Search Results for: blog tips for finding a support group

Finding Support During Pregnancy

Pregnancy has the potential to be a very emotional and stressful time. There are so many things to learn, to prepare, to accomplish and to arrange. You must deal with your changing body, your changing wardrobe, your changing job situation and your changing family. Your stomach is growing, your appetite is growing, your wash load is growing and your wallet is shrinking. There has never been a more important time to surround yourself with positive support. Where I found support when I was pregnant: My mom(s): My mom and my mother-in-law were both so supportive during my pregnancy. They took … Continue reading →

Myths About Child Support

If you are a single parent with custody of your child, you should be collecting child support. However, that isn’t always the case. Did you know that according to the National Coalition for Child Support, there is $89 Billion in past-due child support currently uncollected in the United States. That doesn’t even include the parents who haven’t even sought child support yet. With so many people collecting child support out there, it seems that several myths have cropped up and here they are: Myth: Child Support goes to the child or children. Fact: Child support is exactly that – support. … Continue reading →

Finding Time For Yourself

Sometimes as a single parent it is difficult to find or make time for yourself. There isn’t anybody else to sit with the kids during homework time, or tuck them in bed at night. Single parents often feel as if they never get any time at all. It is important to rectify that as soon as possible, to prevent resentment from building. How do single parents find time for themselves? Early Riser/Night Owl Many single parents choose to wake an hour earlier than their children, or stay up a little later after their children have gone to sleep. This doesn’t … Continue reading →

Finding Other Families

Some neighborhoods seem to be more family-friendly than others; as do streets, churches, schools, etc. Whether you have just moved into a new house or area, or are new to parenting, or you find that for some reason your family life seems to be lacking interactions with other families–what can you do to find other families with whom to interact? Some communities have built-in “systems” for connecting families. In our city, we have a “Birth to Three” program that connects many brand new parents. Of course, these are geared toward parents of biological newborns. If you become a parent through … Continue reading →

Starting a Single Parent Support Group: Who

So you read “Why go to a Single Parents Support Group” and it got you interested. You’ve gone to a couple in your area, but it just didn’t feel like they were the right fit. Maybe you’ve looked for some in your area and you just aren’t finding any. What do you do now that you want to go to one, but can’t find one? Start your own. “Oh sure, you make it sound SO simple,” you are thinking to yourself. Well then, why are you making it so difficult? Starting a single parent support group is as easy or … Continue reading →

Finding Me Time as a Single Parent

Me time is a very difficult thing to come by as a parent, and as a single parent it could be almost non-existent. It is, however, a very important thing; one that you must work at to make sure you have. I think every parent would like to have several hours all alone at least once a week, but most of the time that’s not possible. Instead, what you can do is make sure you have at least some time for yourself every day. Even if you only get 15 minutes a day to yourself, that’s nearly 2 hours a … Continue reading →

The Let’s Talk Pregnancy Blog in the New Year

In closing my very first month as a Pregnancy Blogger, I am closing out a year as well. I would like to say thank you to those of you that have read my entries so far. I’m having a wonderful time writing about a topic that is very near and dear to me. I hope you all are enjoying reading as much as I am writing. Here is a look-back on December 2006 and a look forward to the things I will touch on in the New Year: I talked about a lot of things that relate to the first … Continue reading →

What You Have to Offer a Support Group

Although you may not think you need a support group, have you considered how a support group might need you? One of the main reasons I think people don’t attend an adoption support group is they don’t feel it will be of any benefit to them. In my years of leading and co-leading support groups I’ve noticed three primary groups of attendees: those in waiting, those in crisis, and those who want to be of support. Those in waiting: These are often people who’ve attended group to learn more about the process of adoption after their home studies have been … Continue reading →

The Truth About Your Diet During Pregnancy

One of the assumptions I made about pregnancy prior to becoming pregnant is I’d have a diet-related Get out of Jail Free card.  I knew that there are certain foods it’s best to avoid, but I thought at least I’d have a free pass to eat, well, not quite as much as I wanted, but to feel a bit more guilt-free about evening ice cream binges. That turned out not to be the case at all.  First off, the whole “eating for two” thing isn’t true.  At most, you should eat for one and a quarter.  In addition to that, … Continue reading →

The Internet and Homeschooling, part 2

Homeschool parents are finding ways to use the internet to enhance the schooling aspect of homeschooling. The mystery of lesson planning is solved by a quick search. Frugal homeschoolers can save their budget with free printables and unit studies ready to download. Students who bore easily with textbooks can take a break playing online educational games. YouTube helps many frustrated students who need tutoring in just about any subject. Adventurous homeschoolers can be whisked away on virtual field trips. Many art museums, zoos, and historical locations offer an online peek children will enjoy. Consider looking up a country you are … Continue reading →