Search Results for: blog make sure they know who is the boss

Who’s The Boss?

One of the things that many people find appealing about owning and operating a home – based business of their own is the notion of being your own boss. While it is true that the home – based professionals who own and operate their own businesses are in charge of and responsible for many things, they do have to answer to people other than themselves. In other words, the notion that you are your own boss is only partially true. The exact number and type of other people that you must answer to depends upon your business. Here are a … Continue reading →

Knowing What’s Needed

No matter what the situation is whether it’s work, sport or marriage you need to know what’s needed. For example at work you need to know what you have to do and what the boss expects of you before you can do it. On the tennis court you need to know what your partner expects, which balls you will go for if they come down the middle of the court and which they will take and you know you’re expected to play to the best of your ability. Why then do we think it should be any different when we … Continue reading →

Are They Bossing, Butting In, or Helping?

It is often common for single parents to talk about their “support system”–we know how important it is to have people around us who can help out and be supportive of our situation and circumstance. Not everyone is really helpful, however, and it can sometimes be a good idea to evaluate those people who are closest to us and in our “support system” to see if they are really being helpful, or if they are adding stress to our already stressful lives. I am not suggesting that you dump people from your inner circle, but it can’t hurt to figure … Continue reading →

Do You Love Your Spouse More Than They Love You?

Do you love your spouse more than they love you? I’ve long suspected I love Wayne more than he loves me, but I’d never quite realized that could truly be a possibility until I watched an episode of Malcolm in the Middle. “Say what? Malcolm in the Middle? What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?” you may be asking. I’m not sure which episode it was. It might have been the one where Hal had a female boss who was coming on to him. Devoted to his wife Lois, he confided to her what … Continue reading →

Meeting Them Where They Are

In my role as a single parent, I have had a tendency to treat my kids the way I WISH they would be, or expect them to be further along in terms of development than they are. I also have a tendency to panic and assume that if they haven’t reached a certain developmental stage “by now” they might not EVER get there. I imagine that I might be this way if I wasn’t a single parent, but I do think that the fact that I feel like I must expect more from my kids probably exacerbates the situation. Over … Continue reading →

They Need to Believe You Know What You’re Doing

In times of transition, insecurity, or even chaos, our children need more than anything to be able to trust in us. They need to believe that we know what we’re doing and that we are capable of looking out for them and “holding down the fort.” As single parents, it is especially important that we send our kids a clear message (and remind and reiterate) that we know what we’re doing (even if we’re not entirely sure of that ourselves!) We absolutely all make mistakes and there are plenty of days when I am really just holding on and hoping … Continue reading →

Let Customers Know You Are Working FOR Them

Sure, as home business owners, we are working for ourselves. We are also working to support our families and build a solid future. But, if we let too much of that reality and not enough of the working-for-the-customer come through in our dealings with clients and customers, we won’t have those clients and customers for very long… If you really think about it, there is a good chance that you are working for your customers and you are keeping their welfare and best interest in mind as you go about building your business. This should not be a bit secret! … Continue reading →

Suspend Judgment of the Other Parent Until You Know the Facts

As you might imagine, I hear all sorts of stories and “versions” of what is going on when my kids return from a trip/visit to their dad’s house. In the early months after the final separation (there were a few before the final one) and the divorce, I used to get very hot and bothered by the things they told me. I was quick to get on the phone or on e-mail to find out just exactly what was going “wrong” over there. Eventually, I learned that I needed to give my children’s father the benefit of the doubt and … Continue reading →

Make Sure They Know Who Is the Boss

One of the big myths of single parent homes is that the chicks rule the roost. People assume that with only one parent in the house—especially in families where the children outnumber the parent, the kids run wild and the parent is not actually in charge. This does not have to be the case. Just because you are the only parent, does not mean you can’t be the boss. I have written before about how my kids probably have more of a say in things like the grocery list, what we have for dinner, etc. than they would if our … Continue reading →

Concept Cars—Are They Too Cool For You?

I’ll never forget the day I caught a ride with my boss to a public appearance. (It happened years ago—prior to getting married and having a family.) He was married, the father of two young children, and had just bought a shiny new black VW Beetle. (You know, the one that barely fits two people, let alone a family of four.) As I squeezed into his new vehicle I was overwhelmed by that new car smell, perhaps, it was the fumes that made me blurt out: “Nice car. But, why would a father of two buy such a small vehicle?” … Continue reading →