I remember when I found out that I was going to become a mother for the first time. And during that magical 9 months, I heard many stories. “That was the most pain I’ve ever been through, including the time I had a root canal, kidney stones, and a herniated disc at the same time.” “I had no idea that could happen. I’ll never be able to pee the same way again.” “If that man comes near me one more time, I’ll….” Well, this is a family blog, so I won’t finish that sentence.

It’s easy for many of us to say the words “the most important thing in my life is my child” but never is it more important to live those words than when you’re dating as a single parent. How and when you introduce you children to someone new really has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them and making them feel secure about the situation.

So, you’ve met Mr. Right or at least a possible candidate. And as we all know, there is no way to confirm that he is actually the “real thing” until he has been introduced to the kids and you see how everyone interacts. And that means getting to the next step: Setting up the introduction.

In the beginning stages, when you’re thinking about introducing your child to someone new, it’s important to remember that you and your child may be on 2 different timelines: You may be excited about this new stage in your life while your child may be dreading the changes he/she knows are on the horizon. If you’ve been through a divorce or suffered a loss, chances are you child knows that you may not want to be alone forever. And that means more adjustments for them.

Is it appropriate for Cosmopolitan Magazine to have Selena Gomez on the cover of their March 2012 issue? I realize that she is not the wide-eyed girl she once was. And that’s okay. But when her target audience is comprised mainly of young girls who will see this magazine at every grocery store…is it right to have her picture surrounded by headlines for sex tips?

In this series of blogs, the “Kid Blenders,” I will be addressing our challenges, trying to blend our two families together. The names of the children will be changed to spare the easily embarrassed. And let me be upfront about this: I’m no clinical expert. I’m just a single mom trying to figure life out as I go. But knowing that there are around 14 million single parents out there…I’m guessing that I’m not alone in this venture.

You wouldn’t let your child ride in a car without a seatbelt or ride a bike without a helmet. As good parents we protect our children…just in case. Life-insurance is part of that protection.

I have a picture of it, but you actually had to see it to believe it. My parents’ home, filled to the brim with holiday merriment and various people. Some related, some not, and in keeping with Southern tradition…some we’re still not sure about.

Some schools across the country have adopted a no-tolerance program when it comes to transgressions such as tardiness, cursing, and ditching.

I’m not gonna lie to you. When people start talking finance…I completely glaze over. I’m okay with the day to day basics, but when it comes to stocks, bonds, Dows, and percentages…I know I’m a lost cause. That’s why, when I was left to fend for my financial self after the death of my husband, I retained the services of Certified Financial Planner™ Kristi Sullivan of Sullivan Financial Planning, LLC.

It seems like for the past few months, I’ve been asking myself over and over, “Were certain things in life always this aggravating? Are people getting more exasperating or am I just getting older and more crotchety?” And, lately, I’m usually asking myself that question while I’m at the grocery store.