tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26289443413980268962024-03-05T16:39:11.457-06:00Funsizd Mama! {SWAKlife}Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-1591452054552011272013-06-13T23:57:00.001-05:002013-06-14T12:02:44.427-05:00Happy Father's Day...Mom?!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Times; font-size: 18px;"><div class="s2" style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">Last month was Mother’s Day. The week prior to Mother’s Day….really WEEKS prior to Mother’s Day, I know of people who were planning spectacular surprises and buying meaning</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">ful </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">and thoughtful gifts for their mothers. There were very few people that waited until the last minute…</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">Fast forward to the week (well days) before Father’s Day. Card stores are still full of cards, stores still full of last minute gifts, whereas a few days before Mother’s Day shelves were almost empty and good luck trying to find something the day before! I’ve </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">even had to remind friends </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">this weekend is Father’s Day weekend. Nobody had to be remind about Mother’s Day! What is it that makes </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">Father’s Day</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> less celebrated than Mother’s Day? As if that isn’t enough, </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">some fathers are totally eliminated from the day as mothers are celebrated even on this day. Yep…they even have cards wishing </span><span class="s3" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;">mom</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> a Happy Father’s Day!</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">I know of friend</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">s that are taking their moms </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">out to dinner on this day as well. Every year there is a debate as to whether this is acceptable….should single mothers also be celebrated on Father’</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">s Day?</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> I’ll be honest…I’m not opposed to it. I even have single mom friends that I wish a Happy Father’s Day too. And if someone wishes me a Happy Father’s Day I gladly accept their well wish…not because I’m a father…but because I am a single mother that has to do it all</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">. E</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">specially as a single mom of twins who were in and out of the hospital their first years of life, I’ll take that accolade since it was m</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">e who was up late nights comforting, giving medicine, and scheduled </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">breathing treatments or spending</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> the night at the hospital in PICU while</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> the other parent “checked in”</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> from afar, </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">not choosing to not drive the </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">super long </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">3.5 hours at times to be at their side</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">.</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> As a matter of fact my first mother’s day with the twins was spent in the hospital with one twin in PICU and not even a Happy Mother’s Day</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> wish</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> from the “other parent”. I digress, but I take the Father’s Day wishes in stride </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">because I</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;"> know </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">I’m really being </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">recognized as </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">an extraordinary mother :)</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px;">So what do you think? Should single moms also be recognized on Father’s Day? Why or Why not?</span></div>
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-14196155831289208432013-05-28T10:42:00.001-05:002013-05-28T10:42:58.211-05:00Single Parents...the latest group for work discrimination?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So you know the one….she works 60+ hours a week…bragging about how she can function on 4 hours of sleep….not satisfied unless she’s in back to back meetings and involved in every big project at work? Never saying no to a project even if it means getting on a plane at the last minute to save an account…she is the shero of the company. If she can’t do it, no one can!! She tries to act modest but you know she is loving every minute of it...</div>
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Then there’s you…a single parent barely able to keep up with the 40 hours (but doing so, even going beyond 40 hours) struggling, doing your best to keep up with your deadlines (but doing so)…hopping on flight after flight for meetings with clients. Your children wonder when you drop them off for school if you’re going to pick them up after school or if you will be on a plane. Logging into work at 10 p.m. and working until the wee hours of the morning because you had to wait until your kids went to bed before you could finish a project. Compared to your other {married} co-workers who put in 60+ hours, your 45-48 hours look weak!</div>
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True story…I was working on a project with another co-worker{married with a 20 mth. old}. We had a meeting the next day for a client and decided to split the work in order to make the deadline. Okay, so because she has aspouse who can watch her ONE child she works non-stop and finishes her half. I on the other hand had to stop, pick up my THREE kids from school/daycare,finish homework, feed them, bathe them, and put them to bed before I could pick back up and finish my work. So once I finally get the kids to bed and settle into work around 9 p.m. I notice that Mrs. Married Co-worker has taken it upon herself to finish my half of the work. I was half thrilled and half upset! I sent her an email saying that I was just about to finish the work for our meeting and noticed she had finished the work and told her thank you. She replied back saying no problem, she was just on a roll anyway and had the time to finish it. But to our supervisor she said something totally different…that she had to finish work that I didn’t complete in time for our meeting with a client?? Wow! </div>
