Kindergarten Graduation, Take One

Ben graduated from kindergarten yesterday. No one told me to bring a huge box of Klee-nex.

He and his classmates sang "Rainbow Connection." Back in the day, I thought that Kermit the Frog did a good job of tugging at the heartstrings; little did I know a group of kindergartners could perform this Sesame Street classic with such sweetness. They completed the performance with the "Make New Friends But Keep the Old."

I found myself in reflection all day yesterday after the graduation. Perhaps it was because Ben's dad whisked him away after the ceremony for a long camping trip. Ben will be away for nine days and I was already missing him. Perhaps I realized, with some trepidation, that my baby boy is growing so quickly and I'm not doing a great job of drinking in these final months of little boy innocence. I know that sharing Ben with his dad is extremely hard on me right now. I'm feeling the void of him not being here much more profoundly and deeply lately.

Thankfully, I will have another year to let myself be enveloped by the simplicity of kindergarten as Ben is repeating it next year, due to his late birthday. I am reminding myself of how lucky I am to be able to experience this grade full of goodness (less the Sistine Chapel building project!) again. And another graduation, too. In the meantime, here are some pictures from my proud morning:

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?

Rainbows are visions,
They're only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told and some choose to believe it
Someday we'll find it, the Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me...

Make new friends

But keep the old...(even if the "old" defects to the "other" school!)

Congratulations, Ben! Your mommy thinks the world of you

When Two Is Easier Than One

Ben's favorite "boy friend" is Ean. Ben constantly asks me to coordinate play dates, preferably overnight, for himself and Ean.

I have to say, when Ean is around, it makes my life a lot easier. Having one child to constantly entertain can be more difficult than you could ever imagine, particularly when that one child has been spoiled rotten by endless attention from his doting mother, his fun father and his ever-present grandmother.

When Ean comes over, I'm actually able to get a few things done. Unlike the time when I'm alone with Ben and we spend hours with Hot Wheels and I try not to turn on the Cartoon Network or YouTube.

The love that Ben has for Ean is so pure and sweet, that at times, it makes me misty-eyed for the sibling he'll (most likely) never have. I dread having to take Ean home after their time together because, without fail, Ben will cry and ask over and over, "Why can't Ean live with me?"

Two weekends ago, the boys went swimming at the pool where I work:



Yesterday, we went to Pixie Woods in Stockton:



The boys played for four hours straight...



And I finally broke out my new camera!

Revelation

When you are invited to a high school graduation party for the daughter of one of your close girlfriends, you can officially put yourself in the "middle age" category.

I'm off to Forever 21. No explanation needed.

9 Things A Single Girl Has To Have

Yahoo never fails to provide endless entertainment for me and last week's feature, "9 Things A Single Girl Has To Have," was no exception.

Being the proverbial single gal, I decided to add my own (realistic) spin to the writer's suggestions. Her points are in italics, mine are in bold:

What provisions do you need to successfully and joyfully navigate your single life? After a little research, I compiled these fundamental single-gal necessities:


#1: The Third-Date Outfit
The first date's a formality. The second establishes mutual attraction. And the third date is all about turning up the heat. So whether it's those saucy black boots you splurged on at Bloomies, or that curve-hugging skirt, or even that sensual spaghetti-strap top, a single girl's gotta have something that makes her feel like a million bucks for that rare but fabulous third date.
Right, and apparently you also have to spend a million bucks to make it to Date 3. Saucy black boots, a curve-hugging skirt, and a sensual spaghetti-strap top? Is it just me or is anyone else thinking Julia Roberts, circa "Pretty Woman?" Yep, I'm quite sure that if I dressed up like a call girl, I'd pretty much secure the next three dates, which WOULD be a rare occurrence, as the writer suggests, but most likely would NOT fabulous. Oh, and we don't have anything known as Bloomies in Sacramento, unless you count the references to old lady panties at my place of employment, so clearly I'm out of luck on this one.

