Things Are Done MY Way
You no longer have to worry about the cleaning being done to your standards. No more nagging about the garbage being taken out. No shoes by the doorway to trip over. You no longer have to pick up his dirty clothes off of the bathroom floor. Let’s be honest, it’s done best when you do yourself anyway.

What I Say Goes
As a single parent, you make the rules. No one is present to undermine your authority. What you say goes. You no longer have to back down from your decisions. Bedtime is at nine and that’s it! You still have to negotiate the big decisions with your Ex that affect your child such as where to enroll your child in school and should your child get braces this year. Yet, in your house, you are the boss and you set the standards.

It’s All Mine!!
Now that you are single parent, you have that large walk-in closet to yourself. You are master of the remote control. Every night you have that comfy recliner all to yourself. It’s now okay to hog the blankets and you can sleep in the middle of the bed for a soothing and stress-free night of sleep. No one is there to protest your beloved Labrador Bingo from keeping you company either. The only snoring is your own. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Time To Myself
How cool is it that every other weekend you have free to yourself? Take advantage of your newfound freedom. Read that bestseller you always meant to read but didn’t have the time because you were too busy being a wife and a mom. Catch up on the TV programs you missed out on because they weren’t suited for children. Take a yoga class or meet a friend for coffee. Go out on a date. On your weekends alone, it’s okay to be selfish and think only of you.

I Can Be Friends With My Ex
Now that you are single and your child custody matters are all figured out, your energy is no longer spent on duking it out with your Ex. This is not to say that you will never disagree with your former partner. What I’m saying is that now that you have cooled down, you are free to remember what it is that you once liked about your Ex. After all, you liked each other enough to have a child. He still has that great sense of humor and carefree personality that you once admired. This time, you’ll appreciate those qualities from a different perspective. It’s okay that you didn’t work as a couple but you can still get along as co-parents. In the end, your child will benefit from parents who get along.

Estimate Your Income

How can you budget if you don’t have a clue about what your annual income is ? Figure in child support to give you a better understanding of the amount of money you bring in annually. This is your starting base and will give you a better understanding of what you have to spend. Keep a notebook and keep track of your expenses so you can see what bills must be paid and what you have left over to spend on non-essentials.

What Do You Need?

Sure you may want the latest techno-gadgets. Sometimes it’s more convenient to make frozen dinners for supper and sure, we love anything with a name brand. Think seriously about what you really need rather than what you want. You’ll save money if you only buy out of necessity. That is not to say that you should never buy a product with a name brand. Just think smartly about how you spend your money. Is soda really necessary or is milk a better option? Is a generic brand really that bad of an option? Can I do without internet access? Isn’t basic cable enough to satisfy my tv viewing needs? These are the types of questions you need to keep in mind when prioritizing your needs from your wants.

Proclaim Your Single Parent Status

Use your single parent status to your advantage. If you are thinking about going back to school, there is a lot of aid specifically reserved for the single parent. Take advantage! Check your local government page. A single parent can get financial help for daycare and rent. Don’t be ashamed to use the plethora of resources available to you that can help you manage a difficult period where you often are at a disadvantage.

Save On Household Expenses

You can save money and energy by sealing your home windows and doors so both heat and cold air from air conditioners are not wasted. Pay for basic cable versus the premium package. If you don’t need internet service at home, save that service for work and the public library. Think of ways to cut down on your energy costs like never putting heat on higher than 74 degrees or not turning on air conditioning. The more you save on energy, the more money you’ll be able to put in the bank.

Take Advantage of Coupons and Discounts

Newspaper, magazines and the internet offer many discounts and coupons. Most people overlook these offers but they do save you money. Shop around for the best deals so you aren’t paying more when you don’t really need to be. Take advantage of parent resource centers and Tuesday Kids Eat Free Nights at the local Ponderosa when you are looking for some entertainment. Many communities have free and inexpensive forms of entertainment right at your finger tips. Utilize them. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time.

Save on Gas

If at all possible, use public transportation. Walk or ride a bicycle to the park and the library instead of a car. Gas is expensive. At last check, it was $3.59 a gallon. When buying a car, do your research. Find a vehicle that consumes less gas and requires less expensive spare parts. Fill up on regular gas rather than premium because it is often cheaper. When going to work or taking your kids to school, look into car pooling to help cut the amount you spend at the pump.

