being a single mom

09.09.13
3
My 35th Birthday Two years ago from this exact weekend, I decided the best way to celebrate a milestone birthday (my 35th) was to do it with a group of my nearest and dearest girlfriends. Using every last bit of my savings — or checking– depending on how you look at it, (I admit, not one of my wisest moves), we spent the weekend at a nearby resort in an oceanside villa, drinking, laughing, eating, sunning, toasting, cheers-ing, walking, talking, drinking and taaaaawlking some more. It was my treat. My joy. My pleasure. My honor to spend a weekend with a group of women (including my mom and aunt) who were ...Read More
As I’ve mentioned many times before, once a month I attend “mommy school” with a bunch of my friends. We head to the Westside to seek the advice and guidance of the renowned Betsy Brown Braun. Each month we focus on various issues that have arisen for our 4 year olds (everyone in the class has children within a few months apart- so we’re all on the same “fucking fours,” page, as Betsy calls it). Anyway, a month or two ago, I expressed to Betsy that I was having a tough time containing Jonah’s energy– that more often than not, he is wild. She suggested that we set ...Read More
08.19.11
1
Here’s the thing: I like sports. I do. I like watching sports. I do. And it’s probably mostly because I like men… and chips (…and dip…and beer), but still, I like sports. I do. However, it’s a language, that doesn’t come naturally to me. I hear the announcers speaking. I hear words. English words, even… Yet, I simply do not comprehend. SIR, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. In fact, without fail, every Superbowl, I have to relearn what is happening. Generally speaking, of course, I know the importance of a touchdown or a defensive tackle (just kidding, I really don’t), but when it comes to following the ...Read More
I must confess: Up until last week, though I was fairly interactive and engaged in conversations through social media, I never considered my “followers” my actual friends. Sure, I told them about the silly fart and poop talk my 3 yo spews, but would I tell them about the serious conversation I have with my loved ones? NO. Sure, I uploaded adorable pictures of us having a lovely Mommy & Me baking session, but would I share a picture or video of him tantruming and me losing my mind? NO. Sure, I’ve declared how hard I worked out, but would I declare how much weight I want to lose? NO. ...Read More
Last night on the season finale of “The Bachelor,” Brad Womack chose Emily Maynard, the single mom from Charlotte, N.C. who’s tragic story of love and loss literally brought tears to my eyes each and every time she told it. I don’t know if it was how perfectly put together without looking cheesy (like bachelorettes so easily do) she always was, OR the fact that she was a single mom, but I was rooting for Emily from the beginning. Sure, the fact that she seemed closed off and dull concerned me, but the old producer (Bachelor producer, in fact) knew that there HAD to be more. That this guy could ...Read More
I recently started blogging for a fantastic website called GalTime. Thought I’d share with you a post I wrote about being a single mom and how it’s all too easy to live in “woe is me” land. While I certainly wouldn’t consider myself the poster child for single mothers everywhere (as all of our journeys are so very different), I will say that I think my advice, though simple and very literal, could help ease some of the anxieties that all moms face- single, separated, divorced, dating or happily hitched. Looking forward to your thoughts…. **** Single Moms: How to Minimize the “Woe is Me” By Jennifer Brandt on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 While the ...Read More
Well, it’s official. NOTHING in my life is cookie cutter.
It all starts Monday. I don’t know what it is about new year’s (and diets for that matter too), but no matter the day or date it falls on, my “new year” and the resolutions that I make and vow to keep don’t actually go in to effect, in my mind, until MONDAY. So it’s only fitting that I discuss my resolutions TODAY, the THIRD day of the New Year…. I’m sick of saying how challenging 2010 was, so let me share something that really happened to me as an example that really ought to sum up just what a cluster effer of a year this one was: 2 flat tires in 2 ...Read More
There are two kinds of people in life: People that burn toast (always), and people that do not (ever). I am a person that always burns toast. And eggs. But to be clear, this doesn’t make me a bad cook. It just means, that in addition to having lousy appliances and pans (because I believe if I had a better pan, said eggs would be “better”), that as my son gets older, I will be the butt of all cooking disasters and jokes. Because of my knack for burning bread, I will be deemed as a mom who can’t cook. “Don’t ask mom to make it!” Ha, ha, ha…. “Sure, you ...Read More
05.05.10
1
As mentioned a few weeks ago, I have officially become a single mom. This change in status not only comes with a slew of complex emotions and sadly, hairier legs, but also an onslaught of incessant mommy guilt…. which, as a working parent, who happens to work in the world of parenting, it can feel a little overwhelming. So, with a 2.5 year old little boy, my sensitivity level to what might ultimately eff him up for life (due to said divorce) is at an all time high… That said, I think it’s gone too far and Baby-Ko knows it. The kid is playing me. He hears the guilt ...Read More