Were you raised by a single mother? Single Mom Appreciation is a writing competition and a way to acknowledge your feelings about your mother. Follow the steps below and you can be one of the lucky winners. The three chosen stories will be posted on our website and blog. It will also be acknowledged via all our social networks.
Dare to make a difference. Give a single mom a gift for mother’s day. Donate $25 in your mother’s name. http...://www.amomshelpinghandofswfl.com/donate.html 1. Follow us on Twitter (@SWFLHelpingHand) and Instagram (amomshelpinghand) 2. “Like” our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/amomshelpinghandofswfl) 3. Add #amhhmoms #mothersdaychallenge to your post. 4. Share this message. 5. Tell us about your mother. How was it being raised by a single mother? How has your mother inspired you? If you could only thank your mother for one thing what would it be? 1. Email amhh@comcast.net 2. Subject line: I love my mother 3. Minimum 500 words. 4. Attach a picture of your mother
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By: Michelle Peterson As a child, I thought being a Valentine’s baby was the best thing ever. As far as I could tell, February 14th was the greatest day of the year to have a birthday. A shoebox full of love notes from all my classmates? And free candy? And birthday presents, too? Yes, that was basically my childhood dream-come-true. Of course, then I hit adulthood. Eventually, Valentine’s Day came to represent something entirely different. After experiencing Valentine’s Day as a single adult, I soon realized that Valentine’s Day is tough on singles - regardless of whether or not you’re a Valentine’s baby. Here’s a little secret though: February 14th doesn’t have to be a terrible day just because you’re single. It’s possible to survive Valentine’s Day without a significant other at your side. Here’s a “Single on Valentine’s Day” Survival Guide… Valentine’s Survival Tip #1... Treat Yo’Self! If you’re a fan of the show Parks and Rec, you already know that the characters Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle were onto something with their slogan “treat yo’self.” The idea of treating yourself to your heart’s desires simply because you deserve it, applies to any day of the year - not just Valentine’s Day. Of course, if you do find yourself single on February 14th, consider it the perfect day of the year to take Tom’s and Donna’s advice. Make “treat yo’self” your Valentine’s Day anthem. Treat yourself to a date at your favorite restaurant. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage. Treat yourself by spending the extra money for the special hot stone massage with aromatherapy (because you love the soothing smell of lavender oil). Afterwards, treat yourself to the finest dark chocolate candy bear that your local chocolate shoppe has to offer. Treat yo’self. Because you deserve it. Valentine’s Survival Tip #2… Find the Other Singles Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a miserable day, spent moping around the house all alone while your friends celebrate their perfect love with their perfect soulmates. Think of Valentine’s Day as the perfect opportunity to meet other singles who, like yourself, are looking for love. As Dating coach Harris O’Malley points out, Valentine’s Day “is a holiday designed to make you feel like the loneliest [person] on the planet. I promise you: you’re not. There are many, many people sitting around on Valentine’s Day, feeling exactly the same way you do.” Adding to the optimism, Facebook data shows that over 70% of “Facebook official” couples list Valentine’s Day as their official first date, and it remains the highest overall day for people to enter a new relationship. Valentine’s Survival Tip #3… Don’t Take It Too Seriously Contrary to what the greeting card stores will tell you, Valentine’s Day as we know it today was created to sell factory-made cards during the industrial revolution of the 19th century. By 1913, Hallmark had jumped on board... and it worked! Valentine’s Day has skyrocketed to become the 2nd most popular card-sending holiday, topped only by Christmas. What the cards don’t tell you, however, is that Valentine’s Day has dark origins and even the stories about Saint Valentine being martyred were probably fabricated. So next time you start feeling down for being single on Valentine’s Day? Remind yourself that it is really just another day of the year. Spending Valentine’s Day as a single adult doesn’t mean you have to endure a day of bitterness, resentment and misery. With some creativity, determination and positive attitude, you can reframe Valentine’s Day to be a celebration. Don’t take it too seriously. Instead, just use it as an excuse to treat yourself to the finer things in life. Celebrate self care and remember to love yourself. You deserve it, today and everyday. Guest Columnist Michelle Peterson has been in recovery for several years. Her mission is aligned with that of RecoveryPride, which is to celebrate sobriety and those who achieve it. The United States leads the world in fatherless families. Nearly 40% of children in father-absent homes have not seen their dad during the past year, and more than half of all fatherless children have never been in their dad’s home. The number of children being raised by single mothers more than tripled between 1960 and 2000.