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Even for the office workers..always a few minutes late...or having to adjust your start time to a later time..working through lunch to be able to leave on time. No matter how much planning and preparation you have for the morning…there is always something that can go wrong. For some reason toddlers just don’t like to be rushed in the morning…or your preschooler spills something on her uniform and has to make an unexpected outfit change. Sure, your married co-worker has small children as well….BUT he also has a stay at home wife and often brags about how he just leaves her home to deal with the kids while he escapes early to work…yeah that’s just the kind of husband I want. That last minute meeting at the end of the day…oh yeah…he can stay…but you? Unless you want to pay $5 a minute for each minute you’re late picking up the kids…and yes that is per child…you have to go. Your other co-workers just roll their eyes as you leave while they stay. Your single, childless, workaholic boss shakes her head at you….I mean really..where are your priorities? She stays at the office until 7pm and the nerve of you wanting to leave before 5. </div>
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So is this a new discrimination? Should some jobs just come with stipulations that you just cannot apply if you’re a single parent? If you’re not willing to sacrifice time with your family..do not apply?? Although the job advertises a 40 hour work week…if you’re not willing to put in at least 50-60 like your other married co-workers…do not apply?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the job says 30% travel, but you’re really expected 60% travel even if it means back to back weeks away from your children. Oh no, the job descriptions won’t say anything like this…instead they have words like “fast-paced”, “multiple projects”, “extreme customer service” </div>
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Maybe it’s my fault….how dare I take a job that pays enough to cover all the bills…at the same time…without having to worry about when/if the other parent is going to pay child support. It seems like the single/custodial parent constantly has to choose between career and family while the other parent rises to the top with no problem because they don’t have to be concerned with traveling three weeks in a row and being away from their children. And actually this is not just me being dramatic…there is a name for it…Family ResponsibilityDiscrimination (FDR).</div>
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Women with children are most likely to encounter Family Responsibility Discrimination. This group has been found to be 79% less likely to be recommended for hire, 100% less likely to be promoted and offered at least $10,000 less in salary for the same position as a similarly situated male. </div>
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What can you do if you feel that you have been discriminated against under FDR? Well, it depends. There is bad news and good news. The bad news…although some forms of FDR appear to be blatant….a supervisor asking you to work ridiculous hours, knowing your situation as a caregiver prevents you from doing so and then denying you a promotion…while this may appear to be a form of FDR, it unfortunately is not illegal. Even if your state DOES recognize these forms of discrimination as illegal, your employer may argue there is a business justification (other than discrimination) for giving you a promotion over a co-worker, since it is going to the worker who has worked more hours and presumably has contributed more to the business.</div>
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The good news?? FDR cases are on the rise in every state andin every industry and employees prevail in almost half of the cases. The best news…verdicts and settlements in FDR cases average over $500,000.</div>
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So what does this mean for you as a single parent? It means if you are the target of discrimination at work you can fight back…and the odds of winning are more in your favor than not!!</div>
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It isn’t fair that jobs which allow a single parent to be able to care for their children above poverty level are so out of reach…<br />
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Funsizdmama <br />
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">sources for statistics and information:</li>
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<a href="http://worklifelaw.org/frd/">http://worklifelaw.org/frd/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hrmorning.com/new-legal-threat-family-responsibility-discrimination/">http://www.hrmorning.com/new-legal-threat-family-responsibility-discrimination/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.workplacefairness.org/family-responsibilities-discrimination?agree=yes">http://www.workplacefairness.org/family-responsibilities-discrimination?agree=yes</a></div>
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-75706427468384140362013-05-23T00:57:00.000-05:002013-05-23T00:57:42.159-05:00SWAKlife presents: Ready! Set! Go!! Summer Fun Expo!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0xAdZb7tdCMXiTHScC8EwOhEboLqPGBHwl3jpboQW_RtyffQwC4nLmSstO2HDNvcy5waUoW2WkyiXUbGTegdPB-t1V_xDCT4hmKCeXpM3NLMjHtp-Y4-8nOO45axQE2Zsr3Tm61Oxw/s1600/SWAKlife+expo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0xAdZb7tdCMXiTHScC8EwOhEboLqPGBHwl3jpboQW_RtyffQwC4nLmSstO2HDNvcy5waUoW2WkyiXUbGTegdPB-t1V_xDCT4hmKCeXpM3NLMjHtp-Y4-8nOO45axQE2Zsr3Tm61Oxw/s640/SWAKlife+expo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">SWAKlife presents:<br /> <br /> Ready! Set! Go!! Summer Fun Expo!<br /> Free! Free! Free!<br /> *Donations are appreciated<br /> <br /> Come enjoy performances and fun!<br /> Celebrate the end of the school year with Mr E! The Motivator!<br /> <br />
Parents sign your kids up for fun, educational, active summer programs