#2: Girlfriends
We make each other laugh, soothe each other through sadness, and stick together even through the toughest breakups, makeups, and in-between times. Gotta have our girlfriends!
Preferably the type of girlfriends who won't judge you for making horrible choices, both in the selection of whom you date, along with the activities that occur on said date. 'Nuff said.

#3: Self-Confidence
Singles should always follow this simple but effective mantra: Always look like you know what you're doing and that you're having fun doing it! Single men love confident women and will follow you all the way from the produce department to frozen foods just to find a way to say hi! When they do, smile confidently and say hi back.
Note to the writer: You must not have small children otherwise you would know that no amount of confidence can erase the fact that there is a (loud and demanding) 5-year-old child nearly vel-croed to your hip as you grin your way through Trader Joe's, Starbucks and the farmer's market. And the 5-year-old is usually not doing anything endearing that would prompt a cute, single guy to stop and compliment you on your perfect child, unless boogers, poop talk, and whining are now considered attractive.

#4: A Passport
After a big breakup, I decided to take my dream Mediterranean vacation. Somewhere between exploring ancient ruins and hiking a 12-mile gorge with a cute Air Force officer, I realized my ex would have hated this trip, which made me appreciate my experience all the more. And whenever I look at my passport, I smile at the fond memories of my singlehood adventure.
Nope, the writer definitely doesn't have small children. Otherwise she would know that a passport would likely expire long before a dream Mediterranean vacation or even a cheap and fast cruise to Baja could ever take place.

#5: The Perfect Workout
Working out is no longer about logging that hour of cardio on the treadmill. It's about finding what works best for you. So get out of that gym and have some fun! Whether it's hiking, biking, Pilates, yoga, or some combination thereof, hop to it!
Point taken, thank you very much. So I happen to work, breathe, socialize and otherwise exist at the neighborhood gym where the only other singles are over the age of 80.

#6: A Financial Planner
Most of our mothers went from their father's house to the sorority house to their husband's house. Not today's single gal. Most of us make enough money to live alone, give to charity, and still go on that amazing weekend getaway with the girls. But after awhile, it's time to get smart. Start planning for the future. And that's where a financial advisor comes in. Even in these troubled times, investing in the future is a safe bet.
Does anyone else in my close circle of friends think that this point is a little ironic? Hmmmmm. In case you're wondering, I didn't make this one up. I really didn't.

#7: A Sense of Adventure
As we get older and our responsibilities grow, we often find ourselves feeling saddled with commitments like mortgage payments, family obligations, job duties. But a single gal must never lose her sense of adventure. Whether that means jumping out of a plane, buying that fire-engine red dress, or flying to Vegas for an impromptu weekend of decadence, go for it!
Why do all the examples of the above point remind me of my ex-husband? Must be the references to "fire engine" and "Vegas," two things that should have been giant red flags. Call me boring, but after that relationship, I'm ready for a sense of adventure that involves planting a new flower, finding a better route to Ben's school, or, if I'm feeling really crazy, learning how to make sushi.

#8: A Hair Stylist
Most women put a lot of stock -- and product -- in our hair. And if we're not happy, it affects how we present ourselves to the world. So if you haven't already, splurge a little and find the perfect stylist to meet your needs. You won't regret it!
Gotta concur on this point. One word: Natalie.

#9: The Right Technology
I used to live with a boyfriend who had a surround-sound system. When we broke up, I held off on buying a new TV, speakers, or any other electronic devices for a long time. My logic was: The next boyfriend will have all that. After several short-term relationships involving tech-savvy men and their toys, I eventually invested in my own system. Whether it's a home theater system, a decent computer, or just an iPod with your fave tunes, it's time to take stock of what you may be waiting for a mate to provide. And immediately provide it for yourself.
Duh...! Is this 1949 or 2009?

So there you have it. The top nine essentials for today's single gal. May you learn it, love it, and live by it. (And with that flirty self-confidence and perfectly coifed 'do, may you look good doing it, too!)
Indeed, there you have it. Shouldn't these pointers fall under the title of "9 Things A Superficial and Shallow Girl Has To Have?" I'm just saying...

