Do This First

     The holidays are creeping right up and for many single mothers there is angst mixed with joy. One of the biggest angsts for many of us is buying gifts for our children. We want to give them, our precious children, everything their hearts desire.

    That being said, it is important to remember what really matters to children. Yes, all children young and old love opening presents and love surprises at the holidays. However, very rarely do the contents of those shiny boxes remain etched into a child's memory.

   Every mid November, as I begin to think about Christmas shopping, I ask my children this,"What do you remember about last Christmas?"

  Never, in all of my years being a single parent have they remembered specific gifts. They always remember what we did as a family. They remember the games we played Christmas Eve, the cookie decorating, and mostly the being together having fun.

  Oh Santa will come to my home and bring many wonderful surprises for all of us. Yet as I shop or when I wish I could buy them more, I remember it is the being together and having fun that matters the most to them.

  So before you go shopping Do This First. Ask yout children what they remember about last Christmas.

Blessings,
Virginia

I would be honored to guide you along your journey of single parenting. I offer coaching sessions in person, over the phone or via email. You can reach me at virginiamccormack05@gmail.com

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

This is one of my favorite pictures of my lovlings taken over ten years ago. While I am not the type of mother who wishes her children were any age other than the age they are right now (12, 15 & 17), looking back makes me proud.

When this picture was taken, the life as I knew it, the life that I had planned all of my life was about to change drastically. My marriage was ending and my new life as a single mom was just beginning. Seeing those smiling faces and seeing the smiling faces I see today reminds me of how far I have come.

Single parenting, while trying at times, is NOT the end of joy. It is the beginning of something wonderful and it is possible to accomplish. Don't ever let anyone, not even your monkey mind, tell you anything different.

Blessings,
Virginia