this summer!! No kid left inside this summer! Get outside and play!!<br /> <br /> Interested family friendly vendors email us at SWAKlife@gmail.com for your free table!<br /> <br /> Location: ADRS Building<br /> 3000 Johnson Road SW<br /> Huntsville, AL 35805</span></span></span></b>Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-62358320946557725382013-02-25T14:10:00.003-06:002013-02-25T14:10:57.674-06:00HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength….asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength….repeat daily! I’m saying this to you, but it’s really for me. I have the hardest time asking for help. I will explore every option possible to do it myself before I ask for help…and by that time it’s a do or die situation. I guess my whole life I’ve been told what I can’t do….so I take that as a challenge. You can’t go to the Army…..watch me. You can’t leave your husband….watch me. You can’t get pregnant…watch me (I think I overachieved on this one though!! LOL!) You can’t raise children without help from other people….watch me. I become so committed to proving what I “can” do….that even when it’s truly obvious that I need help…I refuse it…on the fear that I’ll appear defeated. It may also have something to do with the fact that when I have asked and accepted help from people, I was made to feel defeated instead of empowered….especially by family members who use every opportunity to “remind” me of their help. The funny part about this is I’m a giving person…not because I want to be recognized for it or stash up IOU’s…but because I genuinely know what it’s like to struggle…I mean really STRU-UG-GLE!!! If there is a way to prevent someone from going through hard times I want to help if I’m able…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But having children has definitely changed my perspective on asking and receiving help…I still struggle with it…but I’m more accepting of it now because it’s not about me. I have children who depend on me. My children didn’t ask to be brought into this world, I brought them here and they should not suffer for my need to “prove” I can do it all. Nobody wins in that! My BFF and co-founder of <a href="http://www.swaklife.org/">www.SWAKlife.org</a> Nikeesha, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>also made a good point in her recent blog at <span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.nikeereneeswaklife.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">www.nikeereneeswaklife.blogspot.com</span></a></span> WE set the example for our kids and sometimes telling them isn’t enough...we need to SHOW them. Yes it's great for children to witness our strength, but they also need to know when they are not strong enough, seek help! I want my children to be able to ask for anything without feeling like a failure for doing so. I want to encourage and empower them to feel good about asking for help and to always seek help from others when they need it. Because sometimes you just cannot do it alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Funsizdmama</span></div>
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-35463497381228978772013-02-18T14:46:00.000-06:002013-02-18T14:46:22.473-06:00Oh no! Am I a {gasp} mommy snob??<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not in the sense that I think I’m better than anybody…let me explain…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So the other day I’m with a group of mothers…to give you some background info…most of us have more than one child and some are mother’s of multiples….but not all are single parents. Anyway, I asked a question in regards to my twins and the first person to speak up was a married mother with one child. While it was true that I did direct my question to the group as a whole, I really EXPECTED one of the mother’s with multiples to answer…so I immediately went on the defense when this married mother of one answered. For one…you are married…you have help! Two….you have ONE child, not three and definitely not multiples so how can you relate to what I’m speaking about?? And THREE….not to judge, but your child doesn’t have the BEST behavior…so maybe you want to take some “advice” and give it to yourself! Too harsh?? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably…but hey those were my thoughts. Now I didn’t say any of this out loud…but I know my facial expressions speak volumes! The more I thought about my reaction to her advice I did feel a little bad. I thought geez…we are all mothers right? She was only trying to help. But I guess when I seek advice from a person, I want to feel that person has the same level of experience, preferably MORE experience to be able to provide me with sound advice, right? Personally, I only give advice on things I know from experience, so I always find it surprising when people give advice in areas they have no expertise/experience in. I even have this issue with my own mother, who feels that she is an expert because she has raised three children (30+ years ago!!)…and while she of course did a fabulous job (I mean look at me..) there are still certain areas in which we cannot relate…for example being a single parent. Now my mom was a married “single” parent when it came to raising us (meaning that my father’s role did not include raising the children…that was strictly my mother’s area) but unlike me she never had to worry about anything financially. Never! She moved from her father’s house to marrying my dad. And my dad took care of all the bills so her focus could be on the children. Now I’m not saying that she cannot give me advice at all, but there are just certain areas in which we clash because she cannot relate. Where she only had to fry the bacon, I have to fry it and bring it home too….so she doesn’t understand that just because the kids need new shoes, I have to wait until the budget (a concept she has yet to grasp) allows for that expense; whereas she can go to the mall and gets 3 pairs of shoes without blinking an eye. My biggest peeve are mother’s who have children close in age and tell me it’s “like” raising twins? Umm, no…it’s not “like” raising twins….its “like” raising kids who are close in age. Ohhhh Ohhhh wait..I take that back!! Without a doubt my biggest peeve are women who compare having a pet to raising a child???!!!!! Really?? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now don’t get me wrong…I’m a pet lover. In fact before I had children of my own, I had a dog, Jasmine, who was yes, “my baby”. BUT I never<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thought to myself “this is what it must be like to raise a child” I clearly understood the difference between “my baby” being an animal versus being a human being. I even had one pet mom argue with me that her pet “child” had clothes, went to “dog” school, and she even paid for “doggie” daycare. Ooookay…but those are all personal choices you made for your dog, not necessities. You can choose to leave your dog home alone if you want to without any legal consequences or fear of them dying. AND…until I can go on vacation and leave my kids in a kennel…you have no leverage with me on that….end of discussion!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess overall I want to do what’s best for my children and when it involves an area where I’m still learning, I want to know what other moms “in that situation” do/have done. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that wrong?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what do you think? Can you relate or am I a mommy snob? You can tell me…I can handle it! How do you feel as a single parent when a married parent gives you advice? Come on…don’t leave me hanging feeling like a bad mommy!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">funsizdmama</span></div>
