Solo Mother

I had all this great stuff I was going to expound and rale and pontificate upon this evening, but it was all derailed by a lovely little song a dear lady sent me this weekend to help me kick my blues.
I’ve only now got around to watching it, which might give you an idea of what my week has been like so far.
I want to show this to my son, to my friends, to all of you…

This, then, is Pete Murray. The song is Opportunity. Watch it twice. “Don’t be scared of what you cannot see. Your only …read more

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I guess J. K. Rowling will forgive me for not supporting her, right? She can’t have forgotten what it was like for her as a single mother. I am so in awe of her. Some day, I would like to hear some voice so loud and clear in my own heart that I can write a whole novel of it. Seven! Imagine it. Seven huge novels full of children so beloved by so many that the Monday after the final book came out, fully half the sentient humans on the train to work were reading it.
What a sight that …read more

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What is it with dating? According to the online dating sites, we’re all healthy, happy, well adjusted men and women who love our jobs, travel the world, save small animals from extinction and take out the trash faithfully on Tuesdays. We’re good listeners, great cuddlers, and play nicely with others.
If we’re all so damned fantastic, why are we all single?

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There’s been a lot of thinking going on chez SoloMother this weekend. I’ve let my own needs take third place to son and work, and there has to be a better balance. Beginning Tuesday, I take charge of myself. I think I’m good and disgusted. Time to change.

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The landlord finally fixed the ceiling fans in the house.
I’m in heaven.
There’s one in almost every room of the house, and I haven’t turned the AC down past 80 degrees F. in a week. At night, I even have to use a cover.
I can’t wait to see what my electric bill is going to be. I bet there’s a significant drop.
Remember, the sun brings heat as well as light. Hang heavy curtains, or blackout curtains, on your windows and draw them during the day, especially when you’re not home. This will save your poor AC unit from fighting the …read more

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The mind boggles.
I’ve lost my anchor. The King of Everything is on a grand adventure with his grammy to Richmond and points south. He doesn’t want to talk to me when I call, he’s so busy playing with his cousins and going to the petting zoo, the water park, the science museum. My mother is enjoying this time, too, surrounded by her nieces and their little ones. No one misses me.

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Parents Magazine has a great article on how to make single parenting work. And it’s nice to know I’ve been on the right track all along. In Six Strategies for Single Moms, author Laura Broadwell maps out some great advice on how to make single mothering work.
In a nutshell:

Assemble a support team
Ask for help
Readjust your priorities
Say goodbye to guilt
Nurture yourself and set goals for yourself
Make peace with the past

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My trash can. I heart it.

Simple Human makes amazing products for everyday life. I haven’t bought a box of trash bags in months. This little beauty is a wonder of design on so many levels.

It fits under my sink.
It is just the right size for grocery bags.
There are these convenient little hooks to secure the handles so the bag doesn’t slip
The little caddy beneath the rack holds up to 50 grocery bags
The caddy has a no spill groove to catch any accidental leaks

What does this have to do with being a single mother? Well, I live …read more

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I’m burned out. I’m burned out at work, I’m uninteresting here at SoloMother. I’m just wading through the mire, trying to get through these difficult learning times to solid ground. If you’re just joining us here, if you’re newly single, newly mothered, or considering the alternative to an unhappy marriage, take heart. It’s difficult. It’s not easy. But there are moments in each day that make the struggle all worth it, whether it’s a crass fart joke from your eight year old or an unexpected kiss from your teenager… if you make your choices for the best possible reasons, you’ll …read more

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I bought the prettiest dress this afternoon. It fits perfectly.
At least, I think it does. I’m not entirely certain, because it zips up the back, and for some reason, I couldn’t manage the zipper. Which means, when I want to wear the dress, I’m going to have to run over to my neighbor’s house and ask her to zip me.
sigh.
I have also developed an inexplicable crush on platform heels. Yes. Me, with my momma feets and body. Go figure.
So all you solomothers out there, all you single moms and mommies, please take my advice: buy dresses that …read more

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