It’s funny b/c it’s the comments like yours, and those from all of the other single moms who read my blog, that make ME feel like I’m not the only one.

Funny how that works, huh?

So, thank you, thank you for reading…and I’m so glad you came up with that backpack idea. I’m still losing that battle a bit … but fortunately, my Ex is a dimwit and doesn’t actually scoop info from my house or steal anything. : )

I read one of your posts…then another, and another. Sometimes I’d find myself laughing, other times nodding and smiling ruefully, and other times thinking “Yeah, I remember that”. I’ve only been single (though I’ve been dating one man for over a year now and we’re still very happy) for a year and half. I relate to your blogs. You are funny, insightful, and say things the way I feel them, but can’t quite convey to others…the frustrations, the joys, the struggle of being the only parent that is “on the front lines” taking care of the child.

The post about the fireman and how men just seem to be checking you out all the time…been there. It really is like you shed the dead weight, take better care of yourself, and are more confident once you find out you really CAN do it by yourself. When I was a brain-washed doormat to my ex-husband, I never got the looks I get now.

The “shared custody of toys” post…totally with you there. The Ex at first insisted on me providing him with clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, everything to go with him to his house when he had our daughter. His reasoning – I pay child support, so the diapers, etc. are things that /I/ bought. You really have to put your foot down with the ex stealing (and in my case, I do mean stealing) clothes and toys. We worked it out that on days he’s picking her up from daycare, I leave a small backpack for our daughter with an outfit for her to wear home. When I pick her up from daycare (ex and I only see each other twice a month on Sunday evenings after his weekend), she is wearing the outfit I provided, and he returns the clothes she was wearing the day he picked her up in the backpack. This has really eliminated me buying something really cute for my daughter, only to never get to see her wear it again because he stole it and claims he doesn’t have it. Also, he knows not to come into my home unless invited (and I never do invite him in). The more space between he and I, the better, because my ex is the type that will use any and all information he has about you and your life against you. Major manipulator.

Another thing…sometimes when I am feeling low because I bought fast food for dinner for us, or dealt with the ex’s immaturity or greed…its nice to come here and focus on the relationship I have with my daughter, know that there are others like me, that I should be very proud of myself for the enormous growth I’ve made as a person, a mother…I’ll give myself a pat on the back, because I know I deserve it and I know that I have adapted and come SO FAR so quickly because I had to for my daughter.

Well, this has been much more long-winded than I expected, but the point is that I feel more centered, inspired, and content after reading your blog. So, kudos to you. Oh, plus, its very entertaining and something good to read when I have some lonely alone time without the boyfriend or my kiddo.

Rebs … one week away from her! God. I can’t imagine. Heart goes out to you and thanks for reading. Glad I can make you laugh. : )

Just keep writing. It’s nice knowing I’m not alone. Make me laugh and smirk and forget all the other crap.

I was going to delurk a couple of weeks ago when you posted about men and heels (since I am rather a shoe afficionado) but when I went to post I discovered that my shoe blog (yes, my SHOE blog) was broken. I proceeded to break it further and it took me two weeks to fix it! So anyway, hi, nice to meet you and I will now comment now and then!

Driz – This is a blog about my life as a single mom so I can see how one might assume that it’s a boxy identity. I can totally see that point. But, that’s what this blog is about…and largely b/c I can not relate these stories to anyone else in my life who actually “gets it.” My single mom readers, single dads and those dating us do “get it.” But I have been trying as of late to put more of my personality out there…

Not sure if it’s a “better life.” I mean the ideal life is a happy, happy marriage. But for us – it’s far better than being miserably married. Make sense?

And lastly – I am a mother. Are you a parent? Because being a mom, especially a solo mom to a baby or toddler means that we are defined by that motherhood. It is all-consuming. And it’s fabulous! Because the little ones are worth every bit of it.

Tks for reading though, love your thought provoking comments.

Sheilmaien…so wonderful to hear about your mother. I think a lot of us single moms will find comfort in reading your comment.

Queen – if you ever have any blogging/WordPress questions just e-mail me okay? My addy is on my About page.

Sometimes I still think you’re boxing yourself in by living so sheltered under this identity you wear. But then I sit back, doubt that opinion, and I keep reading, trying to be persuaded that the life of a single parent (a life I have no exposure to and can’t relate to personally), is really as one-dimensional as it seems.

Don’t mistake my tone here – I speak from a place of curiousity and admiration. I really wonder if maybe that is a better life, in a lot of ways. Being able to focus your whole person in one *very* valuable direction is strikingly enviable.

When I read your blog, I put myself (as best I can) in your shoes, and I find the world looks very different from that viewpoint.

~ Driz

I’m a single mom to a 20-month-old son–never married. We officially separated (he moved out) when Son was about 10 months old, but our relationship headed south months before that. We were together for about four years when we split.

I read your blog because I wanna read/hear more about single moms. I relate to your everyday stories of life as a single mama more than the dating, because I’m not there yet. When/if I do get there, I might enjoy that stuff more.

But like someone else said, you should write about what you want to write about–it’s your blog, ms. lady!