I was listening to a single mom that was worrying about not spending enough time with her children because she was working 2 jobs and it brought back a lot of memories. When I was a single mom I was going to school full time and working at first one job, however, one job didn't pay the bills. I then was going to school full time, working a full and a part time job trying to make ends meet. Not only that, but my mom was helping all she could as well. She was free babysitting, bought groceries and paid for things!!! I had a family that stepped up to help. It was a really scary time and yet it was a fun time.
A lot of times our family night was at the dollar movie. We went to the movie on Wednesday because it was only 50 cents! (an answer to a single mom's prayer!!!) We would go to the dollar store and get a 2 or 3 drinks and a couple bags of candy or we would take popcorn that we made at home in my really big purse. I remember the fun of trying to get everything to fit in my purse and the kids excitement for the movie! Anytime I received a bonus from my part time job we would go to the batting cages of miniature golf! (I personally loved the batting cages... I could get a lot of my frustrations out!) My youngest son was very adept at sports and would beat us at miniature golf, or any other game we ended up playing! We would get pretty silly with the type of golfing shots we use to take. Sometimes people behind us would get annoyed with us so we would let them play through!!! I loved reading to my kids and playing with them. I read the Harry Potter books to them. I remember when they were staying with their dad for 2 weeks and the next Harry Potter book was coming out, the kids begged me not to read it until they got back. (I did not make that promise!!! Lol They were not happy!!!) They liked it better when I read it for the first time with them because they could get me to read past bedtime sometimes because I wanted to know what was going to happen in the next chapter as much as they did. I also was gone from home quite a bit because of all the extra jobs. There was more than one time that I worked a part time job to supplement. When the crash of the economy happened that about did me in. I was able to keep finding part time jobs! (Thank you Jesus!!!) I know that there were things happening that I didn't know about. Some of those things I am sure I still don't know about! There is one time when my youngest was in sixth grade that I got a call from Sandy Police asking me if I knew where my son was. My answer was apparently I don't. The police officer thought that was very funny. One of the best answers he had received! Lol I thought my son was in the basement watching a movie with his friend.... The police officer informed me that he had crawled out the window to meet a couple of girls!!!! (Yes in 6th grade!!! Sigh... ) Mikey informed me that Megan use to sneak out of the window and she never got caught and the first time he did it he got caught! Lol (I am so glad he got caught!!!) I wish I had the tools that I have now for dealing with my anxiety back then... There would have been even more fun times than we did. I did the best I could with the circumstance and tools I had then. I am Ally and I am imperfect and it is okay!!!! :)
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I am Ally. I am the center of my universe and I can determine whether to be a victim, survivor or thriver. At one time or another I have been all of the above... I am choosing to thrive!
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