What's Up With My Post?

Google has me confused. I began to edit a post, worked on it for a few minutes here and there, then finally published it today. Only, because I had begun to work on it on May 7th, the post fell way, WAY down on the blog.

I'm sure that all my single friends would be sad to miss the valuable tips in the post although most of you probably won't care about the must haves of the single gal. On second that, the happily married might appreciate a brief moment of gratitude for the institution (and security) of marriage.

So in the interest of the lovely (and single) Jessica and perhaps Ann, as well, both of whom might really relate to this post, someone tell me...why does Google bury certain posts and how do you get them to appear in the order that they are actually published?

Pilates In Public

I had to work a Vendor Fair one night last week at a gym that I occasionally am called in to teach for. In the interest of keeping my job there, I'll keep the name to myself, suffice to say that it rhymes with the possessive version of cold. Or mold.

The gym is located in the Natomas area and if you are from Sacramento, I don't need to tell you that this area has definitely lots its luster in the last couple of years. It's quite possible that I am the oldest instructor at the gym and also possible that I am part of a very, very small group that has not had any augmentation. Nor do I wear the too tight, very colorful "hot pants" that seem to grace the bottom half of every single female there. Oh no, I am the older "hippy" girl, wearing a loose tank top, baggy pants and sporting a little braid across my forehead.

I am digressing. Again.

So anyway, this gym has more silicone than muscles, if you know what I mean and a Vendor Fair is just an excuse to bring the Hooters girls in, in full Hooters garb, and serve up some wings while everyone admires the scantily dressed gym members.

The gym management was kind enough to set me up with a table, some brochures and a Reformer, all of which were placed away from the Hooters action and directly in the center of the weight room floor. Lucky me.

But I didn't realize how screwed I was, in terms of where I would be "vending" Pilates services, until the gym manager came up to me and said, "We'd like you to get on the Reformer and actually demo the machine."

Now anyone familiar with the Pilates method of exercise on the Reformer knows that being on the machine is kinda like going to the OB GYN, sometimes worse. Your feet go in straps, your legs move around in circles and straddles, the pelvis goes up and down in a bridging movement...I think you get the point. There's a reason that the trainers call our version of exercise "Naughty Pilates."

Back to my story.

I reluctantly agree to demo something on the machine, while thinking, "I should have asked for double time for this gig, particularly since I'm taking orders from someone who, muscles aside, is half my age and certainly has half a brain."

I place my toes on the back of the Reformer and execute a G-rated lunge. Two male trainers are instantly at my side. "Wow, you are LIMBER!" the first says. Trainer 2 adds: "When are you gonna put your foot behind your head? We're all waiting for that." And he gestures toward an army of trainers, lurking near by.

To which I reply, "The Hooters girls are taking over the machine in an hour. You want limber? Those gals have got it goin' on! In the meantime, I hear they've stripped down to bikinis and are considering a wet t-shirt contest."

The trainers flee and I plop down on a chair and finish my shift, slightly nostalgic for the days of sitting in a board room with fully dressed and highly educated individuals.

How To Date A Single Mom

Recently, I was asked an interesting question by a single, mid-40s, childless guy:

“How do I get a copy of the manual for dating women with children?”

Ahhh, the elusive guidebook to (successfully and happily) dating a single mom. I don’t actually have a copy of the manual in question but, having had nearly three years of experience in the role of single mother and a couple of dating relationships under my belt, I do have a few ideas on the subject.

I’ve always believed that single mothers give heroic parts of themselves to give their children good homes. But it wasn’t until I became a single mom that I realized how genuinely difficult the task was and how draining it can be, every day and every hour. There are many, many times when I’ve thrown up my hands and said, quite emphatically, “I’m not dating until Ben is 10 years old! No, fifteen! It’s not worth it. I can’t do it!”

