Single Mom | Single Mom Blog | Ms. Single Mama » kate hudson

Chaos and calm.

mssinglemama — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:13:37 +0000

The weather has cooled off.

Fall is just around the corner. Just like that, another summer… gone. Next week I’ll be frantically packing for Denmark – planning out every outfit. I’m a dork like that. And yes, I am SUCH a girl. Hate traveling without bringing all of the necessities, but I’m also a light packer. SO it’s quite the adventure – me packing, or watching me packing.

Thankfully there won’t be anyone watching (it’s embarassing). I try on the outfits, match the shoes with the different skirts and jeans. Then the scarves and even the jewelry. Every piece has to be included because if I’m there and I don’t feel right – I’m annoyed and then I go buy something. Must prevent future Alaina from feeling the need to buy something in order to jazz up her outfit. I’ll have to find a way to fit my cowboy boots in – usually wear them in the airport to solve that problem.

All will be well.

Nope. Not freaking out yet.

Benjamin and I had THE most amazing weekend. I think it’s the cool autumn air blowing through my hot and sticky midwest city… but I was completely calm all weekend. My mind silent for 48 hours straight. Unbelievable.

Benjamin and I chased down hot air balloons, but the wind had them all deflated (they blew this one up for the crowd).

Benjamin was the first of the children to touch it and while the rest backed away because of the heat, Benjamin got closer (no pain/ no fear).

The night before I went to a Black Crowes concert. After my girlfriend and I squirmed our way to the fifth row I could see Chris Robinson’s face. And for some reason, all I could think about was the fact that this guy – had let Kate Hudson go. What had she seen in him? This crazy, rocker guy… she and I have a lot in common. Being single moms and, of course, that damn bad boy complex. What is up with that anyway?

What else?

I met four Matts that night. One was cute but I ran away. I ate a bratwurst so spicy I thought my semi-drunk brain was going to explode. Food stands like that should be illegal if drunk people are around.

Today… on Sunday, Benjamin and I spent the afternoon at Brad’s apartment working on my new website. Yes, another little makeover. But this one is more techinical than anything else – you won’t notice much of a difference but the search engines will! More traffic means more single parents and that makes this single mom very, very happy. Because I know there are a lot of us out there – looking for answers, tips and advice or just the comfort in knowing we’re not alone.

Have a fantastic Monday! I’ll keep you posted on that new site stuff… and as usual, everything else.

No related posts.

Lance and Kate Split!

mssinglemama — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:26:51 +0000

So much for our hot Hollywood single parent couple. Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong broke up. Sad. They were together for 3 months. Here’s an excerpt from the article in US Magazine:

“There was no drama or ugliness – They just decided to end things,” a source close to the couple tells Us. “There is no hatred, just sadness.”
The pair quickly became inseparable with sightings of them in Austin, New York and Los Angeles – though both dodged questions about their relationship.”

They decided to call it quits after a weekend conference in Ohio. Armstrong’s twin girls are seven and his son is nine. Hudson’s son, Ryder, is just four.

Single moms are on fire.

mssinglemama — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:22:13 +0000

Single moms are hot, hot, hot.

Yep. We are trendy. It’s official.

This fact was pointed out to me in my first piece of hate mail from a YouTube viewer, one of nearly 500 who have already watched Morgan and I’s “Dating & Single Moms” video. With so many views, and there will be more, the crazies are bound to come out. Regardless he made one point I agreed on.

Women with children are realizing it’s okay to be single. But while Mr. Crazy thinks this awakening to not “needing” a man marks the downfall of society, I think it’s about time.

It’s about time single moms can be proud and happy. We didn’t choose this path but here it is – and it’s in our children’s best interest to make the best of it – day in and day out. And yes, society (ours anyway) is slowly coming to accept single moms and dads. We have celebrity role models all over the place. Some good. Some bad. Angelina Jolie (the original who snagged Brad Pitt), Kate Hudson (the newbie) and who is that? Madonna? She might be a single mom again. Or is she already? I can’t keep up.