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-83939295900383278642013-02-14T10:46:00.000-06:002013-02-14T10:46:55.641-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-46581803359591748682013-02-12T14:21:00.000-06:002015-06-01T22:27:35.394-05:00I don't date...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W5FRVz8I5c90EvuihhENaTLbojZBkrjM5lelVhsoQqb-oqQfVW2_9Jxb2qzpQChaaXW1gXdNNcGUDx92QeIf5zIK8IPACCV71SCMh5ytPAUc3kNtbEGkzVqCIby6RWa13cJHNW3TkQ/s640/blogger-image--155184883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W5FRVz8I5c90EvuihhENaTLbojZBkrjM5lelVhsoQqb-oqQfVW2_9Jxb2qzpQChaaXW1gXdNNcGUDx92QeIf5zIK8IPACCV71SCMh5ytPAUc3kNtbEGkzVqCIby6RWa13cJHNW3TkQ/s320/blogger-image--155184883.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember being pregnant with my twins, thinking my life was over! I was already a single mom of one daughter and now I was about to be a single mom of not two, but THREE kids!!! Who in their right mind would want to date me?? I’m doomed to be alone forever! But after having my twins that fear quickly went away as I found myself in an unexpected position of MORE men wanting to date me?? How did that happen? You would think I would be excited that I wasn’t “off the market” but oddly enough, it was me that didn’t want to date or pursue a relationship...why?? Here are my reasons in no particular order but let’s just start with the “more” men I referred to earlier…</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A whole new world…of men!</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes I found more men wanting to date me….men that probably would never give me the time of day before and vise versa. My highest “demand” category seemed to be men with more than one child. Men seemed to think that “hey…she has more than one child, I have more than one child…match made in heaven” Umm, no, not necessarily. Man + Woman + tribe of kids does not always = The Brady Bunch. The next highest demand category were older men who had children and didn’t want anymore and assumed that because I already have three I don’t want any more either….in this case…you are CORRECT! LOL! But these men usually have older children too and are past the tolerance level of dealing with small children like mine. And the last category is one that I hate….the men that figure I should be happy and thrilled that a man would want to talk to a single mom of 3 kids and I should feel happy with anything they have to offer….which most of the time isn’t much. As for this last group of men….don‘t even bother approaching me! My standards have not lowered because I have children…as a matter of fact they are HIGHER! Unfortunately for these men, my self-worth and self-esteem is not wrapped around a man wanting to be with me. I am very content being single and honestly don’t know if I’m even “built” for a relationship…. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">My children need me!</b> I think a lot of my lack of desire to date (not sex..dating…two different things) has to do with my children being so young. I have three kids under the age of 5….so it’s not like they can fend for themselves (even though I consider my 5 yr old to be almost an adult….she can dress herself, bathe herself, go to the bathroom by herself, even fix herself a sandwich, juice, and cereal…I mean what’s left??) My point is they are at the age where my undivided attention is needed…at ALL TIMES. Plus I know for a fact the twins are the last of my babies {<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unless</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m giving birth to the next Jesus!!</i>} I really don’t like to share my time with them with anyone else. And really after taking care of three children all day who really has time to date?? Which brings me to random reason number <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#3</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Ain’t nobody got time for that”</b> – this is pretty self explanatory….umm, I don’t have time for that. Between working full time {and yes I have a REAL job even though I work from home!!}<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND being a full time single parent to 3 kids under 5….there is really not much time left…seriously….and when there is free time….it’s not REALLY free time. It’s “ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">time to do what I can’t do when the kids aren’t around</i>” time…like cleaning rooms, grocery shopping, throwing out toys they don’t play with anymore, getting the car washed because they are scared to death of the “drive through” car wash….oh, by the way, does any other parent use this as a threat for misbehaving? No…just me….oh….well never mind…I won’t tell you that story. Anyway, my point is…my “free” time no longer consists of anything that actually has to do with me enjoying myself….which brings me to random reason number #4</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I’m selfish with myself!!</b> – Yep, I said it….99.9% of the time I have to think about three little people….so when I do get the rare free time, which is ACTUALLY free time…to actually do something for me…it usually doesn’t involve another human being. It involves ME, ME, and more ME. Things like….taking a full shower...washing my hair, shaving, AND scrubbing…..a pedicure/manicure, going to the bookstore and reading all the magazines that don’t involve being a parent, or just going to a restaurant and ordering a meal and actually enjoying it…by myself…without sharing….without having to stop every 5 minutes and cut someone’s food, or clean a spill, or breaking up a food fight, or trying to explain why they can’t drink mommy’s juice (wine).</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It’s expensive!!</b> Yes, even though I might be on a date where the man is paying for the meal and entertainment….trust me…my cost is just as significant as any meal or movie he might pay for! There is the hair, nails, outfit, makeup, and the most expensive cost of all {insert dramatic music} THE BABYSITTER!