About.com Single Parents

Highlights for Single Parents: 17th Edition

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:33:16 +0000

This week's highlights include a discussion of whether dating single parents should let their significant others have a say in child discipline, a popular myth about single parents dispelled, and more.

On the Blogs:

When Do I Let My Boyfriend Discipline My Kid? - Rachel wonders whether her daughter is learning to play her and her boyfriend just a bit.

Is Divorcing a Military Member More Complicated - Cathy explains some of the differences between civilian and military divorce.

In the News:

Most Teen Parents Not Raised in Poverty, by Single Parents - The myth about a connection between teen pregnancies and single parent households gets dispelled.

State Hopes to Update Child Support Guidelines - Maryland is considering the first major update to their child support guidelines since 1988.

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Highlights for Single Parents: 17th Edition originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 10:33:16.

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Thrifty Thursday: Save With Toy Store Price Matching

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:57 +0000

Want to spend less on kids' toys this holiday season? Grab a cup of coffee, and spend some time reading your newspaper's most recent toy ads. Several stores, including Wal-Mart and Target, are offering price matching this season, which means they'll match any price printed in a competitor's ad circular. This kind of bargain hunting may require more of a time investment up front, while you're comparing ads and planning your shopping strategy. However, spending less time running from store to store, and knowing that you're getting the best price, is well worth it. Just don't let your kids find your stash of marked-up toy ads!

Online Price Matching Policies: Wal-Mart | Target

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Thrifty Thursday: Save With Toy Store Price Matching originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 05:00:57.

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Plan a Fun Fall Outing With Your Kids This Weekend

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:42:36 +0000

I think October was just about the most action-packed month we've ever had. Between soccer, football, my daughter's broken arm, both kids having a flu-like-virus, and various other activities and obligations, it seemed like there wasn't a single date on the calendar that wasn't filled with something to do (or devoted to recuperating). So when I turned the calendar over this week to November, I was thrilled to see nothing written down for this weekend! It's so exciting to be free to choose something fun, or even to deliberately choose to do nothing at all.

What about you? If you have a couple of hours to spare this weekend, see if you can plan a fun, seasonal activity with your kids, like going hiking or baking your favorite pumpkin treat. For ideas, read 30 Fun Things to Do With Your Kids This Fall.

Related: Ten Weeks of Fun Fall Activities.

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Plan a Fun Fall Outing With Your Kids This Weekend originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 20:42:36.

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10 Backup Providers for Single Parents

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:03:22 +0000

In recent days, if I didn't look outside, and relied only on the list of school closings scrolling across my TV screen, I might think it was a snow day! That's how many schools in our area have been closing due to outbreaks of H1N1 and flu-like-illnesses. Fortunately, my children's school has not closed, but my daughter told me that eight kids were absent from her class today.

Whether flu symptoms are keeping kids in your area home or not, make sure that you're well-prepared with backup child care options. If you co-parent, try to create a schedule that would allow the responsibility for sick days and school closing to fall equally on both of you. For more options, read 10 Backup Providers for Single Parents.

H1N1 Resources:

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10 Backup Providers for Single Parents originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 00:03:22.

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Highlights for Single Parents: 16th Edition

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:00:11 +0000

This week's highlights include concerns about adult sleepovers, a refund from Disney that you might be eligible for, and more.

On the Blogs:

A Single Dad Wonders About Grown-Up Sleepovers - What's your opinion? Should he discuss the issue with his daughters first?

How to Cope With a Stepfamily - Sue Atkins of Positive Parents = Confident Kids shares seven tips for creating a healthy stepfamily.

Disney Offering Refund on Baby Einstein DVDs and Videos - Get a refund for any Baby Einstein product purchased within the last five years.

In the News:

Dentists Propose "Cash for Candy" - Sell back some of your family's excess Halloween candy to a local dentist, and use the money to do something fun together.

Single Father Turned Away From Homeless Shelters - Dads with sole custody who've fallen on hard times may have a more difficult time getting help.

