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Single Parenting Makes You Tough

Today has been one of those days. I woke up this morning and felt like I had a head full of mud, coherent thought escapes me. This is not good. When you are the only parent responsible for your children and your brain feels muddled, who picks up the slack? Sadly, no one. As they say, the show must go on and this is true for single parents everywhere. No matter how you feel, there are things that have to be done, little people are depending on you. I think that being a single mother has made me tougher, given … Continue reading →

Single Parent Escapes

Once you go through a divorce and become a single parent, you will find that you have different friends and different opportunities for escapes or adventures. At first, going out as a single parent may be a little unnerving but each time you go out, you will feel more and more comfortable with various situations. Making friends is very important as a single parent so you have someone to do things with, especially if you share the same interest. However, remember that you are literally starting life over so the building of friendships may take time. In addition, chances are … Continue reading →

The High Price of Summer Vacation

Can you really afford to take a dream vacation this summer? In some parts of the country, kids are still in school and parents are busy crunching numbers to see if a family escape to the beach, mountains or theme park is financially feasible. Unfortunately, it seems the travel industry is working against frugal families this summer. Especially the ones who enjoy the mega thrills and chills found at popular amusement parks. Look at Universal Orlando. The Florida theme park just raised its single-day, single-park ticket price to $88. The park’s attractions may be friendly, but the price of admission … Continue reading →

Save on Trips to the Sunshine State

Thanks to HGTV’s newest show “My Yard Goes Disney,” my 6-year-old has started a whining campaign to get us to visit the House of Mouse this summer. Unfortunately, unless we win a spot on HGTV’s other smash hit “House Hunters on Vacation,” I highly doubt that will be shaking our tail feathers with Donald and crew before the start of the new school year. I know this because, like many parents, I want to make all my child’s dreams come true, so I crunched the numbers to see if we could afford to roam Disney’s Animal Kingdom, stay at Disney’s … Continue reading →

Summer Travel Tidbits: Roadkill, Reckless Driving and Record High Gas Prices

ROADKILL If you are planning to drive along Illinois highways this summer don’t expect the views to be very pleasant. Unless you enjoy staring at miles and miles of roadkill, you will likely find the drive somewhat… well… gross. According to the state’s transportation department, it simply doesn’t have enough money to pick up as much roadkill as it normally does this time of year because it spent too much of its budget during the winter months. Representatives from IDOT say they spent more than twice the allotted $40 million to clear ice and snow during last winter’s severe storms … Continue reading →

“I’m Trying!” (When They Really Are)

Recently one of my kids has been going through a tough time—all of the changes and transitions that she is going through right now have really thrown her into a tailspin. As I encourage and urge her and try to let her know that she really is doing fabulously as she works through all of these changes, she often answers with the gloomy, “I’m trying.” The fact is, even if she doesn’t see the results yet, she really is trying and that is all anyone can ask of her anyway! As parents, we can support our kids when they are … Continue reading →

Exhaustion Impairs Clarity

I do not want to imply that single parents have the market cornered on exhaustion. Parenting, in general, can be incredibly taxing. Add in a full time job (or two), other relationships and responsibilities, and you’ve got a recipe for a fairly frazzled life. However, for single parents where overextension can be the rule rather than the exception, we need to keep in mind that exhaustion can impair our ability to see clearly, make good decisions, and be truly present to meet the challenges of our families. There have been those times when I’ve let myself get so far gone … Continue reading →

Child Support from the Ex-Spouse

I remember one October going with my best girlfriend to meet her ex-husband. The purpose of the meeting was to pick up the children but also for him to hand over to her a very late child support payment. After the kids transferred cars, he handed her an envelope and drove off. She was shocked that he paid but her hopes of getting some financial aid was dashed when she opened the envelope only to find half of a $20 bill. Although financial matters can be touchy, especialy among fighting couples going through a divorce, it is imperative you get … Continue reading →

Ten Ways to Help Your Child with Aspergers Syndrome Succeed in School

Children with high-functioning autism or Aspergers Syndrome have many similarities to their peers. They want to be liked, accepted, and fit in with their classmates. It was once assumed that these children preferred isolation, but this is not usually the case. Instead, many have described that it is their difficulty with social skills and pragmatic language, sensory differences, and restricted interests that make relating to others a challenge. Whenever possible, children with high-functioning autism or Aspergers Syndrome should be mainstreamed into a regular classroom with age-level peers. This is important for their social growth, intellectual stimulation, and the ability to … Continue reading →