Poop Happens— And Then We Find the Beauty

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down." 
—Mary Pickford

My first serious relationship after my divorce, I fell in love with someone who decided to leave the state, er….run away from his life (okay this is my editorial comment). In the process of mourning the end of that relationship, I went through a difficult period, as one would imagine. The mourning of a relationship’s end is never easy, unless you have no feelings for the person.

Just Breathe

Leaving work late tonight (around 7:30 pm), I called my teen daughter to let her know. The huff and tone in her voice told me she was displeased that I left later than I initially planned.

Trial of the Century— What we Can Do

When I was young I had a cat that gave birth to a litter of eight kittens. I remember removing one of her kittens and walking away into the next room. This mama cat meowed non-stop calling out for her baby. She instantly knew when she was plucked out of her litter, and came to search for her one that had disappeared. She didn’t give up until I released the kitten to her. Mama cat then grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and carried her back to her litter.

Image Source: http://flic.kr/p/9i62Rh

© All rights reserved by lawyer33301

This relentless protective behavior is what we typically come to expect of mothers. Anything less is uncharacteristic of a mother’s love. 

Dreams of Distant Travels

Kristina from A Perfect Dose of Life, generously asked me to contribute a post which she has published today, July 9th. Please drop in to read "Dreams of Distant Travels," and to visit her site. (My title is missing, but it was to read as noted above) I met Kristina through her blog and have noticed that she has a special way about her. She is always encouraging and supportive to bloggers. Her blog reflects moments in her life, as varied as meals she cooks for her husband (including recipes), to quiet observations. Thank you Kristina for your support and kindness!

Fresh Air Fund—A Life Changing Opportunity

Image Source: The Fresh Air Fund

I don’t typically do posts like this, but after hearing that one of NYC’s oldest non-profit organizations, the Fresh Air Fund, is in need of 1200 volunteer host families this summer, I thought I’d provide you some information in the event you or someone you know would like to participate. If you choose to, please let me know how the experience worked for you and your family, and the child. It would be great to share.

Dating Service- Through the Eyes of a Child and Single Mom, Part 2

“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.” —Plato

Image Source: http://flic.kr/p/9srnvp

© All rights reserved by Passive Income Dream.com

The dating service arranged a meeting for me after work, on a Friday my daughter was to be with her dad. That morning, as I was in my closet, my daughter asked, “Do you know what you’re going to wear?”

"No." 

“What kind of a look are you going for? Are you going for the sexy look?”

Where does she get this stuff? I don’t use the word “sexy” with my child, but there are multiple sources in a child’s life where they can pick up all sorts of language and ideas.

We stood in my closet as she pointed and selected various items, trying to match them for me. Eventually we made a combined selection—Of course I had veto power.

Dating Service- Through the Eyes of a Child and Single Mom, Part 1

“To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself.” —Josh Billings
  

During the timeframe when I was trying out the dating service that I wrote about in Stint With Dating Service, my daughter was 11 years old.  I decided to use a couple of my dates as an opportunity to demonstrate what healthy dating is, with boundaries and awareness.

Image Source: http://flic.kr/p/9srpvP

© All rights reserved by Passive Income Dream.com

First, let me say that my rule is that I only date when she is away visiting her father. I don’t get a baby sitter just for me to go out on a date.  I want to minimize disruptions of her routine and I don’t want to introduce feelings of insecurity— where she feels second to a stranger in my life. She needs to always know she is first. Additionally, since most of these first dates never turn into second, had I taken precious time away from my daughter, I would have regretted it. I don’t want to date at her expense, or even at the expense of me missing out on precious moments with her.