The truth is I feel like a single parent most of the time...I just do.

My husband works six days a week 6.30 am-5pm, then he goes bowling on the seventh day for four hours. His time with us as a family is limited. He is working hard provide for our family. When he is plugged in he does a great job. When he is around he is a hands on Dad and tries his very best. He steps in and gives me a break whenever he possibly can.

I'm the one who takes Livi to therapy, to medical appointments,and to school. I’m the one to make sure she gets... more

I always thought being a mom would come natural to me, that it would just flow. I had chosen a career centered on children and I always gravitated to children and them to me. I considered myself a nurturing and sensitive woman ready to raise and love a child of my own. I remember my home visiting days, seeing first hand how motherhood came so easily to some and while others seemed to struggle. It was never something you could gauge beforehand, those that you would think would be naturally great sometimes struggled and at times I would... more

Transitioning from working to staying at home was a big adjustment for me. I assumed it would be an easy transition for me since it’s been a dream and goal of mine to be a stay at home Mom for the longest time. Not so, I really had a difficult time with it. I missed working at first. I missed the interaction with other adults, I missed being in charge, I missed earning my own money, and I missed getting praise for a job well done. It’s almost as if you have to reinvent yourself. So much of my identity was wrapped up in my career. Nothing... more

Why is it that some women feel the need to size each other up? I have worked with mostly women my whole life. I’m not surprised to see women get competitive with each other in the workplace; I’m guilty of it. I’m the youngest of three girls and my sisters and I have had and still have our moments. My sis made a parenting related comment that hurt my feelings and things have been weird since. I’m hoping we can get past it.

What surprises me are the little ways that Mom’s get competitive with one another over our children. It happens between working and stay... more

We know better these days, but when I was growing up I feared my parents & grandparents. They intimidated me, that is just what parents did then. They parented through intimidation tactics such as “ just wait until your father gets home” or “ your going to get it” or the threat of “ don’t even think about it”. My favorite “You’re cruising for a bruising” was a phrase often said in our house. The fear of disappointing them, the fear of consequences, the fear of punishment, the fear of wrath… fear was a part of the package growing up.... more

What do you do when you’re not the kind of Mom you hoped you would be? I always wanted to be Super Mom and Im not.That is a hard fact to face and for me has been a big adjustment. I had a bunch of preconceived notions of how great of a Mom I would be. Then you put your skills to work and learn it’s a different world. I have had to face cold hard reality and relearn a few things. I have learned so much about myself in these past nine months. For instance I never thought I would be prone to yelling. If you knew me personally you would know how out... more

I was wondering last night before I fell asleep what it means to be a Good Mom…. I know what it means to me and how I define it but I wondered if other Mom’s put them selves through the wringer like I do. I guess its human nature and we are just wired to feel guilty. I for one say we take a stand to have Guilt free parenting month. I will feel guilty if I don’t read my daughter all of her books during our bedtime ritual. Some nights Im beat and I don’t have it in me to read Good night gorilla. I feel guilty if I dont give her enough vegetables. I feel... more

I’m a stay at home Mom. My husband works very hard six days a week so that I can stay home. I’m the one that meets most of our daughters needs. Who am I kidding, I meet all of her needs.Besides my work out nights I’m the one the feeds her, dresses her, bathes her, plays with her, and reads to her. You get the idea. I’m her main caregiver. Recently on a family outing my husband became angry as I was being bossy and not letting him be a parent. He was right. His concerns are valid and he had every right to be upset. I have a very hard... more

I’m not one of those Women who manages to have both herself and her child looking put together. My daughter is always clean and dressed very cute. Im another story all together.Since becoming a Mom I have let myself go- big time. I’m hoping that this will improve once my girl becomes more self-sufficient. Please tell me that it will improve.

Now I’m sporting the whole toddler Mom look… I’m sure its coming in style again soon. Here is my Top Ten ways to spot a Toddler Mom. I have seen a few Mom’s that seem to be able to look fashionable,... more

I recently read a comment on Dr.G's post that made me scratch my head and question am I selfish for being an older parent? Someone had left a comment and made a general stereotype about older parents. While there can be a down side to being an older Mom, I believe that there is an upside as well. I’m not that old… not by today’s standards. I’m not one who held off having children for other ambitions. It just turns out that I was meant... more