And last night Must Love Kids premiered on TLC. There was even a single dad on this last season of the Bachelorette. Yep. Single moms and dads are all over the place. And while it concerns me that some young women might actually aspire to be a single mom or actually want to be caught up in a dramatic and sexy divorce (because the reality is much darker) I think the positives of society accepting the single parent household (whether it be through mainstream media or blogs) is ultimately a good thing.

And to the question – are happy and proud single moms bad for society?

Time will be the judge but I can tell you one thing that is for certain – it’s bad for society when fathers leave their families, check out mentally or lash out physically against the mothers of their children or when they refuse to pay child support or play a role in their child’s lives. This is something that has been happening for generations but now, finally, the women and children left behind can actually communicate openly.

I think the responsibility of how our society and how this country’s children turn out lies on everyone’s shoulders – mothers, fathers, grandparents, neighbors, aunts, uncles. It takes a village and if anyone ever lays blames solely on the mother because she slept with the wrong man and god forbid (got pregnant) than they can … well … I’ll leave that one up to your imagination.

Just had to vent after that horrible, horrible e-mail from YouTube which I won’t reprint here because it was too disgusting and offensive.

P.S. I had my neighbor TIVO Must Love Kids, no TV in the house so I missed it! Darn it. Will definitely catch it this weekend and from what I’m reading – the reviews are great.

P.P.S. This is an entry into MommyPie’s BlogHerNot ’08 Conference the topic: “How to Nail a Crazy YouTube Commenter with a Post”

Hollywood’s single parent couple?

mssinglemama — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:33:17 +0000

Reports say Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong are an item.

They were spotted leaving a Monaco hotel room this weekend en route to a boat trip. Wouldn’t that be nice? I wonder if they brought the kids? Armstrong’s twin girls are seven and his son is nine. Hudson’s son, Ryder, is just four. I’m sure they’re both keeping the kids out of the picture, the fling has only been going on for a few weeks.

I’m a huge fan of Kate Hudson. We’re the same age (29), I love her acting and she’s a single mom. Usually don’t even get into celebrity gossip but I had to pass this on. Just think, if they hit it off (for real) Lance and Kate could become Hollywood’s shining single parent couple.

And if you ever feel down about your divorce, like we all do sometimes, think on this … Lance Armstrong won seven Tour de France’s and survived cancer, but he couldn’t make his marriage work.

What do you guys think? Any news to add to this story that I missed? It’s actually kind of weird because both of their exes, Sheryl Crow and Owen Wilson, used to date.

If you’re really into this story, check out this post from an L.A. Times blogger – she thinks Kate is just another one of Lance’s girls and is shocked Hudson would fall for his smooth moves. And who says Kate isn’t taking Lance for a ride? Us single moms like to have some fun too!

And, besides, Kate has said in several interviews that she has no intentions of ever getting married again, instead she’ll follow the model of her mom (Goldie Hawn) and Kurt Russell – permanent companions without any ink on the deal.

Hmmm…. I love this stuff!

Random Conclusions:

Marriage is hard - and every married couple out there deserves major props.
Celebrity single parents are fun to spy on.
Kate Hudson rocks!

[Kate Hudson Photo Credit: Wikipedia]

Copenhagen or Bust!

mssinglemama — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:41:38 +0000

I bought a ticket to Denmark.

I know what you’re thinking. She’s lost her mind! She’s wrapped up in a torrid love affair with the Dane!

My little brother called me when he found out, “Alaina? You’re flying to Denmark? So you’re really serious with this guy, huh?”

There was an obvious hint of concern in his voice, rightly so. I have a reputation for “losing it” over men. I did marry Benjamin’s father just because he needed a Green Card, we were in love – hence the child – but still, it was “crazy.” I did have a tendency to go crazy over men, but now as a single mom, falling in love just isn’t the same. And I’m not falling in love with Thomas…I can’t! He lives an ocean away… but I can visit him. Besides, it’s been years since I’ve had the chance to go to Europe.