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do men have any freaking idea how much a babysitter costs???? For three kids??? Between $12-15 an hour….and most have a minimum time of 3-4 hours…and then some have a mileage charge in addition to the fees!! So now I have paid probably well above what he has paid, for a meal where I feel like I’m interviewing for a job….and let’s pray the conversation is good because if not I have to endure at least 4 hours of boring date time….OR WORSE if the date IS good, I only have 4 hours of date time before I have to leave, because at some point I have to cut the date short to get back home in time for my babysitter to leave before charging me for extra time…..uggh! Sometimes the date is not worth all the trouble! Geez! *<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I do have an alternative for dating “after hours”….go on “lunch” dates! It’s almost perfect….you don’t have to pay for a babysitter because the kids are in school/daycare….you’re only required to look “business” hot (plus you get to see how he looks in a suit or business attire)...there is a defined beginning and end to the date because you have to get back to the office at some point….so if the date is going bad, you only have to endure it for an hour….and if the date is good then you know if it’s worth spending the extra money to date “after hours”…LOL!</i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let me Cater to you:</b> Most men think because you are a mother, you are nurturing and caring….which to them is code for “cater to me”. Umm, no….true I am nurturing and caring….to my children, not grown men! Really after taking care of 3 other human beings and myself all the time….the LAST thing I want to do is cater to another human being! How about YOU cater to ME!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So there you have it….why I <strike>will be alone forever</strike> don’t date! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Funsizdmama</span></div>
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-18488382304070403902013-01-28T11:05:00.000-06:002013-01-28T11:36:21.790-06:00{Singing} It’s the most wonderful time of the year! <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">{Singing} It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”…It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No…not Christmas…it’s income tax season!! Lol! Seriously, this is the time of the year that single parents look forward to the most! All those months of working, childcare, medical expenses, daycare, etc. will manifest into a nice refund check!! But listen…please please please….don’t get “fabulous" with your refund check. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6Gv6JTIF4DA78NR5eAvW5xvAaJYVYlTj5xOCsnksUSR-joFziLrJ-jZ6UqkYblUn1Yxa1tO2_Awy5L0xX-LxCYYYdPyoJexwTyU-RjIeraR4kGwAn68_JKNtfYOwBEIAmSvrDtANPg/s1600/income+tax+ballers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6Gv6JTIF4DA78NR5eAvW5xvAaJYVYlTj5xOCsnksUSR-joFziLrJ-jZ6UqkYblUn1Yxa1tO2_Awy5L0xX-LxCYYYdPyoJexwTyU-RjIeraR4kGwAn68_JKNtfYOwBEIAmSvrDtANPg/s1600/income+tax+ballers.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s your money and of course you can do whatever you want with it. But consider doing something that will set you up for success for the remainder of the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some ideas:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I set up family vacations with my extra money. While I may not pay for the entire trip, I’ll make the initial deposit and then set up a payment plan for the remaining. It’s nice to have something to look forward to!!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I invest into my business. Invest in a business that can be another income stream for you throughout the year. I’m all about multiple streams of income!! In 2011 I was laid off TWICE {not a good year for government contractors) so only having one stream of income as a single parent makes me VERY nervous. So consider using your extra money to start a side business. If you already have a business, reinvest in it…get a website if you don’t have one, order some professional business cards, buy better equipment, hire a business consultant to help you map out a plan for growth. The best part about this….you can write it off next income tax season!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Car maintenance! Get that tune up, buy those new tires, replace parts….whatever. I would be in serious trouble without my car as would most single parents who only have that one source of transportation. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Car insurance...pay it up for the year or at least for six months. Now you don’t have to worry about that extra bill for the period of time you have paid it up. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emergency Fund – I’m telling you, 2011 made me so nervous! My father is always asking me if I’m saving money {insert hysterical laughter} How?? My paychecks JUST cover my bills….like barely…like….barely. This is a time when I can set aside that elusive “extra money” my father is always asking about. I think the standard emergency fund is supposed to cover 3-6 months of living expenses, but I save at least one month’s expenses and build on it throughout the year. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Birthday and Christmas savings – some banks let you set up Christmas saving accounts that can be accessed after November. For me I have another bank account that I don’t use often {out of sight out of mind} and I’ll send a few dollars a month to that account every paycheck {auto payment so you don’t even notice that it’s missing} You can also use this to save up for Birthdays and not just for your kids…but for birthday parties they get invited to. I promise between my three kids they get invited to more birthday parties than I care for. And the party usually falls on a week that I’m in between paychecks…so now my kid shows up with the crappy Dollar Store gift...don’t judge..lol!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So those are some of my ideas. It depends on how much you get back as to what you can do. Trust me…I pay a small fortune in childcare and medical expenses and while I <strike>curse profusely</strike> complain all year I’m always happy around income tax time!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s wishing you a Happy Income Season! LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leave me a comment….share your ideas with me!</span></div>
Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-20981930744242948172013-01-26T01:23:00.001-06:002013-01-26T23:58:48.580-06:00Up for a reason...meI should've been sleep HOURS ago! So what am I doing up? Working? No... Cleaning the house, getting things ready for tomorrow...doing anything productive?? No, No, and No....I'm just up...enjoying the quiet. No phones ringing, no computer alerting me of incoming work, no meetings....and best of all....nooooo kids. Just me...my thoughts...my wine...my time. I can do whatever I want...or nothing at all...<br />
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I don't want it to end...but it will <br />