Check Out These!

http://singleparents.about.com/library/Calculator/bl_budget_calculator.htm

http://www.singlemotherresources.com/

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html

Parenting is about your child. Swallow your pride and focus on what’s really important: your daughter. Relationships come and go, but you are the only mother your daughter has. Be a mother first and try not to stress about what went wrong in your marriage. Being single is not easy. What your daughter really wants to know is that she is loved. She wants to know you are still there for her.

Keep Adult Business Between Adults

If you have a disagreement with your Ex, your child doesn’t need to know. Excuse yourself and talk outside or go to another room. Children are perceptive and they pick up on the tension between her parents. She doesn’t need to know the details of your current disagreement. Be civil with your Ex when you are in front of your children.

Communication Is Key

To keep the peace , keep the lines of communication open between you and your spouse. Don’t bottle your feelings. Be upfront. If you discuss your concerns, you are less likely to blow up in front of your child.

You Parent Your Way and I’ll Parent Mine

Keep your focus on how you parent and realize that your Ex is his own parent. I’m not saying you can’t discuss and come to an agreement about a consistent bedtime for your daughter. Keeping the same bedtime at dad’s and mom’s will reinforce a consistent routine for her. What I am saying is that you can’t control his every action and that’s okay. He loves your daughter too. His style of parenting is just different than yours.

Never Diss Your Ex in Front of Your Child

There is nothing worse than when a parent criticizes or puts down the Ex in front of her child. It’s important you keep those feelings to yourself or when you are having lunch with a trusted friend. To your child, that’s his blood. When you criticize his father, you are criticizing him.

Time to Pull Out Your Tent

As simple as it sounds, camping is a fun and inexpensive vacation option. The cost to stay in a state park is often less than many hotels. Pitch a tent and have fun! Go on a nature hike and swim in the lake. If you are brave, don’t forget the fishing poles and bait. Your kids will be thrilled with their first big catch of the day. Bring along your camera and take pictures of bugs, leaves, and anything quirky that catches your eye. Your children will get a kick out of reminiscing over the photos once back home.

At night, build a bon fire and roast marshmallows. Smores will be the Pièce de résistance of fun-filled day spent in the sun. Don’t forget to sing a round or two of those campfire songs you remember from your childhood. Sure they are hokey but your kids love them just like you did when you were a kid. Spend time under the stars and see who is the first to find the Big Dipper. I guarantee your kids will fall fast asleep once they are tucked into their sleeping bags and their heads hit their pillows.

What to Remember When Camping

Bring lots of sun block. Apply regularly, especially when going in and out of water

Don’t forget bug spray. Time spent in nature, depending on your location and temperature, means lots of mosquitos.

Bring a well-stocked first aid kit. Load up on lots of Band-Aids and Neosporin.

Pack extra batteries of different sizes for your camera, flashlight, and other equipment

Rain ponchos and extra clothes in case of a rain shower

Warmer clothes and extra blankets since it will be colder at night

A good stash of water bottled water

Vacation Sites For Single Parents

http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=555&category=21

http://www.singleparenttravel.net/

http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/familytraveltips/a/singleparentvac.htm

Take Care Of Yourself
You can’t be the best parent to your child if your needs aren’t met. This includes dating. Every single parent needs a social life that doesn’t include dirty diapers and wiping up Cheerios. There is no shame if you decide to go on a date. You’ll be happier and your child will be happy if you are happy.

The Decision Is Up To You
Only you know when you are ready to start dating. Don’t let friends and family pressure you into starting something you aren’t ready for emotionally. Dating can be fun but nobody wants to be around someone who’s heart is not committed to all that dating brings.

Talk With Your Kids
Be honest. Let your children know what’s going on. Assure them that they aren’t being replaced. They’ll understand that you need time to yourself. Explain to your kids that you are going out with a friend. You don’t know where your date will lead to so they don’t need to know anymore at the present moment. When you know more, you’ll inform your children more. After all, you are looking for an adult companion to join you for an afternoon of golf, not a daddy for little Tommy.

Go Slowly
Take your time when introducing your children to your new boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s not appropriate to introduce your child to a date you aren’t serious with. He’s not only dating you, eventually, he’s dating your child too. Allowing herto get too close your boyfriend, only to to break up a few months later will leave your child hurt and confused.

Listen to Your Children
It may be a big red flag if your child doesn’t like who you are dating. However, use good judgement. If your child doesn’t want you to date period, you know you have to spend more time easing him into this new change in your life. If your child doesn’t like your new girlfriend because she makes him feel uncomfortable, pay attention. Watch more closely the interaction between your girlfriend and your child. If something doesn’t jive, you’ll know if you’ll need to let go of that relationship.