So here’s the skinny on the Dane and why he’s worthy of a visit.

Aside from my friend Mia and her daughter Sydney (who calls herself Benjamin’s sister) we have no one in our lives on a regular basis. I have quite a few amazing friends and a very supportive mother, but when it comes to the daily grind – Benjamin and I are completely alone.

Thomas and I had reconnected through Facebook recently and when he told me he was coming through to visit our college town – where we’d met and dated 8 years ago – I offered up my guest bedroom and my services as hostess.

I remembered Thomas as being completely open, honest, fun and of course, incredibly attractive … but how would he handle five days with a single mom and her two year old? I was a bit nervous as his arrival loomed. Personally, I think Benjamin and I are a blast, but not all men see it that way. What if it would be awkward? What if he didn’t like kids?

But it wasn’t awkward at all. It was amazing.

He immediately bonded with Benjamin, the two loved each other
He woke up with Benjamin every morning he was here, giving me a chance to sleep in! A miracle!
He ran grocery errands.
Cooked dinner for me (the first time a man’s made me dinner in oh – at least two years).
I had mentioned that I loved European chocolates, so he found some and surprised me with them later.
He gave me compliments – lots of compliments.
He asked me questions and waited for the answers
And above all, he understood that Benjamin comes first.

These weren’t cheesy attempts at winning my heart, they were just natural gestures of affection and consideration. I didn’t have to ask him for help – he just did it.

So for five days, Benjamin and his mommy were spoiled rotten.

There’s this little thing about being a single mom though – after you get used to doing it all on your own 99.9% of the time, help can be a mixed blessing. Once it’s gone, you have to adapt all over again. Fortunately, in this case, the spoilage only lasted five days. Keep in mind, the guy was trapped with us, all of my ex-boyfriends have had limited face time with Benjamin, which meant limited chances for me to “get used to help.” I do this for a few reasons, the first to protect Benjamin and the second to protect myself. But in the case of a house guest – what are you going to do? Hide him in the closet?

The night Thomas left Benjamin and I were cleaning the car. The traces of our marvelous weekend were tucked in pockets and under the car seats. The New York Times from the bookstore, Benjamin’s soccer ball we’d brought on our hike and the sunscreen lotion from the music festival.

Then, with my hands clutching memories that I knew would fade too quickly, the tears started to fall. He was just so fantastic, such great company and such a supportive friend. And there we were – my little Benjamin and I – completely alone again.

And now you know why it took me so long to write about all of this.

Thomas reminded me that truly compassionate, considerate and affectionate men do exist. And there was romance - but it the kind of romance two people have when there is a profound and mutual respect for each other, not a ripping each other’s clothes off romance. Like Kate Hudson (my hero single mom) has said, “When you’re a single mom, dating becomes very adult.”

You didn’t think this single mama would give up her fabulous singleness that easily, did you?

Now, if Thomas lived in my zip code – might be a different story.

UPDATE: A few days after writing this post, Thomas wrote about the experience through his eyes, read it here.

UPDATE II: See how the trip went.

[Photo Credit: Kwintessential.co.uk]

Celebrity Single Mom of the Month? Moi?

mssinglemama — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:44:08 +0000

You may have noticed in my Polka Dot Love comment thread…but apparantly I’ve been named the Celebrity Single Mom of the Month. I was so flattered! Anyway – the blog is a great spot to keep up with all of our celebrity counter parts.

For example, I just found out that Angelina is pregnant with twins!!! Is that true? That means there’s a good chance they’ll have a son!! A little Brad Pitt.

My favorite celebrity single mom is Kate Hudson…who’s your favorite celebrity single mom?

Other posts you may like:

[Photo: People Magazine]