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-41162836899056254242013-01-07T10:00:00.000-06:002013-01-26T23:57:48.497-06:00I'd want me as a parent!Do you like the type of parent you are to your kids? I mean honestly think about what memories you are making for them. Besides being financially stable..I think I'm the perfect parent for my kids! I mean hey...I'm pretty cool...I'd want me as parent! But seriously, would I like them to have a mother and father in the same household? Sure! (or better yet, a father that was present in their lives PERIOD and not just a check daddy) But overall I think I do a pretty good job..and not because of what people see on the outside (nicely dressed, happy kids) but because of what I know happens on the inside. I really care about my children as <em>individual</em> beings and how the things I do today could affect them tomorrow. I know some parents are more caught up with <em>APPEARING</em> to be the perfect parent and not actually <strong>being</strong> the parent their kids need. I love love love love love my parents....and they were the best parents they knew how to be...and back in their day it was more about how children were "seen" by other parents. I feel a lot of my parents concerns were how we "appeared" to other people. As far as taking the time to really know me as an individual I would have to say that wasn't a top priority and even today our relationship is a bit strained at times because of it. It wasn't important for my parents to get to know me as a person, an individual. It was more important for me to just "act right"...which were strictly by their standards of what was right. It makes me reflect on the type of parent I want to be for my children and the memories I want them to have of me. I don't remember playing and laughing with my parents much...but I love when I'm being silly with my kids...to hear that genuine laughter and happiness when my 5yr old daughter says "mom, you're so silly" I know these will be the memories she has of me....at least I hope so...and not the fact that I'm trying to take her mind off the cable being off because it wasn't a "chosen" bill this month! Lol! I take time to talk <strong>to</strong> my children and not <strong>at</strong> them all the time....really get into those little minds and I love our daily conversations. Boy do I learn a lot! And I hope I'm building the foundation for them to feel comfortable later when they are older to be able to talk to me about things. To this day I don't feel like I can freely talk to my parents...a grown 30 something female who cannot talk to my parents as a grown adult. I'm sad sometimes they have no idea who I really am. I try my very best not to repeat this with my children because I know how empty it can feel at times. Now, there are times though I get caught up in the hype myself....like when my 5 yr old decides she wants to dress herself for the day and I instantly think "oh my goodness, what are people going to think when they see her looking like that??".....but then I <strike>have a drink</strike> think about her expressing herself as an individual and how I would've LOVED to do that at her age and I carry on...<br />
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I won't lie...I do take pride when people tell me that I'm a "good" mom....but not because of what they see on the outside....but because of what I know on the inside...</div>
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#SWAKlife</div>
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-49519507490155922942012-12-13T15:25:00.003-06:002013-01-26T23:52:43.276-06:00Sorry, It's not my day.....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When do I get excused from parenthood? When do I get to pick and choose which days I want to “play” parent?? When do I get to ignore my kids and have people say to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other parent</i> “Well, you’re the one that chose her” When does it become acceptable for me to take care of my children based on the way I feel about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the other parent</i>…I mean since I don’t care for/love/like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the other parent</i> I shouldn’t have to care for their children right? When does my irresponsible behavior and bad life choices get to be excused because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the other parent </i>just made a bad choice when they slept with me??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here it is….I hate hate hate when I’m talking about the absence of the “other parent” from my children’s life and the response I get is “well, you’re the one that chose him” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Really?? Is this the best you can think to say? So along with raising the children on my own I should just accept being a single parent because, yes, I slept with what was cleverly disguised as a man?? I just HATE this dismissive attitude towards <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the other parent </i>like that just excuses him from all responsibility because <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I</b> made the bad choice?? Well you know, when I found out I was pregnant with my first child…guess what…I wasn’t ready to be a parent….matter of fact, I was told that I would not be able to even get pregnant without the use of fertility drugs; sooo technically I shouldn’t have to own up to that responsibility right?? Or when I got pregnant the second time, I was only prepared for one baby so the fact that it turned out to be twins should excuse me right?? Nope, I wasn’t ready for any of this…but guess what? I accepted the fact that I brought life into this world…even when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the other parent</i> didn’t want me to…and I stepped up to the plate to be an adult...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I know there are indeed those situations where women sleep with men who already have children they are not taking care of and act surprised when, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WOW</b> they don’t take care of their child either. But not every case is like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And neither was mine. W</span>hat about those who didn’t show their “true” colors until the relationship was over? I know couples that were married for many years where the husband was a seemingly loving father, but once the marriage ended, it was out of sight out of mind with the children. Spending time with their children was reduced to whether it was “their day” or not….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So those mothers not only accept the full responsibility of raising the children, but also the fact that they have to raise them alone because…hey, it’s not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the other parent’s </i>fault, it’s her because she chose him??