Study: Kids Raised by Single Moms do as Well as Kids Raised by Two Parents

A study that was published by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that children of single mothers are no more likely to suffer later in life than kids raised by a mother and a father “in terms of parent-child relationship or child development.” Researchers from the University of Amsterdam looked at 69 “single-mothers-by-choice.” By that, they meant women who knowingly chose to raise their child alone. The researchers also looked at 59 mothers from heterosexual two-parent families. All of the parents in the study had children between the ages of 1.5 years of age and 6 years … Continue reading

Do You Want To Yell Less and Love More?

The past three days have been very peaceful around here. Not quite, mind you, but peaceful nonetheless. I think that I know why, too. You see, a few days ago, I came across a wonderful blog called The Orange Rhino Challenge. The blog is a chronicle of one mom’s commitment to “Yell less, love more”. Once I read about how not yelling has made a huge difference for both The Orange Rhino and her family, I decided that I, too, want to stop yelling at my kids. I do my best not to yell, but it happens. I have yet … Continue reading

Kids Have Love Languages Too

I was lucky enough to be blessed with a child who has the same love language I do. We both value quality time above all else. While we both show each other love in multiple ways, nothing says, “I love you” more than spending time together. As a busy single parent there isn’t always a lot of time to sit down just the two of us and play, but I have found that when I make time for the little things, not only does our relationship grow stronger, but he also behaves better as well. When my son feels important … Continue reading

Baby Loves

I am a very lovey dovey kind of Mom. I hug and kiss on my kids (especially when they’re babies) all the time! So, one of my favorite things is when they start to “give loves” back to you. It is the best. Well, I first noticed my baby giving loves to a stuffed animal the other day when my niece was visiting. She gave him a stuffed animal, and he put it up next to his face and snuggled it between his head and his shoulder. It was adorable. One of the best feelings is when they can wrap … Continue reading

Introducing Animalle Mundo: A Doggie Love Hotel

Christmas might be a holiday for familial, not romantic, love, but with this notice you might have the time to start planning so your pet can have its romantic getaway.  That’s right, a romantic getaway for your pet.  If you’re trying to breed your dog and you want to do it in style, consider Animalle Mundo Pet.  It’s a hotel in Brazil, one that keeps in tradition with the country’s ritzy amorous motels.  The New York Times reports. You can find short-stay hotels all over the world, but Brazil is a leader in both having them, and in making them … Continue reading

Parenting When You Just Don’t Feel Well

I got very little sleep last night, and the sleep that I did get was less than restful. My little Logan had a rough night. He was restless and woke up in tears. I’m still not sure exactly what was bothering him, but he clearly wasn’t feeling very well. I tended to him throughout the night, but his restlessness in turn became my restlessness which made for a bit of a long night in the Mommy department. I woke up exhausted with the beginnings of a migraine and knew that it was going to be a very long day. I … Continue reading

Love Your Kids More Than You Hate Your Ex

My baby brother is leaving on an LDS mission to Paris, France tomorrow afternoon. This is a bittersweet time for everyone, as we won’t see him for the next two years, but no one will experience these feelings quite as deeply as his parents, well at least one of them. When Bryan opened his mission call five months ago his father refused to be there. Not because of Bryan, but because the event would take place at Bryan’s mother’s home where he has spent the majority of his childhood years growing up. Though I’m not sure Bryan would admit this, … Continue reading

Deals at Olive Garden, Powell’s Books, Michael’s, and More!

Today, I decided to clean out my inbox and let everyone know about the sales that I had been sent email about. As always, this results in a mixed bag of deals from a variety of places. This time I found sales on books, deals on craft items, and an unusual freebie from Olive Garden. Olive Garden has a rather unusual deal going on right now. It is called “Go Out Today and Stay in Tomorrow”. To get this deal, the first thing you need to do is go to Olive Garden, and order a dinner meal. The dinner will … Continue reading

Mia Love Wants to Eliminate the Department of Education

Mia Love is a Republican in Utah who is running for Congress. She wants to eliminate the Department of Education and the funding that states receive from IDEA. Her opponent, Democrat Jim Matheson points out that doing so would decimate Special Education. Jim Matheson and Mia Love are candidates from Utah who are running for Congress. Whichever one of them wins the election will have the ability to make an impact upon not only their state but the entire nation. Parents who have children that have special needs, or who are enrolled in Special Education, should pay close attention to … Continue reading

A Business Opportunity For The Craft Lover

If you love all things crafty, you may be wondering whether there is a home – based direct sales business opportunity out there that does not involve candles, makeup, or cookware. An opportunity that is more your style, something fun and creative that has to do with crafting, perhaps. The good news is that there is just such a business opportunity, and it’s called Stampin’ Up!. Stampin’ Up! is a thriving business built around rubber stamps. Their vast array of exclusive stamp designs are offered for sale along with stamping and scrapbooking supplies and accessories. Individuals who sell Stampin’ Up! … Continue reading