Help!

Asking for help is probably one of the most difficult things for me to do. I offer help, I’m here for others if and when they need me. Most women and moms are – giving to and taking care of others before thinking of themselves. Yet, at the same time, I was taught to take care of myself, be independent and not (have to) rely on others.

It’s not easy to admit when things are going not-as-planned and when circumstances out of my control have led me to a challenge that I don’t quite know how to face.

Last week, I faced the family court judge as she explained that I would need to prove that I’m looking for work, truly trying to find a job that will support my son and I.

You see, I didn’t ask for help when I truly needed it and now I’m here, struggling to make ends meet, all because the focus of the last year has been to try and make my own business work. I put myself out there, letting people know that I’m available as a Parent/Life Coach but it seems like there are others, besides me, who are not able or willing to ask for help when they need it.

There was a time in my life when things were quite bad, when I struggled just to get out of bed in the morning because I was so numb and truly unable to feel anything. People asked if I was anorexic for a while because I lost so much weight due to stress. I had no appetite and I became robotic, going, going, going, without any emotion and unable to stop or slow down to truly enjoy life.

I look back at that time and those experiences that led up to that point and know that I have much to offer and share with others going through similar situations.

In other words, I’m not going anywhere. I may have to start a 9-5 job that might have nothing to do with helping others, but I’m still going to provide my services to those who request it. I’m still going to share my thoughts and ramblings here on this page, I’m still going to send my newsletter with those who are willing to read it and I’m still going to provide you with things to laugh at (me) when you follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

All I’m asking for, in return, is for you to continue to send encouraging words, to help keep me focused on why I’m here, why we’re all here -  to make this world a better place. I believe that with your help, I can begin to do that, one family at a time.

If you know of anyone who is in need of support, please pass along my information. I would love to help.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Twitter and The Fail Whale

That’s what this book might as well be called:

Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem

How have I never heard of this before?

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Gratitude

This year, I’m thankful for so many people and I’m afraid I may forget someone.

Anyways, here goes:

• I’m so grateful for my parents, for so many reasons but especially (this year) for being so supportive while I try to make ends meet and raise my son thousands of miles away. And also for showing me what it means to love unconditionally. They are by far the most awesome grandparents to my son whose love for them grows as he does.
• I’m thankful for my sister and her boys for sharing their stories with me and making me realize how lucky I am to have little ones in my life that are not my own. It’s amazing how much love there is to go around.
• I’m grateful to the father of my child. For being a constant in my son’s life and for truly being the best dad a little boy could hope for.
• I am indebted to my son’s teachers, both his current teachers and those who have taught him in the past, for encouraging  him, inspiring him and guiding him. He has learned to read, write and love numbers with as much confidence as a superhero and I am blessed that they are there to teach my son respect by giving it in equal measures.
• I’m thankful for my clients for allowing me to share my experiences and expertise with co-parenting issues and for allowing me into their homes and hearts. They each teach me as much as I teach them.
• I’m so thankful for Mr. Right, my best friend. He’s been there for me over twelve years and I appreciate how supportive, loving and funny he is. He continues to impress me and has me falling in love all over again each time we talk.
• I’m ever so blessed to have met some pretty amazing friends over the last few years that also continue to be a major support system to me. I’ve made some pretty amazing friends through my son’s school who invite us to play dates, carpool (because they too love playing chauffeur) and who love my son as if he was their own. (I love your kids too!)
• I’m thankful for the many friends and contacts I’ve made on-line and through social networking. I’ve learned so much about you and your families that I think of you as a part of mine. Thank you for letting me into your lives and allowing me to be a part of yours.
• I’m ever so grateful for my friends back home and spread around the country who make time to catch up with me when we are in the same state. It’s rare that we get a chance to spend time together, but they always embrace me with open arms and we go right back to where we were ten, or fifteen years ago.

I am grateful to you, for reading and for continuing to support me just by showing up. I hope you are able to spend some quality time this weekend with the ones you love, whether it’s face-to-face, over the phone or in spirit.

Hugs to you and your family and cheers to another wonderful year of minutes and moments to be thankful for.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Giving Thanks

We all know that no one gets into writing – or blogging – for the money. So, what’s it all for? I ponder this very question from time to time and wonder what it is that keeps me going, or coming back for more.

Without a doubt, I would have to say that being introduced to so many amazing writers, inspiring individuals and awesome parents is what makes this whole ride worthwhile. Knowing that there are people reading these words and sharing similar ideas and experiences encourages me to keep writing, sharing and reading.

