Solo Mother

It was a beautiful, mild day yesterday and the King of Everything and I strolled over to our local park, confident that his new soccer ball could lure a new playmate. We scouted out the two play areas for suitable kids, and chose the one that had the biggest, runningest kids on the playground.
It was a great choice because not only did we find a kid who was up for play, but we knew him! And what’s more, we liked him! He was thrilled to see us, too, and we chatted happily about Christmas, and soccer balls, and runny noses …read more

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I had a friend, a friend who was a boy, when I was a little girl. We were inseparable for years, and I adored him. He left halfway through elementary school, and I didn’t hear from him any more.
I went to an all-girls’ high school, and some friends convinced me to go to a dance at a boys’ school — we had to spend the night there and everything. It was weird. There was this black haired, blue eyed boy who kept looking at me and I thought, “Wow, he’s handsome! Why’s he checking me out?” and suddenly, he came …read more

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I have no idea why, but this song makes me smile every time I listen to it…

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I never. Ever. Thought I’d be a single mother.
Yet, here I am.
I’ve got it good. I’ve got some money saved. I’ve got a real career, despite never having finished college and having been a stay at home mother for over three years. My kid is amazing, and I think that even the separation was, if not good for him, then certainly not bad for him. I’m on speaking terms with my ex and his family. My parents are amazing, and are as involved with my son’s life as I am, and they make such a positive difference in his life. …read more

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One of my favorite solomothers–a beautiful singer, a witty writer, a juggler of schedules and budgets and boo-boos and life–is no longer quite so single. Her beau proposed on Christmas day, and she said yes. Her ring is a beautiful blue stone, a topaz? Surrounded with little diamonds, it sparkles like the sky. Truly a unique engagement ring.
Another friend who is going through the divorce process (she’s a single mother again, but to a grown daughter) recently wrote a beautiful piece on the diamonds that have come and gone in her life. She, like me, is a bit of a …read more

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Christmas is almost done, but for the memories and the lasting wish for kindness and understanding, real understanding, to descend upon this crazy world. I could begin from the biggest to the smallest of us, or vice versa: warring nations, blood spilled when we should all try to turn the other cheek… cruel words exchanged between loved ones, or those who used to love, when we could simply bite our tongues.
This is what I think about, now at the end of the year. Personally, I resolve to find more patience with my son, my polar opposite and heart’s delight. We …read more

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There was this insane mess that somehow needed to be cleaned up, and presents that needed to be assembled, and the KoE’s overseas grandparents’ presents to wrap and assemble and such.

And it’s 10PM. And we just got home from my parents’ house, where I spent an insanely fun, insanely insane hour or two beginning to assemble Lego Mars Mission.
This has been such a lovely Christmas eve. I hope, whatever you are doing this night, that you are well. and loved. and well loved.

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I’ve been reading the mother blogs out there, and it’s funny to read so many women matter-of-fact-ly mentioning that underwear and socks are going to be under the tree for their kids. Hey. Money’s tight. Have you checked out the price of underwear and socks lately?
Holy moley. That’s some expensive frilly bits. Even when there aren’t any frilly bits on them.
I’ve been existing on less than adequate supplies for myself for years, now. Even with a salary that allows me to make ends meet, I’m still scrimping and saving. I’m still denying myself the basics to be sure my …read more

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Golly, but I feel so much better.
I got together with the most amazing, stunning, smart, funny, beautiful, competent group of single moms this evening. Some of us were old hands at this single thing, some were just dealing with the first steps of single motherhood. Some had found their way through adoption, some through divorce, some through passionate affairs. We shared our stories, we laughed, we sympathized, we even had a little bit of good advice for them what wanted it.
Ladies, if you haven’t found a tribe, in this day and age, there’s no excuse. Find a family group …read more

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We’re making cookies. A lot of cookies. Can you tell I’m a little brain-damaged?
Cooking with your kids is a great way to get some quality time. Ever since my kid was old enough to drag a stool over to the counter, he’s been my sous-chef. “We COOKS! mama!” he’d crow as he stirred and patted. His speciality was toast — you should have seen the way he pushed down the button on that toaster. A real pro. Now that he’s older, we have ventured into more dangerous realms. Cracking eggs. Mixing batter. Measuring flour. He still loves it.
Our cookies need …read more

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