Any helpful hints for a single mom of 2 boys...?

Bring them up learning a love of the outdoors.In return they will develope a better understanding of the world and themselves.I had no father and it was my love of nature that kept me from any big trouble.46years later it is still working. Apply to Big Brothers as it worked for me when I was young.

First of all -- sign them up for Scouting, and DO volunteer to help out -- not only will this make you a "really cool" mom in their eyes, you can also spend some quality time with your sons too.

Then ... sit down with the boys, and tell them that every member of the household is EXPECTED to contribute to the success of the home -- and that means that they will need to help out with the chores -- the Laundry, the Dishes, learning how to cook and clean, as well as taking out the trash and vacuuming -- including putting their own clothes away and learning how to IRON Their shirts when they are needing ironing!

I put up a schedule of the week's chores -- and with two children -- I am sure you have daily laundry -- so day 1 (you), day 2 (older son), day 3 (younger son) and back to start again. Do the same with toilet cleaning, Dishes being washed, and ... At mealtimes, everyone needs to sit down and eat together.

At the end of the day (and there is scheduled homework time), they MUST put their school stuff together in the backpack, and place right next to their shoes/jacket near the front door for the next morning. They also can help make their sandwiches and pack the non-perishables for their lunchboxes too just before bedtime --- and leave the open lunch boxes on the stove so that they are easy to fill first thing in the morning.

I am a single mom of one...I try to make a dinner Sunday night that is large enough to have left overs for Monday night. Tuesday and Wednesday my daughter has dance so we do something quick like mac and cheese with carrot sticks. One night a week we get something off of the dollar menu at Wendy's or McDonald's.

I have my daughter lay out her clothes and help make her lunch every night before she goes to bed. You would be amazed how fast it goes if you tell kids no TV until their responsibilities are done. I find that she has better self esteem getting to pick out her clothes and food for school. The mornings go SO much faster now. I get to work on time every day now rather then every other.

Good luck..feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

do fun-filled activities with them(e.g. buying clothes togethe,shopping for a holiday,etc.) im not a single mom but im a mom of 5 and my hubby doesnt help much