However. I do think that it is important for single parents and especially for single mothers, to date. Single mothers are notorious for giving, giving, giving and don’t take much in return. Dating allows a single mom to slip out of her everyday roles, even for a brief evening, and to cultivate an identity that does not involve racing out the door at 8am while barking orders and grabbing at backpacks, lunch boxes, and permission slips. In the company of an adult male, a single mom might momentarily forget the guilt she feels over working too much and the stresses of financial matters. For a few short hours she will not have to issue a time-out, she will (hopefully) not have to clean up poop and she can actually share a meal with another person who does not demand her to be a short-order cook, dishwasher and kitchen manager, all at the same time.

If you’re still reading, even after that last sentence, you must really want to make the relationship work with a single mother. So, here’s how to do it:

Don’t be fake

Don’t feign interest in a single mom, just so that you can have a fling. I can see through this ruse more clearly and quickly than you’ll ever imagine. Having a 5-year-old male means that my “BS meter” is constantly on high alert and I am perceptive enough to know when I am being duped. Be genuine and sincere, be yourself, and I will welcome the opportunity to spend time with you. A man who is sincere and shows genuine interest with no ulterior motive is any girl’s dream whether she is a single mom or not.

Don’t be fake, part two

You can’t just be genuine with the mom, you also have to be genuine with her child. If it does get to the point where you meet Ben, be yourself. Kids are almost always smarter than parents and will know when someone is being fake with them. Be nice, show genuine interest (anything involving Hot Wheels is a sure fire way to get my son’s attention), and soon you will find that your efforts are reciprocated in spades.

Honor thy single mother’s bedtime

I have a bedtime and so does every other single mother that I know. We have to: it’s called survival. On a good day, my son will sleep until 6:30am; on a normal day, it’s more like 6am. That doesn’t leave a lot of leeway for me to be up late. Not that I want to be. After 14 hours of parenting, working, and juggling the many other tasks in my daily life, I have no interest in seeing anything past 10:00pm on the face of the clock. There are very few events that will entice me to stay up late. I’ve found that, on a work night or a “Ben” night, it’s just not worth it. A rested version of me is much more happy, sane and even-keeled than the tired version. It’s okay if you’re a night owl; just don’t expect me to become one.

Romance her (a little)

You don’t need to be a single mom to appreciate a little bit of romance, but the single mom will definitely appreciate the romantic attention you provide. For me, this doesn’t mean flowers or jewelry. But a sweet text or an email saying that you are thinking of me, or even just checking in to see how the Ben’s doctor appointment went or how my work day is going, will go a long way.

Be flexible

Flexibility is key when dating a single mom because she is always juggling a lot at once and has no one to share her responsibilities with. I may be certain on one day that I can make plans with you, but then have to cancel at the last minute if my ex gets called to work, if Ben has a long and sleepless night (which happens way more than I’d like), or if my mother is too tired to babysit. Be understanding of these scenarios. Don’t sulk. Re-group and try again.

Consider your own plans for the future

Unless I specifically say that I’m looking for something open-ended or casual (which would be highly unlikely), carefully give some thought as to whether you want to have a stepchild. Or not. Daunting? Yes. Realistic? You bet. Consider whether you even like kids. Not everyone wants to be a parent and being childfree is a valid choice, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too. The single mom comes with kids. Obviously. You might be able to avoid interacting with them or even seeing them for several months but that won’t last forever.

Be open-minded

You may not have ever envisioned yourself becoming involved with a single mom, but the right situation (and woman) can change your perspective greatly. Single mothers bring the blessings that come with loving and being loved by a child, and that’s an amazing experience.

Understand that her priorities are very different from yours

A single mom battles daily with unending priorities. She may not even be sure which ones are at the top all of the time because they all seem mission critical to her. That doesn’t mean that you aren’t a priority, but her priorities may shift on different days just depending on how the day goes. Some days you may find yourself wondering where you fall on her priority list, and this is where flexibility and communication come in.

Here’s what I have to say on priorities: If I’m including you in my life, then I want you to be in my life. Simple as that. Be flexible and communicate often, and I will find many ways to show you just how big a priority you are to me.