When it's 10:00 p.m. and your kids are in bed. You're stressed from the endless work to be done and you slump down on the kitchen floor crying, wondering how you will do it all again tomorrow, YOU'RE NOT ALONE! When you are at the grocery store trying to decide if you should purchase the shampoo and conditioner so your daughter can go to school with clean hair tomorrow or that last item or two you need for dinner, YOU'RE NOT ALONE! When your child's birthday is around the corner and you don't know how to tell them you just don't have the money for a party, not even one at home, YOU'RE NOT ALONE! You're looking through the want ads wishing you had the skills to land you that perfect job, YOU'RE NOT ALONE! School supply lists just arrived and the kids are so eager to get back to school. You on the other hand are trying to figure out how to purchase all the supplies they need to be prepared the first day or to pay the utility bills, YOU'RE NOT ALONE! You're a child of a single mom dealing with issues no child should ever have to face. Wishing things could change and other kids your age understood, YOU'RE NOT ALONE! A Mom's Helping Hand of SWFL is dedicated to assisting single moms and their children in the SWFL area. Contact us and let us show you that you no longer have to go it alone! By Allison Herrin
Mother’s Day is a celebration! We love ALL things mom right? Why wouldn’t we? Moms are heroes. Most moms don’t do it because they have to. They do it because there is no sweeter joy on the planet than that of a being a mom. They do it because it is a calling and this new found love that only exists after becoming a mom fuels everything they do. For the single mom Mother’s Day is a day where she often feels more inadequate than ever. She is reminded that there is no one there to help her celebrate and her children probably don’t know how to make this day a special one. She remembers that she is tired and carry’s some very heavy burdens alone! She wants the world to know that she really wouldn’t choose to do it alone. No one would, would they? She just wants a healthy, well rounded and stable life for her family. She is just like every other mom only with no one to lean on. Now don’t get me wrong, many single moms do ok, but we were not designed to do it alone so it is inevitable that they are going to feel burdened at some point. Motherhood is a choice that we make every single day to put others needs before our own but for the single mom it is an infinitely harder choice. Not because she loves her children less than you do. Not because she wants any less for her kids than greatness but because she is tired. It’s that simple. She is EVERYTHING to her family and she is exhausted! There is no dad to step in when she desperately needs a break. We all know a single mom or at least know of one. How can we not when they represent 50% of our population? Will you consider doing something special for that single mama you know? What about for that one you don’t know personally but you know of her? I bet you will be blessed even more than she is if you give it a shot! I remember when I was a single mom, a young woman named Katie would come to the office with her toddler son dressed in a tuxedo. She would deliver to all the single moms she knew a simple rose. It was the only time that I remember someone else thinking of me and how I must feel on what should be a memorable day for all moms. That simple act of kindness for that moment made me feel more valued and treasured than any other time during my single parenting years. Imagine for a moment no one ever thinking of you or giving you something special. Imagine feeling completely alone without anyone to help figure things out with? That is the life of so many single moms. Will you change that for them? Need some help deciding what you can do?
Got some other ideas? Share the love by leaving a comment. I spoke with a single mom the other day that said she's heard of our program. When I asked why she hasn't gotten involved her reply was one that I think many can relate to. She told me she didn't want to go to a meeting alone where she doesn't know anyone as its a bit intimidating and in her current situation she is not in need of any of the "financial" aspects of the program.
Imagine her suprise when I told her very few of the moms knew each other before they found AMHH.... That however has not stopped them from becoming part of the family. And that is exactly what we are, a family. I invite any single mom to our support group meeting tonight. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Not a single mom but want to get involved with support group meetings? Give us a call to find out how you can get involved. The LARGEST flock of Flamingos to hit Lee County! A flock of 160 flamingos has taken roost in Cape Coral. Thank you to all that came out to make it possible!
Send a flock for a special occasion or just because: http://www.amomshelpinghandofswfl.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Every one of us has a story, some are about romance, adventure and others are heartwarming, inspirational or dramatic. Sometimes things go wrong. Tragedy strikes or you simply veer off course. Sometimes revisions need to be made, characters need to be adjusted or a lesson is learned. The story simply needs a little editing in order to write a better ending.
A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL (AMHH) is helping single moms write a new chapter to their stories.
Stories such as of the mom who was unemployed, no basic household necessities or gas in the car to get to the store. She needed a helping hand, and we provided one. By providing the basic household needs through our Bare Necessities Program, we even met her at a gas station and filled her tank. Months later, she had a new job. She’s kept her job—and things a little easier—because AMHH offered hope, support…and a tank of gas.
