Both mother and father...

One positive and negative to being a full time single parent is that you must play roles of both mother and father... sometimes at the same time. This should fall under as a talent. You, and only you, have to be the one who they fear, love, get silly with, confide in, look up to, respect... It's a tall order when you are doing it on your own.

Here are some helpful tips on survivng the talent of being both mother and father:

1. extra hugs

2. snuggle time

3. little notes in their packed lunches

4. picking up their favorite snack just because

5. telling them how wonderful you think they are

6. rules, rules, rules

7. know and use the term "because I said so"

8. making them say "yes Ma'am"

And when you mess up (because you WILL mess up), remember you are just giving them things to talk to their therapist about when they grow up.