Comments on: I became a single mom on Thanksgiving

By: Waiting. And then her father responded. | Single Mom Seeking...

Waiting. And then her father responded. | Single Mom Seeking... — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:19:45 +0000

[...] something very surreal about seeing the father of my child first the first time in more than seven years. But rather than feeling angry, I feel compassionate [...]

By: Ann Coulter. “It’s your fault, single moms” | Single Mom Seeking...

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:42:48 +0000

[...] beyond your own self absolution to realize that what Ann was talking about was the glorifying of single motherhood as if it were some sort of status to be achieved…Keep on telling it like it is, [...]

By: How to stay sane when you’re dating during the holidays | Single Mom Seeking...

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:02:48 +0000

[...] That’s why I’m working on my little cheat sheet: “How to stay sane when you’re dating during the holidays.” [...]

By: Solo-Dad

Solo-Dad — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:46:53 +0000

My father is my hero. He always has been, even though he’s didn’t vote for Obama.
A few years back my son interviewed my mother about her recollections of the sacrifices her family made in WWII. Your post brought back this memory and how informative it was for him and me.
I think a lot of Solo-Dads and their kids could benefit from your example of questioning family members about their lives. It adds texture to the family fabric.

By: Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass)

Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:50:25 +0000

I truly believe in our most vulnerable moments, we can be our most powerful. You show that so clearly here. If, in this moment, on this holiday, we are vulnerable and we surround ourselves with people who get it, people we love, people who we want to raise a glass with and share meal with, then how powerful is that? You give me hope and make me proud, mama.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:24:41 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving! Julie´s last blog post...Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.

By: Gregpeckfan

Gregpeckfan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:14:22 +0000

My precious girl was born at Thanksgiving. I gave birth on a Friday night prior to Thanksgiving, in 2000, and the following Thursday was Turkey Day – I cooked. I have always called her ‘pumpkin pie’.

Your post hit a nerve with me that I rarely consider consciously. I almost painfully appreciate my dad in the few years since Eric left. His presence, his maleness. His dad-ness. Perversely, becoming a single mom improved my relationship with my Dad in immeasurable ways.

My dad and I were always like oil & water. I spent my 20s in various forms of therapy on about my “abandonment issues”. I suppose he was typical of the men who grew up in the 40s & 50s – emotionally unavailable, repressive, and angry.

When Eric left, I discovered a different definition for the word “abandoned.” Sadly no, it isn’t a psycho-babblonian term where dad doesn’t listen to your feelings in adolescence. It’s a suddenly empty house, children to feed and standing in the food line, no job, endless nights alone with no sleep and the heaviness of dependent kids dreaming next to you.

I come from blue collar, working class people. My dad worked very hard for us, and we ate well, and slept warm. He did the very best he could with the parenting tools he was given. And he STAYED. I am deeply grateful for my dad. Now, aging, he has a heart condition and yet he still helped me this past couple years…. with hanging things, with fixing the lawn mower, wrestling with my son. He is still there, I am still his girl, and he is still a strong male presence in my life, and the kids’ lives.

When Eric had been gone about 10 months, and I was still nursing a badly broken heart – my Dad and I drove to an auction for Violet’s school. He reached for my hand. He said “He’s not coming back. We have to move on. This is your life now and you have to suck it up and let go.” It was a great favor, because when my Dad said it out loud, it clicked into place for me.

Happy Thanksgiving, this is really a good topic.

By: dadshouse

dadshouse — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:24:30 +0000

Love your dad’s answers! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.

By: SortaSingleMama

SortaSingleMama — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:33:17 +0000

I remember my first Thanksgiving as a single mom. My husband and I had separated one month earlier. I was eight weeks pregnant with our second, and caring for our 8 month old alone while working full time. I remember feeling so sad and morning sick that the thought of eating made me want to sleep until Spring. Luckily, my daughter's godmother and one of my best-est friends came from across the country to whip my ass (and some dinner) into shape. Two years later, I am still single, but feeling strong and sexy instead of sad and lonely. You are right, it definitely does get better! SortaSingleMama´s last blog post...I just can’t do it

By: LOD

LOD — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:29:15 +0000

My marriage ran aground (or at least I first realized it had) two Thanksgivings ago. It's kind of crappy to associate the holiday with the end of my marriage, but it's less crappy than before. So that's something. LOD´s last blog post...Stayin' klassy