Search Results for: blog money issues can be a trigger

There Can Be Risk in All Sorts of Choices

As single parents, many of us often find ourselves trying to do anything we can to minimize and reduce risk. After all, life can feel so precarious much of the time and any safety and security we can create really feels like a good thing. I do think it is important to remember, however, that we have to step outside that safety zone if we are going to stimulate growth and accept the inevitable changes. Most choices—even the best and safest ones—have an element of risk… Let us think this thing through—think of times when you have made a change … Continue reading →

Money Issues Can be a Trigger

It has been so long since I have NOT been a single parent, it is tough for me to remember whether money issues were a big deal for me or not. I think I worried less since there was more coming in, and two adults working to keep the coffers full. Many single parents that I have talked to confess that money issues are a HUGE trigger, if not the major trigger for stress and worry. While I have read many a book about “flow” and “letting go” and not clutching on to things like money, my experience as a … Continue reading →

The Fitness Blog Week in Review March 30th – April 7th

Our Fitness Blog Week in Review is back and we’re sorry for our absence. I hope you’ll join us again this Saturday as we take a look back at the previous week and catch you up on the stories and articles you may have missed. Friday March 30th What is it about Sports that Brings Out the Worst in Parents? I don’t know the answer to this, but I do address some of the issues we’re seeing constantly in the news with regard to sports and parental involvement specifically discussing the Ukrainian father who beat his daughter in front of … Continue reading →

Groupon’s New VIP Program

You know about Groupon, the daily deals site that helps you save money by offering coupons or deals on your favorite places while encouraging you to try new business with, yes, more deals. You sign up with Groupon and then check you email box for offers. You might get $40 worth of food at your favorite restaurant for only $20. Or perhaps you can get your hair cut at a new salon for 60 percent off. There are some issues with Groupon. You may miss out on a deal, especially if you aren’t checkin your email every fifteen minutes, such … Continue reading →

Should Cats Drink Milk?

The image of a cat lapping at a bowl of milk is a pretty common one… but is milk really a healthy drink for your feline friend? The Cat Fancier’s Association suggests that while many cats like the taste of milk, they typically don’t need it as part of their daily diet. A well-nourished cat shouldn’t need to drink milk, but he might like to once in a while. Too much milk too often could cause digestive issues, like diarrhea. In fact, many cats may even be lactose intolerant — this means that they can’t digest the sugars (lactose) in … Continue reading →

Tips for Dealing with Argumentative Sore Spots

Do you have an argumentative sore spot in your marriage? You might even have more than one. So often in marriage we can think of the big issues like money, change, work, or family issues, as being the things we tend to keep on top of and try not to argue about. We might be really careful to discuss these issues and then find wham! It’s the little side issues that trip us up and cause to argue. I know for example, and Mick would agree, that we’ve never had problems talking about and coming to reasonable and logical decisions … Continue reading →

Baby’s Smile Acts Like a Drug

The miracle of a baby’s smile, how it just instantly melts your heart and makes the sleep deprivation and the stress all worth while, is a powerful thing. Now, researchers have concluded, a baby’s smile not only warms the heart but it affects the brain, and it does so much the same way that a drug might. The smile of an infant sends a trigger to the mother’s brain in the reward center. This is the same area that is considered the pleasure center and responds to the high of alcohol or drugs. A baby’s smile sets off a response … Continue reading →

Other Considerations in Adopting When You Already Have Children

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My last blog talked about how your other children will handle becoming a visibly different (or even more different) family. In addition to getting used to stares, your children will be asked questions about adoption. How will you help your children to answer these? One resource can be the WISE UP Powerbook, a workbook (designed for adopted kids, but it could be adapted for use by a sibling, child with a disability, or anyone who gets asked intrusive questions. It helps kids consider whether they wish to Walk away, say “It’s private”, Share something small, or Eduate people about adoption. … Continue reading →

Sudden Power Struggles with the Ex

Things may be going along nicely in your co-parenting relationship; you may have worked out a communication style that suits the both of you, you might even get along with your ex’s new partner and everyone seems content and well-adjusted. Suddenly, without warning, tempers flare and you find yourself in and power struggle or dealing with long-buried old issues that have shown up again. What can you do to diffuse the situation? I have learned to expect “flare-ups” during times of stress or transition—when the kids entered high school, for example, or with the current graduations. Any time you are … Continue reading →

Gearing up for Financial Risk

The most financial stable single parents I know tend to be pretty frugal people. I know in my own case, my frugality and care with my finances as a single parent have kept a roof over my family’s head and food on the table during some financially precarious times. Because we get so used to keeping a tight hold on the purse strings, it can be tough to let go a little and take some financial risks–make large purchases, invest money, diversify our finances, etc. It can take some of us some time to get used to the idea and … Continue reading →