Ah-Choo...Be Careful, Not Crazy

As you well know, the Swine Flu is raising a great deal of concern in the news. I’m glad information about it is surfacing so that I can protect myself and my family. It is good to be educated and knowledgeable. However, the media is teetering on the line between educating us and scaring us to the point of manic distraction. Aside from the flu, a lot of folks in my social circle are enduring colds and allergies. In fact, as I pen this blog entry, I am in bed with a nasty case of bronchitis. My soupy cough is the result of a lingering sinus infection. Go figure. Anyhoo, I went to the doc a few days ago where I was diagnosed, treated and at peace with my path to wellness…that is until I began watching television today.

A self-proclaimed news junkie, I am spending my “sick in bed” time watching the twenty-four hour news networks. I love the developing political stories and pundits spouting their opinions. But surprisingly, politics is not as much in the news as the Swine Flu! It’s shocking that almost every news station is discussing the flu in one form or another. Each segment, each interview gets scarier and more alarming that the first. Slowly my peace of mind [about my own cough] begins to dwindle. “Do I have it?” Thankfully, sanity prevails over panic and I remember that I simply have is a sinus infection and a little bronchitis. That’s it! No need for a masks or quarantine just yet!

As you know, when it comes to the press, you’ve got to take the meat and leave the bones. If not careful, you can easily become paranoid after hearing stories of economic troubles, murders and yes, flu outbreaks. In this latest case of the Bird Flu…I mean the Swine Flu… professionals advise to basically wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when coughing and stay home if when sick with fevers, sore throats and coughs. Oh yeah, the president says to wash your hands after you shake. That wouldn’t go over so well in my world, but good advice.

For more information, check out CNN’s FAQ at http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/27/cnn-answers-your-faqs-on-swine-flu/

Saving Some Doe!

Now days, everyone is shopping for a bargain – especially many single moms in need of stretching each dollar to it’s fullest potential. I have always admired those women that know exactly when to shop and how to get a bargain even during the toughest economic times. I’ve asked around and here’s what some of the consumer geniuses told me.

Get ready to shop for your winter items.
Because we are somewhat “in-between” seasons, all of the winter items are not as low as they will be in about a month or so. So, start watching the clearance racks now for items you will likely need come October and November (coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, etc.). Also, buy a size or two up for your kid’s winter clothes. That way you are sure to have items that will fit them when Jack Frost arrives. Great article: http://www.finweb.com/financial-planning/shopping-for-clothes-in-the-off-season.html

Food Items
This just depends. You have to watch the advertisement flyers so that you may compare. If you’re in Kansas City, Apple Market doubles your coupons – look for other stores that do likewise. Also, many swear by shopping on Wednesdays when the sales are fresh and items are just displayed. For more food shopping tips for healthy items, check out http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/grocery_shopping.html

Coupon Craze
I have never been the best at collecting coupons. I just never knew how to organize them without buy another “something” for my already cluttered life. However, I really love the concept of digital or online coupons. You can search for them when you need them and print them right from your computer. SmartMoney.Com makes some recommendations of the best online coupon sites. View them here: http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/5-best-coupon-clipping-web-sites-23634/

Check out the CBS segment about online coupons!

Watch CBS Videos Online

Single Moms in the News

I’m tired.

I really am. I have been working feverishly to promote the single mom support network throughout Kansas City so that more moms can take advantage of resources available. Thankfully, I have great help in my talented niece Tasia Brooks and one of the smartest women I know – Cheryle Woods. I also appreciate the help of all of the volunteers in Kansas City. There is still so much work involved in creating the support infrastructure that is needed and I won’t stop until we’re well on our way.

Supporting single moms and their journey toward raising healthy young people has been a personal passion of mine for many years. I have spent most of my adult life as a single mother and know first-hand the challenges associated with raising kids, working full-time, continuing education and yes – having a boyfriend or two along the way. It’s tough.

That’s why Sisters Helping Sisters is necessary. Old news– it’s my part of my destiny to create this network. Nothing new, nothing shocking about that.

However, what I do find shocking is the new spotlight on single mothers lately. Surely much of the attention is due to the recent study by the National Center for Health Statistics Report on Childbirth, but I think much more is at play. Single mothers have been on society’s sidelines for many years. Moral beliefs aside, society has never really known where to place women responsible for raising children alone. For years people thought that single mothers looked a certain way and lived in certain zip codes. Not so. Likewise, many have just stuffed single mothers into a society imposed box labeled: “poor”, “welfare recipient”, “wanton”, “loose” and worse! But this new attention on the plight and experiences of single moms is showing the many faces of women raising children alone. That I find refreshing!

For all of those emails accusing me of not esteeming marriage highly enough, I say a loud and resounding “Whatever!” I believe that a healthy two-parent family is an ideal setting for child-rearing (notice I said “healthy”). That’s why I remarried, it enriched my (and my son’s) life. However, I do not and will never believe that a single woman cannot raise healthy, well-adjusted children on her own. That’s all there is to it.

So it is time to get over how women become single moms and start uniting as a community to provide resources, tools for success and assistance to those who are raising tomorrow’s citizens.


What do you think?