Be considerate of her time

The single mom is generally torn between her kids, her work, her family obligations, her social life, and a million other responsibilities that she has no one to share with. Given this, it’s a good idea to be a little considerate of the time in which she has to do all of those things. Case in point: If you call me up on a Saturday afternoon for a date that night, it is very likely I will turn you down. This will be no reflection on you, but more likely a matter of me simply having a 5-year-old who is counting on dinner and bedtime with his Mommy. It’s always a good idea to find out when my ex and Ben have vacation plans (which is quite frequent, I might add) and you can be a step ahead planning anything with me.

Offer to help

If I’m having an overwhelming day (which happens in my world more than I’d like to admit), it’s nice to have someone who steps up and offers to do something to lessen the load. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture of babysitting for hours on end while I take a spa day (although I would never say no to that) but can be as easy and as sweet as offering to read Ben a story before bed so that I can catch up on client calls.

Expect to have “The Talk” early on

Many men balk at The Talk in any relationship, even if they want the relationship to have some longevity. The Talk doesn’t mean that I want to push some guy to commit to a lifetime with me. Quite the contrary. I’ve found that The Talk is a great way to discover what page everyone is on. To be blunt, I don’t want to waste the time that I could spend with Ben on a guy who may or may not be into me for the long-term. It’s always okay if we want different things, and it’s okay to want something casual. Just be sure that I know that.

Understand that a single mom will be sad sometimes

When my son goes off to his dad’s, I’m always sad. The sadness is fleeting and it generally only lasts for a few moments each day but it’s something that I’ve learned to recognize as a normal part of a single mom’s attachment to her children. Very few of us single mothers got married and started a family with the idea that at some point, we would have to give up 50% of our time with our children. That’s a bitter pill to swallow and it’s a lot of time to miss out on. Expect a single mom to be a little blue now and then, especially around the holidays. It’s not “Prozac sad” but there’s definitely a sense of melancholy that can drift into and out of a single mom’s day without reason and certainly without notice.

You will, at some point, have to be involved with the children

Most single moms and single dads are hesitant to take this step until everyone is certain that the relationship has some staying power. Hesitancy is good in this case and should be honored. When the time is right, treat the occasion delicately, and treat it with the respect and appreciation it deserves. The first-time meeting WILL be nerve-wracking for you, and it will be for me as well, but I would not have you meet Ben if I didn’t want you to be part of our future.

It happens: The kids might not like you

Unlike dogs and kids, boyfriends, girlfriends and children don’t always mix well. Kids can be resistant, they can be jealous, they will be uncertain and they can be nasty. This has happened to me and it’s not fun. I always say that there is a window of time to capitalize on the innocence of children in this situation and it generally occurs between the age of two and six. In fact, it’s been my experience that you’re pretty much golden during these years because kids in this age bracket, by and large, welcome any new stranger into their lives with open arms and open hearts. Believe me, my son has been in love with every girl that my ex has dated and he has been equally accepting (if not less effusive) to the men that I’ve introduced him to (just two).

I think at some point, children realize that you are a threat to their mom’s time, you are a threat to their relationship with their dad, or you are just simply a threat that they don’t welcome. Let Mom handle this one. If this relationship has longevity, she will work on them. Keep being genuine, but most of all, have patience. With time, those kids will learn exactly why mom is so crazy about you. Hey, you got this far, didn’t you? Don’t back out now.

Know that you are likely getting a real prize

If you are considering a relationship with a single mom, it may seem at first like you are taking on more baggage than all the lost luggage claims that United processes in a day. It doesn’t have to be this way, and don’t go in thinking that. Single mothers are among the most mature, responsible, and loving people on the planet. They are always juggling something, but are adept and even good at slowing down the pace to sweep up a crying child and provide nurturing or to gather everyone together for a healthy meal and create some semblance of family and routine. Go in open-minded, patient, understanding, and most importantly, sincere. If this relationship is meant to be, the rest will fall into place.