The Bath Time Circus

Giving my kids baths has always been a fun experience when they are babies. They love to splash and kick, the warm water soothes them, and my babies have all loved bath time. But, recently my little guy has become Trouble with a capital “T” at bath time. It is driving me a little crazy. Gone are the days when he would just lay in the water, kick his legs and smile up at me happily. Now, he is a crazy man all over the place. He wants toys to entertain him (understandable since he sees his older siblings with them) … Continue reading

Becoming A Big Brother Takes Time

If you had asked me four months ago how Dylan was feeling about being a big brother, I would have told you that he was not at all happy about it. While he never went so far as to ask me to return Blake to the hospital from whence he came, he was not exactly excited about sharing me with another little person. In the beginning, it seemed like no matter how hard I tried to make sure that Dylan’s needs were taken care of, I still felt as if I were falling short of meeting them. At first, it … Continue reading

Take Time To Be A Better Mom

Since Mother’s Day is tomorrow it seems like the perfect time to talk about time for yourself. The hardest thing as a single mother is to find time for yourself but it’s also one of the most important things you can do for you and your children. Life can be overwhelming as a single mother and taking time for yourself can help to ground you and calm you down from the stress of life. Taking time for yourself will allow you to be a better parent in the long run. Stepping back and taking a break can help put things … Continue reading

Things You Just Get Over With Another Baby

I just added baby number 3 to my bunch. It’s been a whirlwind the past 3 1/2 months as we all get used to this new bundle, and as I, the mama, get used to having three kids!! It seems like so many people to raise. And, to some it is, but to other Moms, my little trio of children probably doesn’t seem like any trouble at all. I love this picture of my three little ones. It’s perfection in my mind. It’s real motherhood. It was 10 am and we were all still in PJs and baby brother was … Continue reading

Being Stretched as a Parent in Letting Go

This must be my week of being stretched as a parent. We are already in the midst of working with a recruiter for my 17-year-old son who wants to join the Air Force after he graduates in June. Now my daughter has come to me with an opportunity to go to Germany next spring. I am still trying to deal with the prospect of my oldest son leaving us. But now my daughter wants permission to leave our country in her sophomore year and spend 10 days visiting Germany, Italy and Switzerland. This is a trip she would be taking … Continue reading

The Reality of Letting Go

“Can I talk to you?” Whenever your teen comes to you with that question and a serious look on their face, you can’t help but brace yourself. That was the question my 17-year-old came to me with earlier this week. I could feel my chest tightening and my heart started racing. He is never this serious…what could he possibly have to ask me that he would even have to sit down next to me? Then this followed, “Can we meet with an Air Force recruiter?” Well that definitely threw me for a loop. I thought “we” had decided on the … Continue reading

Time to Grow Up

This Christmas I got another reminder of how silly and immature people can be. This time I got to watch from the outside looking in. Both my little sister and I have protective orders from her father. It has been many years since either of us has had much contact with him. However, this summer when she got married, she did try to be the bigger person and invite him to her wedding, even though she didn’t really want him there. She’s tried to be the adult in things, but it is usually met by childish rantings about how he … Continue reading

Helpful Hints to Help Kids with ADHD at Christmastime

The closer we get to Christmas, the more excited most children will become. Parents of children who have ADHD need to be able to separate the myths about this disorder from the facts. There are certain things you can do to help your child cope with the holidays. There are some myths about ADHD that your relatives may mistakingly think are facts. December is a month that typically involves lots of family gatherings. Parents of kids who have ADHD might want to be prepared to gently educate their relatives about their misconceptions about this disorder. Studies show that there is … Continue reading

Bedtime Story Now Airing at Disney World Hotels

If you stay in a Walt Disney World resort, you won’t have to do anything for yourself. Well, that isn’t exactly true, but Disney prides itself on offering special luxuries and letting you just sit back and relax for your vacations. They’re constantly adding new amenities to their resorts, and the latest is certainly unique. Every night from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. channel 38 on the televisions in Disney World resort hotels play a read-along clip from the new children’s book “Duffy the Disney Bear: Mickey’s New Friend.” That’s right: Disney World resorts are now offering to read your children their … Continue reading

Letting It Go

When it comes to letting go, we all have our unique difficulties. One of mine is the letting go of my house. I find it nearly impossible to allow myself the chance to rest when I truly need it. Instead, all I see are the things that need to be done. The past week has been a little stressful. Not only have I been sick, but I was also the host for Thanksgiving this year. Then there are the expectations that the weekend after Thanksgiving, I put up the Christmas tree and decorations. I had a lot on my plate … Continue reading