How many times do we feel like we’re doing it wrong because some stranger in the grocery store gives us a dirty look when our little one throws a tantrum?  How often do we let guilt settle in because can’t afford to get our teenager that iPad they’re begging for?  How often do we struggle with feelings of inadequacy because our kids have to come home to an empty house after school while we’re still hard at work?

It’s time to stop judging ourselves.  Just because we can’t provide the perfect life for our beloved children doesn’t mean we’re bad parents! 

If we’re honest with ourselves, most of these situations come from our perception of expectations on what a mom “should” be.  We SHOULD be able to control our children.  We SHOULD be able to provide our kids with the latest gadgets.  We SHOULD be available to our kids the minute they walk in the door.

But as the character Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City points out, “Isn’t it time we stop shoulding all over ourselves?” (more…)

Happy Valentine's Day to all the Strong Single Moms!!

I have NO idea why I was so ill-prepared for the inevitable Valentine’s “celebration” acts today, but I simply wasn’t ready.  I KNEW it was February 14th.  I SAW all the cards, balloons, flowers, and heart-shaped candy boxes in every store for the past several weeks.  I was even grocery shopping last night, watching men of all ages flock to the card aisle at the last minute to pick through the selection of overpriced cards with cheesy messages.  So how is it that I didn’t steel myself up for THE inevitable question today? (more…)

Photo by Josh Parrish

I was hoping for an over easy morning, but what I got was scrambled.  No, I’m not talking about eggs here.  I’m actually talking about the state of events that made this “Good Morning” turn bad…and fast!

“Okay, enough ranting.  It happened.  It’s done.  Now deal with it and move on.” (more…)

You open your eyes, look at the clock, and realize it is time to roll out of bed.  What is the first thought through your mind?  Are you excited to face another day, or are you wishing you could roll over and go back to sleep.  If the day ahead seems daunting, it’s time for a shift.

Shift your thoughts, shift your life.

As single moms, the daily actions that we face can seem overwhelming sometimes. (more…)

I recently read a post on Dan Pearce’s Single Dad Laughing blog. Part of being able to provide all the best to our Strong Single Moms is knowing what a GOOD Single Dad’s view point is, and this is just one of the many resources I use to do just that.

So when I read Dan’s blog post called Real Dads Don’t Leave, I was pretty intrigued. Mainly because this seems to be a hot topic among our Strong Single Moms lately.   (more…)

Why broken resolutions are a good thing

Here we are, less than two weeks into the new year.  How are you doing on those resolutions?

If you’re like most people, you’ve already broken at least one.  When you fail at your new resolve, there’s often a negative psychological effect that occurs.  You feel like you’ve failed, and now those big hopes for a “new you” are dashed.  Your mind lies to you and tells you, “Hey, you’ve failed. Better give up.  Go on, stop trying to change your life for the better.  Live the old way…it’s not what you want, but at least it’s comfortable.  Hey, there’s always next year, right?”

Sound familiar?  If it doesn’t, then feel free to stop reading!  (But you might want to bookmark this page to refer to later, in case you stumble and fall off the resolution bandwagon later on.)   (more…)

Strong Single Mom Member Irene with 5-year-old Bella

Irene Coleman, Strong Single Mom Member from Wheaton, IL is in the running to win a LOVEbug from local Chicagoland area dealership Fox Valley Volkswagon.  To win, she needs the support of our SSMN community!

Irene’s mom nominated her for the contest.  Read her entry and vote for Irene by visiting the contest page. (more…)

Come join us for a fun night of Martinis and More, and support the Strong Single Mom Network at the same time!

We’ve partnered with Ebony Monroe, a Pampered Chef Consultant, as well as Dani Frappiea, owner of Dinners By Dani. Both are brand new Supportive Business Partners of the Strong Single Mom Network!  Help me welcome them in person at this fabulous event!

Click here for details!

Click here for a Powerful Message to Single Mothers on Father’s Day

All Strong Single Moms play the role of both mother AND father, and as such deserve to be celebrated as well. As a gift, I’d like to share this amazing video with you. These are two powerful and successful men (Les Brown and Paul Martinelli) who are agents of change in our world today. They were both raised by single moms, and the message they share with us on this video is powerful. (more…)