Be a Parent First
As a single parent, you come with certain, unchangeable priorities. Let your new boyfriend know at the beginning that your children come first. Honor your committments. If it’s your weekend with children, spend it with them. Your new boyfriend will understand. If he doesn’t, he’s not a man and certaintly not the man for you!

Go For It
What’s the worse thing that can happen? Okay, plenty. That’s true for anyone. However, you’ll never know what can happen if you never give it a try.

Other Sites To Consider

http://www.singleparentmeet.com
http://singleparentsmatcher.com
http://www.singleparentmatch.com
http://www.singleparentsmingle.com

Mothers choose to be bottle feed because…

It’s convenient

It’s more adaptable to a mother’s work schedule

A father can bond with the baby too

It’s more comfortable

Their newborn had difficulty latching on to his mother’s breast

Many formulas are high in iron and other essential nutrients

Choose to breast feed because…

Breast milk is naturally fortified with nutrients and antioxidants

It’s inexpensive

Helps a mother bond with her baby

It requires no preparation or cleanup

A baby won’t over eat

Breast milk is easier to digest

Other Important Sites

http://www.nutrition.com.sg/he/heinfants.asp

http://good-food-guide.blogspot.com/2007/02/healthy-eating-for-babies-and-children.html

http://freshbaby.com/healthy_eating/breastfeeding.cfm#1

Important Organizations for Breasting Feeding

La Leche League

Internation Lactation Consultant Association

Human Milk Banking Association of North America

Signs of Potty Training Willingness

Interested in using the potty

Imitates parent using the toilet

Expresses need use the potty

Can pull pants down by himself

Irritated when in a wet diaper for too long

Expresses interest in big kid underwear

Quick Tips for Parents

Give child plenty of liquids to increase chances of going potty

Take child to the potty every 30 minutes to establish a routine; read a book while child is on the potty

Next time when you are watching TV or while you are doing the dishes, have your child sit near you in his potty chair to increase his tolerance to sitting on a potty chair

Don’t set a time frame when your child will be potty trained. It takes time to be toilet trained. Some children are trained quicker than others

Other Useful Sites

www.mayoclinic.com/health/potty-training/CC00060

http://www.babycenter.com/0_toilet-training-boys_4684.bc

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/toilet/179.html

Why do we vaccinate?

Vaccinations are a cost effective way to prevent infectious disease. Each child is administered a shot of antigenic material or vaccine so he/she can build up his immunity to the disease. Children are vaccinated to prevent diseases like mumps, rubella, small pox, measles, Hepatitis A, and polio.

Do Vaccines Work?

Vaccines do work. Millions of children have been protected from serious illness such as whooping cough and diphtheria because parents had their child immunized. Most childhood vaccines are 90% to 99% effective in preventing disease. When a child is not vaccinated, he has no protection against many deadly diseases. Some 50 years ago parents of children crippled by polio thought it a miracle when scientists created a polio vaccine. Now polio is unimaginable. It is true children are hurt by the pinprick of a needle when administering a vaccines. The positives outweigh the negatives when considering to vaccinate your child.

Vaccination Schedules

Are you looking for a daycare near home or work? Do you want your child to be exposed to a lot of children or do you prefer a smaller setting? Do you feel secure with a home-based setting or a center-based facility? It is best to make a list of exactly what your preferences are. This will help define your search.

Research, Research, Research

Ask around. Ask your pediatrician or other experts for recommendations. Check NAEYC and The National Association of Family and Child Care for accredited daycares. Go to your state’s Department of Health and Family Services to get a list of licensed daycares in your state.

Visit and Interview

A good daycare center will open their doors for a potential client. If a center is weary or cannot be bothered to show you around, then it’s a good sign to keep on looking. When visiting a daycare, check if it is clean. Do the children seem happy? How do the children and the staff interact? Look to see that the daycare provides a variety of toys and activities for their children. Ask to see their daily schedule. This will give you a glimpse of what your child will likely experience day by day.

Check References
Ask for a daycare’s references. If it is a quality daycare, they won’t mind. Check the Better Business Bureau to get a read on any prospective daycare. Be sure to call references. Ask specifically what he or she liked or didn’t like about the daycare.

Conduct A Trial Run

Take your child to visit the daycare. Your child is often the best test of judgment. If he likes the daycare, this is a good sign. This is a good time to see how your child interacts with staff. If he seems agitated or out of sorts, you will know it’s best to keep looking.