This year on Thanksgiving, I want to take the time to thank each and every one of you – especially those of you who took the time to comment on my blog this past year. Many of you I have had the pleasure of meeting in person, either at BlogHer, or here in San Diego at a local event.

It’s been an absolutely fantastic journey so far and I look forward to getting to know each of you even better.

• Ali @The Rehan Family
• Amy @AmyMusings
• Ann @AnnsRants
• Astacia @Mamikaze
• BlondeMom @BlondeMomBlog
• Carrie @ItsFrugalBeingGreen
• Cat @SparksPhotography
• Christina @ChristinaRodriguez
• Deborah @ComfortJoyDesigns
• Deanna @LilDevilMama
• Diane @TheMommyDiaries
• Dr. Leah @SingleMommyhood
• Emmie @LifeBehindTheCurve
• HeadlessMom @TheHeadlessFamily
• Heather @RookieMoms
• Janice @5minutesformom
• Jason @KimandJason
• Jennifer @MySailorsMistress
• Jenny @JennyOnTheSpot
• Jessica @BernThis
• Jim @BusyDadBlog
• Joe @Joeprah
• Kelly @ChildhoodClothing
• Kelly @MochaMomma
• Kristin @HalfwayToNormal
• Leah @Bookieboo
• Lotus @SarcasticMom
• Mary @MamaMaryShow
• Matthew @ChildsPlayX2
• Mel @ADramaticMommy
• Rachel @ASouthernFairyTale
• Rachel @SingleMomSeeking
• Shauna @ShaunaGlenn
• SingleMom @SingleMomSurvives
• Sugar @SugarInTheRaw
• Theresa @RockOnMommies
• Tonya @ThisAndThat

Thanks to everyone who has visited here, read my words, laughed out loud, cried with me, or simply clicked here by mistake.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Thank goodness for that!

Books of all different shapes and sizes spill from my son’s shelves and luckily he’s grown to be as much of a bookworm as I was at his age.

From time to time, something happens or someone says something that causes one or both of us to say, “That reminds me of that one book…” Typically, when one of us can’t remember what the book was, the other one can.

Today, I was trying to figure out what book we have that best represents Thanksgiving and shows what it truly means to appreciate someone or something in our lives. While we have many books about Halloween and Christmas, not one single title came to mind that really focuses on giving thanks.

Without realizing what I was saying (to myself), I found myself thinking, “Thank goodness for that,” and was suddenly reminded of a great picture book with simple sentences – many with just one or two words – that shows early readers the meaning of being grateful in a way that is both fun and simple.

Cat, written by Mike Dumbleton and illustrated by Craig Smith, repeats the phrase, “Thank goodness for that,” as it follows a mischievous cat, along with the bird, dog and child that the cat chases, runs away from or plays with. With its up-close illustrations, Cat will have any animal lover laughing out loud and appreciating even the little things in life.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Twitter’s Finest

Somehow, I manage to follow over 6,000 people on Twitter (on two accounts), although it’s hard to keep up.  With the new list feature, I’ve tried to separate these wonderful and funny people which helps me find who and what I need at a given moment. Since the lists feature was created, I’ve discovered some pretty amazing people who I might not otherwise find.

What I find the most interesting are the names of the lists I’ve come across that have made me laugh out loud (LOL) and want to follow everyone included. Luckily, I don’t have to. I can just follow the list and check in every once in a while.

Here are my favorite lists, based not on who is included but by the name of the list. Cause nothing is more appealing to me than an intriguing title.

• @VelveteenMind/for-a-good-time-call
• @dubiousMa/not-douchebags
• @unmarketing/peoplewhocouldbeatmeup
• @singlemomma_cc/funny-even-when-im-sober
• @califmom/milfs-n-dilfs
• @NctrnlBst/cougarrific
• @unmarketing/peoplewhomakemesnotlaugh
• @momfluential/moms-who-run-in-heels
• @MomoFali/brothers-i-never-had
• @DigitalPagan/i-d-leave-my-husband-for
• @ruby2466/people-i-want-to-spoon
• @trabernlaw/people-way-cooler-than-me
• @nomoreidos/nevergettingmarriedagain
• @debontherocks/they-owe-me-bail-money
• @TheArtofBeer/girlsthatknowbeer
• @MireyasWorm/people-who-have-nice-feet
• @LittleAnimation/saynotosnuggies
• @mayhemstudios/too-sexy-for-their-shirt
• @Glennia/this-1-time-at-band-camp

What lists do you follow because of its name?