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Such bullshit….grow up! That is not an excuse…you have children now…you should at least act older than them! I just feel like as long as the other parent's behavior is excused nothing will ever change. Women start to feel like bad mother's who "chose" the wrong man, start feeling deserving of the behavior of the other parent...the burden of guilt for the father they have "chosen" for their children can be heavy and great...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t imagine my life without my children…it’s hard for me to even go throughout ONE day without missing them like crazy. I can’t sleep at night knowing they have a need that hasn’t been met. How is it so easy for you??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Was I ready to be a mother when I had my first child?? No..not at all.... but r</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">eady or not…a mother I’ve become…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">#SWAKlife</span></div>
Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-51515497669245925332012-10-04T23:44:00.003-05:002013-01-26T23:56:37.816-06:00So Buzz has a favorite child....so do I!So a few weeks, days, hours ago...I don't know...sometime recently in the news....this father of two, Buzz Bishop, candidly admitted on his blog <a href="http://www.buzzbishop.com/">www.buzzbishop.com</a> to having a favorite child. The media went wild...chastising him, questioning his parenting, just about everything short of having child services come take his children away. I suspect I know why the sudden outburst of parental hate towards Mr. Bishop.....because he was speaking the truth that no parent is supposed to admit! Now, before you include me in the recent hate bash with Buzz, let me explain. All I'm saying is that I can <em>kind</em> of relate to what he was saying about having a favorite child....<strong>BUT</strong> unlike Bishop I'm not saying that out of my three children I have an overall favorite...but I will admit to having a favorite child for certain things/activities. To give you examples...Carter Brooke (2yrs old) is my favorite child to cuddle with. Does that mean I don't like to cuddle with my other children? No....just that Carter is my favorite child for that activity. She gives good cuddle!! Lol! She'll just snuggle with you and give you sweet kisses and touch your face and lets me hold her as long as I want....whereas Camden will give me about 2 minutes tops of cuddle time before he wants to get down and Kennedy...well...she is already "too big" to cuddle {tears...she's only 5?? Geez!} but sometimes when she is not feeling well she'll let me cuddle with her though...hey gotta take what you can get around here. <br />
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Speaking of Kennedy....that's my roll dawg right there!! The rare occasion the twins are with the "other parent" or their grandparents for the weekend and it's just me and her....we ride out!! Okay...don't think I'm like taking her to the bars or anything...but we will go out to eat, maybe catch a movie or something. She is my favorite child to go to restaurants and the bookstore with....I mean hey she can feed herself and read so she's practically grown. With her I can hang out a little later, have interesting conversations like this one<br />
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.....and going from 3 kids to 1 just feels like you're practically childless! (Why didn't somebody tell me how good I had it with just one child! LOL! I kid, I kid...but really...why?)<br />
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Last but certainly not least is my Cam (2yrs old)....now he takes care of mama. He is my favorite child to share a snack with. One because he's so polite about it...using his manners...please and thank you...okay it's more like "peas" and "tank you mommy" but you get the idea. Not only that, he makes sure mama is full always offering me a piece of his snack....which is always covered with his sweet baby sugar so I usually decline...not to thrilled about having my snacks "pre-chewed" <br />
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But anyway, my point is I think if parents really admitted it, they might realize that they have a favorite child too....maybe not overall favorite like Bishop admitted to...I think that was taking it a little far...just my opinion, but at least he was honest with himself about it and that's more than I can say for some parents walking around lying to themselves...<br />
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Let me know what you think! <br />
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#SWAKlife<br />
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<strike></strike><br />Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-29906019462220711102012-09-17T11:46:00.001-05:002012-09-17T12:48:48.507-05:00Football and chicken!!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So this was an exciting weekend for the Rankin family. The twins attended their first Alabama A&M football game! Yay!! I've been waiting on this day for awhile now...the twins were too sick to attend games before because of respiratory issues. All in all we had a great time but I think my favorite event by far was tailgating!! We stopped at one tent to enjoy some grilled chicken...Carter was particularly fond of it...she was dancing to the music and eating her chicken enjoying life!! Unfortunately it had to come to an end because I needed to get the kids dropped of with their grandparents/babysitters so mama could go out that night. Well, lets just say Carter was not too pleased to part with her chicken!! She immediately started crying and screaming "CHICKEN!!!!" and continued this until we made it to the car..lol! What can I say..my baby loves her chicken!!</span><br />
