour after the sun rises. She can’t stand me for that one. But, when you are dealing with a … Continue reading →

Kids Have Love Languages Too

I was lucky enough to be blessed with a child who has the same love language I do. We both value quality time above all else. While we both show each other love in multiple ways, nothing says, “I love you” more than spending time together. As a busy single parent there isn’t always a lot of time to sit down just the two of us and play, but I have found that when I make time for the little things, not only does our relationship grow stronger, but he also behaves better as well. When my son feels important … Continue reading →

Blowing Off Steam

Having an ex adds a lot of undue stress in your life; have children with that ex and the stress multiplies by about a hundred…thousand…ok, it’s more like an infinite amount of stress that never ends with the signing of the decree. You’d think it get easier now that you’re not together, but it’s actually a lot harder when neither one of you is trying to make things work anymore. My ex and I try to keep things as civil as possible when it comes to Logan. I don’t want him to ever feel caught in the middle of his … Continue reading →

Happy Kids: Mission Impossible?

You’re familiar with the saying, “Happy wife, happy life,” but have you found the key to fostering that happiness? According to a new survey, happy kids beget happy moms/wives which beget happy husbands/dads. The equation seems simple enough until you factor in life’s discomforts, hardships and disappointments. I’d love for my child to be happy 24/7.  What parent wouldn’t?  After all, nothing makes most moms and dads happier than to see their children in high spirits. My own 8-year-old would love for her entire family to be happy every minute of every day and is visibly uncomfortable when that idealistic … Continue reading →

Does Happiness Lead to More Money?

They say money can’t buy happiness.  But could it be that happiness leads to more money? Apparently new research shows that the happier a teenager is, the more money earned in adult years.  These were the findings after following more than 10,000 teens in the U.S.for 10 years. Happier teens earned 10 percent more than the average person’s salary at 29 years of age. But the less happy teens earned 30 percent less. What made this study even more interesting is that the results were the same, even after taking into account other factors such as the teen’s gender, physical … Continue reading →

The Lord is In the Details of our Lives

This past weekend, I had an experience that may seem small and insignificant to some, but it meant a lot to me. One of my children had the stomach flu. It is my least favorite thing as a parent. And, to put it simply, I have quite a bit of anxiety over it. I do not handle that type of sickness well at all, and it is very difficult for me every single time. Well, my child seemed to be getting better, and as usual, I felt myself relax and realize that all would be OK. A few days later, … Continue reading →

Are Your Trust Issues Holding You Back?

After a divorce it is natural to have a few trust issues. The person you put all of your trust in betrayed you and hurt you deeply. It is difficult to open yourself up to the possibility of that kind of pain again. You don’t want to feel vulnerable, and understandably so. Nobody expects you to rush into anything, so give yourself some time to deal with these trust issues now, so that they don’t continue to hold you back in the future. I’ve had a fair number of bad men in my life, as a result it has been … Continue reading →

What You Don’t Say

Sometimes it’s not what you say to your teen that speaks to them the most…it is what you don’t say. Your nonverbal communication could be saying something you don’t realize. Maybe you hear your teen say that you never listen. I know it’s been said in my home. But it can look like we aren’t listening if we aren’t looking at our teen when he or she is talking. If you continue to type away, wipe away, put away or whatever it is that you are doing…your nonverbal communication is really saying, “I’m not listening.” Or maybe your teen has … Continue reading →

Learning to be Unselfish

A few weeks ago my ex-husband asked me if he could take Logan to a trunk-or-treat with his girlfriend’s daughter. It happened to fall on my weekend, but I told him that he could take him anyway. Weeks went by without another word about it and the night before I was debating about whether or not to say anything. Perhaps he had forgotten and wasn’t going to take him after all. I went back and forth for quite some time as I tried to decide what to do. I selfishly wanted to say nothing and hope that he didn’t show … Continue reading →

Halloween Books = Amazing Alternative to Candy

Believe it or not, 100 Grand Bars, Laffy Taffy and candy corn are not the only treats that scream, “Halloween!” If you are looking for a sugar-free/fat-free/calorie-free/peanut-free/gluten-free goodie to give kids on All Hallows’ Eve, consider Mia: Time to Trick or Treat! The adorable and affordable children’s book (it retails for less than $5) is an amazing alternative to candy and can be passed out as a Halloween party favor, a prize for a costume contest, or used to spice up your kid’s bedtime story collection. There’s nothing like a little seasonal spice to get youngsters excited about reading, and … Continue reading →