FCCS Focuses Efforts On Partners Of Single Parents - Franklin County Children Services, located in Ohio, has started a new program aimed at single parents, called "Choose Your Partner Carefully."

^{Photo © njgphoto of www.istockphoto.com.}

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Highlights for Single Parents: 16th Edition originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 05:00:11.

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Manage Your Kids' Halloween Candy With These Printable Candy Exchange Coupons

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:32:35 +0000

This year, my children's school put an end to the practice of collecting $5 from each student to cover the cost of holiday parties. Instead, my son's teacher asked all of us to send in a bag of Halloween candy for today's festivities. Um... Twenty-eight bags of candy? That's quite a lot! In fact, I might have a more difficult time than ever sorting through the "loot" and trying to manage my kids' sugar intake.

Fortunately, they've gotten used to a trick that I've been using for years. I print out these "Halloween Candy Exchange Coupons" and have my kids trade some of their candy for things like a trip to the bookstore, the dollar store, and their favorite smoothies. It's a win-win way to manage their Halloween candy and limit how much junk food is left hanging around the house.

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Manage Your Kids' Halloween Candy With These Printable Candy Exchange Coupons originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 09:32:35.

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Thrifty Thursday: Save Money By Combining Holiday Gifts

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:30 +0000

Are you looking for creative ways to save money this holiday season? Consider buying combination gifts for the families on your list. For example, choose a DVD, buy a gift certificate to a local movie theater, or select a game or activity they can all enjoy collectively. (The gift of time together is more valuable than a sweater, anyway, right?) For a list of ideal parent-child gifts, read 7 Affordable Parent-Child Gifts.

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Thrifty Thursday: Save Money By Combining Holiday Gifts originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 05:00:30.

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Reach Out to the People Around You

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:06:11 +0000

Have you ever noticed that when you're feeling down, it helps to help someone else? I really believe that's true--not just in the sense of recognizing that others are having just as hard a time, if not more, raising teenagers, or coping with a sleepless infant--but because when you share what you've learned along the way, you're affirming that what you've gone through has been worth something. It's shaped you into the person you are today: wiser, more at peace, and more willing to be true to yourself.

So whether you're ready to "give back" to another mom or dad in need, or you're in need of support yourself, stop by the Single Parents' Forum and introduce yourself. Or, chime in on one of the following "Readers Respond" features. Your wisdom might just be exactly what someone else needed to hear today.

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Reach Out to the People Around You originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 21:06:11.

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Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:38:40 +0000

Are your kids still undecided when it comes to choosing a Halloween costume? Don't fret. There are plenty of great Halloween costumes you can pull together at the last minute, and with minimal effort.

Sherri, over at Family Crafts at About.com, has put together a terrific resource called Fast and Simple Costumes. Right on the first page, she lists all of the supplies you'll need for each costume, so you can easily scroll down until you find something you can make without running back to the store.

More Halloween Costume Resources:

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Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 10:38:40.

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Highlights for Single Parents: 15th Edition

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:51:36 +0000

This week's highlights include a discussion of the label "single parent," concerns about child care, and more.

On the Blogs:

How Working Moms Supervise Tweens After School - Katherine asks whether tweens are old enough to supervise themselves after school.

Single Parent vs. Only Parent - Ashlee shares her frustration with the term "single parent." What's your opinion?

Halloween the Healthy Way - On SingleDad.com, Chef Andre shares tips for putting a healthy spin on this year's Halloween celebration.

In the News:

As Aid Shrinks, More 'Stuck' for Day Care - More and more parents are the losing child care subsidies that allow them to work in the first place.

Child Support Collections at Risk in Iowa - A DHS spokesman says most recipients won't be affected by the budget cuts. Really?

If You're Late to Pick Up Your Child at School, Expect More Than Embarrassment - One Portland-are school is charging late parents $5 for every ten minutes.

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Highlights for Single Parents: 15th Edition originally appeared on About.com Single Parents on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 07:51:36.

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