5 Tips for moms to de-clutter your world

5 Tips for moms to de-clutter your world

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Recall Alert: Children and Infants Tylenol

Recall Alert: Children and Infants Tylenol

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Is too much homework stressing your kids?

Is too much homework stressing your kids?

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Dating Single Moms: Tips for Guys

Tips for Dating Single Moms

Sisters Helping Sisters.Org doesn’t get a lot of daddy visitors to the website, but from time to time we hear from a few. As a result, I thought it would be a good idea to feature some information men might find useful and info that would help single moms at the same time.

Dating as a single mother is one of the trickiest elements of raising kids on your own. There are no cookie-cutter approaches to the subject, but these tips might make the process easier for everyone involved. Guys will find these ideas particularly useful should they date a single mother. Go ahead and forward this to your male friends and family members! These tips might include some information difficult to say, but they need to hear.

Tip 1: Respect the multiple roles and facets of the single mother. The single mom you date may enjoy nice evenings on the town as she is able, but know that it took some planning and arranging for you to enjoy that time with her. Single moms can rarely spontaneously jump up and go on a date at a moment’s notice. She must put a lot of “ducks’ in a row to make that special moment. So respect her time, value her boundaries and make the evening extraordinary.

Tip 2: Don’t mislead her. Clearly, single moms are women, but they are also someone’s mother. Treat her with respect. If you’re not interested in a possible commitment or marriage, then you must tell her so she will know how to treat and interact with you. She doesn’t have time for games or weak wishy-washy men. So, initiate the conversation about your intentions and find out hers. If you guys define the relationship it lessens the possibility of misunderstandings that will distract or hurt her later.

By the same token, don’t assume that she is looking for an instant husband –just because she has kids. She may not view you or need you that way.

Tip 3: Children are fragile little beings. Be careful about meeting her kids. The last thing kids need is a string of men in and out of their lives. Unless you are interested in being a stable part of their lives, there’s little reason for you to meet them.

Tip 4: A single mother doesn’t need booty calls. In my experience as a single mom, sex before marriage only clouded and muddied relationships. My faith empowered me to make good decisions about my body so I didn’t continually fall into situations that inhibited my ability to parent well.

If you are dating a single mom and you love her; then wait for her. If you love her enough to be physical then step up like a real man: wait for sex and then progress toward a real commitment that involves a preacher and a ring.

Back to the Moms. Men of integrity are a blessing and they still exist! I can attest to that. However, he did not come overnight. I went though a string of nutmos. But the good ones are out there, ladies.

Single moms, set emotional boundaries to protect you and your children. It’s also time for men to exhibit integrity and conduct themselves sensibly and reasonably in dating relationships. The number one benefactors will be the children.

Lose that Belly Fat, Mom!

For many moms, the tummy area seems to have a fat-attracting magnet! Mid-section pooches are the toughest to lose because of reduced elasticity and muscle tone as a result of pregnancy. Most experts agree that it’s almost impossible for you to return to your pre-pregnancy washboard belly. But don’t despair; you can shrink fatty tissue to get a bit closer to your ideal tummy.

Cardio is a mommy-must!

Cardio is basically any exercise that raises your heart rate and gets you “winded”. Such movements burn fat and build endurance. Examples include: running, walking (really quickly), jumping and the like.

Did you know tummy-reducing exercises are somewhat useless without some cardio? You need that cardio to burn away the fatty layer hiding the muscles you want to showcase. A great workout tool – that won’t make you cry for an ambulance– is Leslie Sansone’s “Walk Away the Pounds” series. You can get it at Walmart or Target for about fifteen bucks. Leslie's moves are easy and require no rhythm or fancy techniques! Buy online below at Amazon for a bit less.

Cut the Carbohydrates

You simply must reduce your sugar intake to lose your tummy fat. Sugar lurks in processed foods such as white breads, white rice and even crackers! Once that processed food hits your tummy it turns into sugar. Sugar turns to fat – sometimes congregating around your mid-section. Understand belly fat? Check out the video featuring Dr. Mehmet Oz.

A low-carb diet like the South Beach is a quick way to get rid of belly fat – but it’s far from easy. Here’s why: according to “The South Beach Diet” by Arthur Agatston, your body develops a sugar addition making you crave more and more “fixes”. During phase one you quit sugar “cold turkey” and lose some inches, but you also may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches. The good news is after your detox period, you’re less likely to crave sugar and should be free of it’s wicked, evil power forever!

Track those calories

Take advantage of free online tools to track your caloric intake. Try The Daily Plate or The Calorie Counter for some great tools! Dr. Ian Smith’s health challenge is also free and offers great resources.

Whichever course of action you choose to banish those mommie pounds, make sure you include cardio, limit your sugar and sweets and track what you eat. Soon you’ll be the size you want and a lot healthier to boot!

Access Resources Online:

Stress and the Single Mom

Thanks to Juanita Bartel for speaking to Kansas City single moms on Monday, August 31st at the Plaza Library. She shared practical insights on what stress is, how to manage it and some simple physical exercises to relieve it.

We also completed an assessment to gauge our feelings about our stresses and how to link our behaviors to core issues.

Thanks again to Juanita for taking time from her busy schedule to spend an evening with some dynamic single mommies!

Winners of give-a-ways were Cheryle, Keesha and Wilma! We love ya, guys!