Tips for single moms to build relationships with one another:
To piggyback on my very first article, Single mothers band together to help each other out, I wanted to come back periodically and give you not only updates on the three mothers I focused on , but to give you some tips on how you too can develop similar bonds with other single moms in your neighborhoods and surrounding areas.I think it is extremely important to understand that although we may encounter a situation that leaves us raising our children alone, we most certainly do not have to bare this sometimes overwhelming task all by ourselves. You see, whether you know it or not, you may have a neighbor that only lives houses or even a couple of blocks away that is also holding it down by her lonesome.
Whether you live in Botswana, Africa or in Wilmington, Delaware, you are truly not alone. Here are a few tips to get you started participating in and contributing to the concept of that old saying, " It takes a village to raise a child!"
#1. When you find yourself at your child's school or daycare, speak to other parents and mothers. The only way to meet people is to first ackowledge that you see them. It is kind and curteous to speak to people, whether it is staff or a fellow-parent.
#2. Ask questions and get to know who your children are around and who their parents are.
When your kids are out playing and or participating in events where other kids and parents are a part of, find out who is who. Find out who lives near or around you and what are their names. Do not be afraid to ask children what their parents names are and if you can meet them.
#3. Get acquainted with the parents and moms of other children you know have a single parent household. You may not even realize how either you can help this other parent or how this other parent may be able to help you. You may just find that you need someone to talk to in the interim that your child has an issue that you are not familair with or do not have any experience with. You may simply want another child to be able to stay the night or if your child wants to sleep over a friend's house, you may want to know who the mother is.
In my city, Wilmington, I live in what is known as Southbridge.
We have a facility called the Neighborhood House ( www.neighborhoodhse.org/) and there are several basketball courts in the surrounding area of our neighborhood. We have a couple of Barber shops, corner stores, even a Metro PCS store, a local cleaners and a BP gas station, all within a 10 block radius of walking distance. We have a Firehouse and of course your local Liquor store as well as churches and a few other places of business. There are residents who have lived here for more than 30-40 years. There is no reason that single mothers, fathers and parents can't get to know one another and build relationships to help our youth prosper and become successful in life.
One last tip before I go,
#4. Get your children involved in these programs and recreational facilities and establish a repore with the people helping to occupy your children's time, motivate and encourage them to stay out of trouble and educate them to improve and succeed in their lives. It may feel like we are all alone when the bills are due and not enough money is coming in, or our children encounter situations that bewilder and confuse us at times, but if you at least make an effort to try some of the tips I have suggested, things will get better,one moment, one event, one day at a time. Other people are in place to do their part, so as the parents, single or not, we should give them the benefit of the doubt and share in the responsibility to utilize the help that is available by building relationships with others who are traveling the same road we are, this may make the journey less lonely in the end.
Big thanks to this site.
Everyone agrees that having a baby changes one's life forever in a number of different ways. One way is that the mother is now putting the baby's needs in front of her own, especially when it comes to sleep, feeding, and time. Most new moms want to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight, but may not have the time or energy to devote to an exercise program like they did before they got pregnant. Be sure to get physician's clearance to exercise (often time is 6 weeks post-partum, longer if there was a C-section).
Below are some simple, practical, yet effective tips to help new moms lose the pregnancy weight:
- Strength train 2-3x/wk. It only has to be 10-15 minutes with full body moves. Squats, push-ups, standing lunges, crunches, shoulder press, tricep dips are exercises that can be done at home with minimal or no equipment.
- Get outside! Get the stroller or baby jogger and start with 10-15 minutes of walking or easy walk/jog intervals (i.e. warm up, 5x2 min jog alternate with 2 min walk, cool down) Cardio can be done 3-5 times a week.
- Look into mom-baby exercise classes, such as StrollerFit, Moxie Moms, and post-partum classes at the nearest fitness facility.
- Nutrition. It may seem easier to just grab for the first thing in the pantry for quick energy, but try to focus eating healthy, unprocessed food. Eating a sound nutritional diet (including not skipping breakfast) will increase energy and help with weight loss.
The key is setting a small goal each day, for example, today may be 10 minutes of strength training, tomorrow is a walk, the next day is drinking enough water, etc. Remember that even 10 minutes a day is better than nothing!
Happy Training!
New parents often have many questions when it comes to Mom and baby's nutrition. How will Mom cope with "morning" sickness? Will you choose breast milk or formula for baby? Here are some key steps for keeping your family happy and healthy during these new and exciting times.
Morning sickness: Nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of day during pregnancy, and for some, well past the first trimester. What's going on? A surge and change in hormones are suspected. To reduce symptoms of "morning" sickness eat small, frequent meals (including snacks) throughout the day. Stay clear of strong flavors and odors - and follow a low-fat (not fat-free!) meal plan. Before getting out of bed in the morning, eat. Keep a snack-size pouch of pretzels or crackers on your bedside table to nibble on before leaving your bed. Eating a bedtime snack rich in protein and heart-healthy fats such as plain yogurt mixed with granola may also reduce symptoms as well.
Save money while eating on the fly: Personal schedules often pick up pace closer to baby's due date. Family budgets can suddenly become of utmost importance, too - especially if taking leave from work. Save money and build healthy meals at home. Plan weekly menus based upon schedules and meal plan needs. On the days you cook, keep it simple. Create colorful, heart-healthy meals with whole grains, vegetables and lean meats.
Breast milk or formula? Breast milk is the best nutritional choice for most babies. It allows mom to pass along precious immune defense compounds, as well as essential nutrients tailored directly to each stage of a baby's development. That said, strictly breast feeding for the first six months of life and supplementation with infant-appropriate solid foods between 6 to 12 months is nutritionally preferred. If breastfeeding isn't an option, choose a formula that's convenient and similar in composition to mom's milk.
Solids - which ones? After baby's first month or so of eating solids, you may notice they're ready to move past rice cereal. Regardless whether you plan on preparing baby's food from scratch or not, commercially prepared options deserve consideration. They allow flexibility with schedules, travel, out-of-home care and family visits. When choosing a line of baby food, focus on brands offering all-natural, single foods and "mixed" meals without preservatives, artificial colors, added sodium and sugars.
To juice or not to juice? This is a common topic of debate for parents. Do children need juice? No. Whole fruits can provide one's daily servings of fruit. Can juice help meet daily servings of fruit? Yes, if it's 100 percent juice. If offering juice, keep these in mind: Don't offer juice before 6 months of age; only offer it in a cup, never in a bottle; and keep daily serving sizes to no more than 4 to 6 ounces for children ages 1 to 6.
By arming yourself with nutritional strategies early on, you'll be ready to tackle anything that comes your way - keeping Mom and baby healthy for optimal growth and development. Carrie Taylor is a registered dietitian and licensed dietitian nutritionist with Big Y. If you have a nutrition question, e-mail her at askcarrie@bigy .com or write Ask Carrie, 2145 Roosevelt Ave, P.O. Box 7840, Springfield, MA 01102.