Stories of a courageous widow who was referred to us just two months after her husband’s passing. When she was faced with a tragedy of losing her husband she had to put her grieving aside to become the sole provider of her five children, including one with special needs. AMHH stepped in with emotional support, encouragement and friendship. Thanks to our Christmas Adoption Program, she was able to worry about one less thin during the holidays. It is A Mom’s Helping Hands mission to building strong and stable lives through resources, education, and training and life skills. Would you consider joining us in helping more single moms build strong, stable lives and write a happier, more fulfilling story? A generous investment can make a difference:
This year AMHH has set ambitious fundraising goals. These funds will provide for programs such as a new workforce training program that will help single moms acquire much-needed skills, and life skills that are essential part of being able to meet the challenges of everyday life. Will you join us in editing a single mother’s story into one of self-confidence, independence, and high self-esteem? When we strengthen single parent families, we strengthen our communities, too. With your support A Mom’s Helping Hand can continue to reduce the suffering of those in need of assistance, and write happier chapters in their life stories. I’m standing in line at the checkout with my 4 kids as Christmas tunes are played over the intercom. The only thing I had in mind to accomplish was to purchase much needed toilet paper…and my patience was growing thin. Shopping carts crammed full with toys and treats lined the aisles and the lyrics screaming a Holly Jolly Christmas were spinning violently in my head.
In that moment… nothing at all was JOLLY. My eyes were heavy from lack of sleep and a never-ending to-do list in hand, I stood there in the checkout line feeling desperate to hold myself together. I could feel the tears falling helplessly down my cheeks as my 8-year-old pokes me with another item that he wants to “add to his Christmas list.” There’s just something about Christmas that turns everything upside down. What’s supposed to be a joyous celebration of Jesus becomes a horrid reminder of all that is lacking in life. The Christmas cards trickle in with happy smiling families, Facebook friends sharing pictures of holiday parties that I’ll never get to attend, and carols buzz on about the perfect and wonderful life that everyone but me seems to have. It’s funny how easily we convince ourselves that everything else in the world is absolutely perfect when everything in OUR world is absolutely unbearable. If we could stop even for a second to see the truth, it would be so very obvious that suffering and pain is no stranger to the holiday season. Lost loved ones, financial trouble, family drama, serious illnesses and so many other circumstances find themselves ever more devastating this time of the year. Despite the image that is portrayed, everyone does not have a Martha Stewart Christmas tree that they will gather around singing carols with a whole and healthy family. But sometimes, it just feels that way. This is such a hard struggle that many single parents share. It’s true. Sometimes it feels like we are swimming upstream in a gutter. Standing there in the check-out line I was reminded that while the circumstances might be overwhelming and the temptation to slip into despair was stronger every minute, God is fully in control. SO HOW CAN A SINGLE MOM FIND PEACE IN THE DARK CIRCUMSTANCES? Quiet Time Despite the busyness, we cannot neglect to spend quality time for ourselves. A nice bubble bath after the kids have drifted off to sleep, a cup of tea as we sit down to read our favorite book, or simply sitting in the silence having a moment to think. Scripture For some, meditating on Scripture is the only way to can keep the mind focused on God. Find a few verses that speak to you and write them down. Post them where you can see them or keep them in your purse/pocket. When Jesus was facing persecution by the lies of Satan, He fought back with Scripture. Count Your blessings It probably goes without saying that if we focus on what we lack, it will consume us. Our focus must be on the blessings that we do have. I know what it’s like when being thankful is hard. I have lived those moments when it seems like there absolutely cannot be a single positive thought to have. And I’ve learned that the enemy convinces us to stay there. Yes, the days might be dark and the bills might pile high. The storm might rage on and our hearts might bleed raw. BUT…we are still blessed. There is still light at the end of the tunnel. Reach out to your support system. If you don’t have one, get one! AMHH Serve others This year, serving is the focus of our Christmas festivities through 12 Days of Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. Tomorrow begins RAK for AMHH. Be on the lookout, you just might see us spreading some cheer! After all, long after the latest toys are broken and shoved under the bed, the memories that we make with our children will be treasured in their hearts! Let’s go make some memories this Christmas, shall we? I didn’t set out to be a single mom–it’s not what was in the plans. But here I am. And I am doing well.
I like to use Thanksgiving as a time to reflect on what being a mother means to me, and all the things I am grateful for. First, of course, is my amazing children. God has blessed me with four bright and amazing children. One of the blessings that has come from being a single mom, is that I have had to pay so much more attention to my kids—getting to know them thoroughly, redeveloping how this family is going to act and react together, growing closer. We are a tight group. There is no one I’d rather spend time with than my kids. Anyone who would happen to stop by here on a random night, particularly when my oldest daughter is home from college, would probably find us laughing, spending time watching a movie together for family night, or a good old game we can all play together. We laugh until we can make no more sound. And then we laugh some more. Life is funny. We were meant to laugh. Second, as a single mom, I am grateful for all my other single mom friends. We don’t get to interact as much as we’d like to, but when we do, instead of sharing the frustrations (though there are times that we do share those), we mostly end up laughing–laughing at the situations we find ouselves in for survival. Spinning all the plates and keeping them from falling can lead to some funny situations when the plates do fall. I am grateful for those who help me be a single mom–for my job, for a sense of humor, so many more–too many to mention by names. I'm thankful that even if for only one day, I do not think of all that overwhelms me. A time to sit and reflect on how much I have to be thankful for! |