Follow me: @hip_m0m and @happyhealthyhip

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Yo Gabba Gabba – Music is Awesome

Even though we’ve never seen Yo Gabba Gabba on TV, my son and I were introduced to the characters on the Nick Jr. website where there are games, videos and music available.

I received an email from the PR company that’s promoting the new Music Is Awesome CD featuring hit songs from the TV show, wanting to know if I would be interested in reviewing the CD. Since The Shins and Of Montreal were listed on the list of artists who are included, I figured this would be music that both my son and I could enjoy.

Music is Awesome

When the CD arrived, my son asked me to put it in right away so on the way to school one morning, we listened to the first 16 songs (it’s a 15 mile drive). My son loved it and couldn’t wait to listen to it again when we got home from school yesterday, which meant that I had to go out to the car to get it so we could play it in the house, download it onto our computer and put it onto his iPod for his listening pleasure.

Be prepared for your kids to want to get up and dance once they hear the music! Be equally prepared to start singing, “Party In My Tummy,” as you prepare dinner.

You can check out the songs on Amazon and download individual songs or the entire CD.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Single Dads wanted

Now is the time to get a little excited….SingleDad.com is past the stages of development and is now looking to cast 3 to 4 additional fathers for their TV Reality show by December 4, 2009! We need your help finding the “perfect fit”.

Here is what we are looking for:

• Dads residing anywhere in the Greater Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Diego Counties.
• Any type of fatherhood situation that is in the early stages of transitioning to being a single parent.
• Fathers never married with children, newly divorced with children or widowed fathers raising their children.
• To qualify, single dads must have at least 50% custody of their children.
• Any lifestyle, color or ethnicity.
• Men ages 45 or less are preferred.

We will cast 3 to 4 “transitioning” fathers and their children to join an existing group of 2 fathers who have already transitioned into single parenting. This “Dads Club” will require a person with a dynamic personality and openness to sharing the challenges of life as a single parent within the Dads Club and on camera.

To be considered, please send the following to rj@singledad.com. We must cast by December 4th , so don’t delay!

1. Picture of dad and kids (please include names and ages)
2. Brief summary of current custody status
3. Contact info (city of residence, email and phone number)
4. All correspondence sent by e-mail only to: rj@singledad.com

Please pass this along to anyone who you think might be interested.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Putting it all in perspective

Over the last few days, for no reason whatsoever, I’ve been feeling pretty low. I’ve been keeping quiet, staying away from my usual connections – both online and in real life. Today, I had a ton of things to do after dropping off my son at school and I was starting to feel really anxious, frustrated and impatient – with myself and my office equipment.

As I was trying frantically to get this week’s newsletter out before 5pm (my personal deadline), I decided to check in to my Facebook page for a quick distraction and to see what everyone’s been up to today.

What I saw made my heart stop and I have been sick with worry ever since. Right there at the top of the page was the status update that I had to read twice before I realized that I needed to sit down (but I was already sitting down).

Anissa Mayhew

Anissa Mayhew is in the ICU after suffering a stroke this afternoon. Her husband, Peter, updated her Facebook status and there are thousands of us (literally) standing by waiting for the next update (and to learn whether or not Anissa was wearing clean underwear when she was admitted into the hospital).

For those of you who don’t know Anissa, let me quickly share the list of sites that she writes for, starting with the blog that is dedicated to Peyton, her youngest daughter who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006.

• Hope for Peyton
• Free Anissa
• Aiming Low
• The Mayhew Review
• Blog Nosh

Just last week we celebrated with Anissa as her daughter reached a full year since her last chemo treatment. Anissa’s brought us along on her journey, through the ups and downs of Peyton’s treatment and recovery.  I have cried and laughed with Anissa over the years, mostly laughed, since it’s Anissa’s sense of humor that is the most prominent part of her personality, besides how genuinely compassionate and sweet she is.

I had the pleasure of meeting her, finally, in Chicago this past summer at BlogHer. She sat on the floor in front of me during the Humor Panel and upon noticing me, instantly put Aiming Low stickers on both my nipples. Yes, this is the Anissa that I  love and admire and laugh with and am now praying for.

I look forward to laughing with her again soon. Please keep her in your prayers. She’s in ours!

#prayersforanissa

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home