Everyone has a story to tell. Here’s mine.
I started blogging in 2007, around the same time I started my company. I am a Certified Parent Educator & Life Coach with a focus on co-parenting relationships and helping single moms and dads deal with the transition following a divorce or break-up. My own high-conflict divorce lasted nearly 18 months and I wanted to help others who were going through similar experiences.
Through the court, I requested to move with my son to Minnesota, where our family is, and where I would have the support I would need to raise a child on my own.
His dad fought the move and ultimately, the judge denied my request. I was working full-time and traveled quite a bit for my job. It was stressful, but I had no idea things were going to become even more challenging.
I was laid off at the end of 2008 after working 7 1/2 years for the same company. I have been unemployed ever since, focusing on this blog and struggling to build a career or find a job that could support me and my son. The legal bills haunted me and my financial situation got worse each month but the recognition & comments I received through this site and from my new “friends” were priceless.
2010: I recently married my long-distance boyfriend who is now my long-distance husband. We found out we were pregnant in May (I’m due January 2, 2011). I had no medical insurance at the time so getting married right away was a practical choice. We had talked about marriage prior to this, and it felt right to both of us.
My son started calling him “Dad” right away and is thrilled about his new baby brother.
As of today, we don’t know when my husband will be able to join us out here. Our goal is to have him transfer before the baby comes but even then, he’ll be commuting to OC which means he’ll be gone nearly 14 hours a day.
I think often about moving to Minnesota (where my husband and our families are) and if it would be possible to bring my son. I don’t have the resources to even begin that legal battle. Both scenarios feel selfish to me which is why I was relieved that my husband made the decision to move out here with us, well before we found out I was pregnant.
Blogging and interacting with others online helps me stay sane. I get online to escape. I don’t reveal too many details on this blog, but instead I try to focus on the positive things and memories that I will be happy to look back on in years to come. There are more and more of them every day.
My husband, son, family and friends surround me with so much inspiration that I can’t help but be excited about our future.
Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home
Posted by Mama Mary on July 27, 2010 at 2:01 am
Good luck girl! You’ve got a great story to tell. : )
Posted by Snapshot: Are you still a single mom after you get remarried? | Single Mom Seeking on August 9, 2010 at 8:27 pm
[...] Because Sondra and the man she calls “Mr. Right” were dating long distance — he lives in Minnesota, where Sondra’s family also lives — they took advantage of all their time together. (Yep, that’s the new family above, and you can read more about her long-distance story here.) [...]
Posted by How it All Began « Happy Healthy Hip Parenting on October 8, 2010 at 12:08 pm
[...] look different in another decade, but I have no doubt that if we can survive – apart – what we’ve been through so far, our relationship can only get stronger as we continue to grow, live, and laugh – [...]