My ex and I have very different parenting styles--I am the disciplinarian and want them to be respectful, honest, polite, etc.. while he has the "whatever is easiest" approach to discipline. He lets them do whatever they want and is a pretty poor role model (although he does love them).

The problem I have is the way my kids act after spending time with their dad.  They are often disrespectful and rude to me and to their grandmother.  I'm always hearing "Dad let us do that!" or "Dad doesn't make us do that!" when they don't get their way. 

It's very frustrating because I've missed them and want to have fun with them.  Instead, I find myself having to deal with numerous issues and often have to punish them because of their bad behavior.

I am a mom of 2 boys, teens.  I've raised them alone for 12 years and I see them as well-adjusted. Their dad remarried soon after the divorce but has now divorced. He fathered another child in that marriage.  Now he's trying to become involved and is interferring with the concepts and foundation I have set.  By the way, I was awarded sole-custody.  He's competing with me and playing "Disneyland Dad".  Although it was difficult raising them alone, I prefer it to him being involved as it seems he's "undoing" what I've done.  They're great kids and everyone pays me compliments confirming that.

How do I compete and how can I get him to butt out at least a little

Although the divorce rate in our country is high, we happen to live in a community where hardly anyone is divorced.  All of my closest friends and neighbors are married.  Also, all of my children's friends have parents that are married. 

It's been a big adjustment for each of us especially when we are out at the ball park, school and church functions.  Although I've come to terms with the loss of my marriage, I'm having a difficult time dealing with the change in our family dynamic.  My kids especially seem to struggle with this change.

I grew up in a divorced family and remember just how hard it was  feeling different and wishing I could have a family life like my friends had.  I've continued to reassure my kids that we are a family no matter what and that they are very loved.  I just feel at a loss for knowing what else to do or say.  Does anyone else feel like this or have any suggestions? 

Now that I'm a single working mom, I finally understand the challenges and sacrifices my mom made as a single parent raising me.  I did not realize how easy I'd had it the last several years working part-time and being able to stay at home with my kids.  But, after an unexpected divorce and having to return to full-time work, it's been a challenge to say the least. 

I've let many things go (the house, volunteering like I used to, time for myself, etc.) but I can barely manage time with the kids, laundry, running errands, returning calls, getting the kids from point A to point B, and more... 

Does anyone have any advice or ideas to help turn this overwhelmed mom into the once-organized mom I used to be?

One of the greatest challenges I'm finding as a single mom of two kids is when one of them gets sick.  I had to do quite a juggling act when my daughter got strep and I could not take time off from work.  Once she was feeling better and not contagious, I did end up having to take her to the office with me. 

I really felt overwhelmed and conflicted because I wanted to be with my daughter but also need to keep my job because I need the income for my family.  Does anyone else feel this way or have any creative ideas or advice for handling this issue?