I got cell phones for my kids. I was skeptical, but it has turned out to be a good thing. I heard for a long time how “everyone has them”, but it didn’t phase me. Why on earth do kids need phones? The truth is—very few of us need cell phones, but they sure are darn convenient. And I have found out as a single parent, that they can be comforting too. It’s so nice to know that they can call and talk to you whenever they want. Well, except for in school.

In some respects, new technology makes kids more accountable. They have to keep up with the phone itself, and make sure they aren’t going over their minute limits. And they can let you know where they are—no more of the excuse of not being able to get to a phone. That worked quite nicely in my day--- but if their phone is dead, someone else in the group definitely has a phone! I’m not real sure how I feel about the whole GPS thing with phones. I guess it is one more concept I’ll have to get used to, but I’m glad I finally came around to getting a phone for the kids.

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I don’t know about anyone else, but I think the term 'single parenting' doesn’t exactly describe the experience. I really have to depend on a lot of people to get the job done, as does my kids’ dad. I’ve always had people that have been there for me, sisters, carpool moms, friends. We all teamed together to help keep things running smoothly. And it is still that way. People are always offering to help out and I try to reciprocate.

Maybe everyone does not have this luxury. Having family in town is such a blessing, and the friends I have are very giving. How would you do it on your own? Having that “village” to call on keeps me sane.

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Holidays are a funny thing—a whole mixed bag of emotions. I remember back in my days of working with the public as a flight attendant, that the “joy” of the holidays rarely surfaced in holiday travel. The stress of trying to get all that stuff packed, the excitement/dread of going to visit family, the not always perfect timing of commercial travel due to weather or aircraft malfunctions--- people could be downright nasty! As a single woman with few responsibilities I wasn’t able to empathize much. It was hard not to let their bad moods rub off on me. You certainly don’t want to add a crabby flight attendant into the mix!

I find myself going into this holiday season with a lot of anxiousness and a little just wanting it to be over. Now I see what the stresses are. Thank goodness we are not traveling! My first Christmas as a single mom puts me into unknown territory. I got the whole decorating, present buying and wrapping, scheduling activities and time with family down. That was always part of my job description as a mom. My biggest worry is not projecting my anxiousness onto my kids. Are they freaking out because things are different? Or are they hardly noticing because they are thinking about friends, school, presents, and parties? Do I ask them how the changes feel to them, or wait for them to talk? I want my kids to have happy holiday memories, will that be possible this year? How do I turn my brain off?! Any thoughts?

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I am brand spanking new to the world of single parenting. I’ve been separated 2 months, finding myself in a place I never imagined I would be. I have 2 children – a boy-- 13, and a girl—11. I will state from the outset that I know I am fortunate in that their dad is very involved, and we have committed to co-parenting and meeting their needs as best as we can in the situation.

As for single parenting at the moment--- I feel like I’m navigating some choppy waters. The hormones are kicking in for both of them, so I don’t know what is normal and what is not! Is the occasional moodiness and surliness due to the separation and parental strife, or is it hormones? Does my feeling guilty play into the mix? As a mom, I’ve always been more flexible and cognizant of what factors are playing into their behaviors. Are they tired, stressed from homework, unhappy with their social life? As they get older, they are not such open books, and it is harder to pinpoint. My stance now is to stay the course. Certain behaviors are not acceptable no matter what the circumstances. Information about what is going on in their world is so important now, so I attend school meetings, go on websites, and read what their peer group is experiencing. There is a lot of facts I don’t like, but I need to know what they facing in the world.

I know I am not alone in the single parenting realm, and that many people have much wisdom through experience. My question today is: what is the correlation between the height of a son and pushing mom’s buttons? Now that he is taller than me, my sweet firstborn is always pushing! Any tips or advice are welcome!

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