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Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-42475373141835271002012-08-30T12:00:00.000-05:002012-08-30T12:10:08.959-05:00How I do it - The morning rush.....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two phrases I hear all the time…1. ”Oh you really have your hands full” {glad you noticed why don’t you use one of your FREE hands to help me instead of just standing there looking??!} and 2. “I don’t see how you do it with three kids by yourself” {Well if I didn’t then who would??}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I never know how to take those comments…do people mean them as compliments or as pity…who knows? But let me address one of those phrases….”I don’t see how you do it with three kids by yourself”…I usually joke and tell people that alcohol helps….okay okay…it’s a little bit more truth than joke but hey…I think I deserve a drink every now and then right?? But really “how I do it” is to be organized…now let me be the FIRST to tell you…organization is NOT my speciality by far and don't think you will come over and find my house all neat and organized….but with three kids under the age of 6 it is a necessity whether I like it or not. So let’s just take the busiest time for me which is that morning rush…ugggh!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prep/pack the night before – iron clothes and get everything you will need together…including socks, shoes, hair bows, belts, bottles…whatever {You have NO idea how much missing socks can hold up my morning!! } Pack diaperbags/bookbags/lunches and have everything you’ll need to walk out the door in one place for easy pick up in the morning. Depending on the age of your children, try to plan for the unexpected as much as possible…for example…a certain little boy who is notorious for spilling something on his clothes before we make it out the door…I always have a back up shirt/outfit ready to go…</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Checklist / Calendar – I’m notorious for lists…I have them everywhere….but it helps me keep a focus on what I need to do because in the rush of the morning I’m more than likely to forget something…especially if it’s not part of our normal routine…like special permission slips that need to be returned…</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up before everyone – ugggh!! Use this time to get yourself dressed and ready for the day…I really hate this but I have to admit it helps..not only to help me organize what I may have missed the night before…but also just to have those precious moments of golden silence before the chaos begins {And to watch something other than Nick Jr. for a few minutes} If you must, use this time to check emails/FB/Twitter/Pinterest…wait…stay OFF Pinterest! That can throw away the whole morning!! </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have everything ready to go BEFORE you wake the kids up – Have breakfast on the table, juice/milk poured…whatever it is..have it ready…if your kids wait until after they are dressed to eat…have breakfast ready to pull out the microwave/fridge…have clothes laid out for children who can dressed themselves (tip: my 5 yr old goes a little overboard with the lotion so I squeeze out a small amount and put it on a little drink coaster for her) If you have everything ready before the kids wakeup you can just delegate…you go there…you bathroom…you get dressed..etc</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now the fun part…actually getting the kids up – for now my toddlers wake up with no problem…the 5 yr old on the other hand is a different story {already asking for 10 extra minutes??} So I’ve developed a few techniques for her…some days I make it a contest/challenge…her against the clock…if she beats the clock she gets a prize after school;or bribe her with a special breakfast treat….maybe a smoothie or cookie with breakfast…hey it works! Also, I give warnings all morning....Hey we have 30 minutes to be out the door....15 minutes and we're leaving...etc. It seems to help rather than just saying come on now! Now, let me say establishing a set bedtime is VERY helpful to getting the kids up in themorning…I have mommy friends whose kids stay up all night…or way past hours that I think kids should be up…the weekends I let me 5 yr old stay up later but Monday – Friday….”heads in bed” is at 8:30!!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make note of the morning challenges and eliminate them – yes we want our kids to be able to self sufficient…but if you notice it takes your child FOREVER to tie their shoes in the morning…YOU tie them! You can work on their technique later when time is not of the essence. Sure your toddler likes to dress themselves…save that for bedtime….help them in the morning..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now these are just a few tips that work for me…of course there is always that morning when nothing goes right…or something extra is added (like that last minute diaper blowout right before we walk out the door or breathing treatments in the morning..uggh!) Just plan plan plan to the best of your ability and if the unexpected happens….just take a deep breath and look at those little faces…before you blow up and lose your temper just think about what memory you want to create for them….do you want them to remember mommy being stressed and out of control….or cool, calm, and collected </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> {My children will have memories of BOTH!! Lol!}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What are your morning tips? I'd love to hear them....</span></div>
Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-75440940041611226002012-08-19T21:27:00.001-05:002012-08-19T21:27:17.748-05:00Introducing...SWAKlife!<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a single parent, everything that transpires in your household depends solely on you. Seven out of ten households with children are sustained exclusively on the income of one parent. As you can visualize it gets unbelievably harder everyday to meet the difficulties of parenting. Childrearing has its challenges but it is very imperative that parents guarantee that their children are nurtured to develop as healthy individuals. At times there are instances where daily life struggles interrupt the simple plans of providing the simple luxuries it takes to supply a child daily. We at SWAKlife are elated about embarking on this wonderful opportunity to help those families. SWAKlife empathizes with how hard it is just to make it on a daily basis and we are here to provide, encourage, inspire and help nurture that parent that is nurturing the development of their child. The vision of SWAKlife is to reach out to the single male, female, grandparent, guardian or sibling that may be responsible for raising a child alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please visit </span><a href="http://www.swaklife.org/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.swaklife.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> for more information<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2628944341398026896.post-27028478442718027952012-08-04T23:50:00.000-05:002012-08-04T23:50:01.812-05:00I am SWAKlife!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Single mom, 3 kids under the age of six, full time job where I travel, 2 "babydaddies"...bills HIGH, cash low, overwhelming stress, dating, faith, family, friends....most importantly my kids!! Want to know more about this life??!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">SWAKlife blog....coming soon! {Single With Amazing Kids!}</span>Funsizdmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09428844112420165231noreply@blogger.com0