Finding Joy in the Holidays

The holidays are about finding joy. Joy in the small moments – hanging ornaments on the tree – and joy in the big ones – seeing the look on a child’s face on Christmas morning.

It’s important not to let all the rush and activity steal your joy. We love iMoms’s toolkit of cherishing the holidays without losing yourself or your sanity.

Looking to make Christmas magical on a budget? Check out Save Time and Money This Christmas: 12 Tips for Online Shopping

Worried the kids will drive you crazy over Christmas Break? Then 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Kids During Christmas Vacation is for you.

If your child won’t be with you as much as you’d like over the holidays, take the time to plan things you can look forward to with 9 Things You Should Do When Your Kids Aren’t Home.

No matter what, we want you to know that just being you is more than enough. It’s the gift your kids are truly thankful for this year. We look forward to sharing more tips on Facebook and Instagram that will help you enjoy the season. Happy Holidays!

Welcoming Dads to the Forward Foundation Family

Nearly 19 million American children are being raised by single parents — that’s moms and dads. In fact, 3.23 million children are living with single fathers in America, and that number is increasing every day.

That’s why we’ve expanded to support working, single parents and their children. We are excited about putting together programming geared specifically to the challenges faced by single fathers.

Having a safe place to be vulnerable, understood and supported by others going through similar circumstances is crucial not only to a dad’s mental wellbeing, but to their children as well.

Because when the parent feels supported, they can better support the needs of their children.


We welcomed our first group of dads to the Forward Foundation family at our Axes and Allies event at The Virginia Axe Company. You’ll see more Forward Foundation programs providing single dads with community support and resources geared specifically towards their challenges.

If you know a dad facing the challenges of single parenthood, let him know that he’s not alone. Reach out to us at info@forwardfoundationva.org for more information on our new programs for single fathers.

Supporting What You Need, When It Works For You

Solo parenting puts all of the stress on you. Classes growing up weren’t designed to teach you how to handle these situations. But now that it’s become a reality, those feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted and isolated are bombarding you.

Being a single parent is hard!

Know that you’re not alone, and we’re here to help with support that gives you tools to manage life’s challenges.

We are excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with Susan Townsend Holt Family Life Coach LLC to offer evening family coaching sessions for our parents and their children. Parents received practical support and asked our subject matter expert questions from the comfort of their home while kids did their homework and played in the same room.

Our support programs are designed to work for you and your family’s schedule. Because your life’s balance and joy matter to Forward Foundation.

Reach out to us at info@forwardfoundationva.org to find out which coaching sessions we’ll be offering next.

Strength Comes From A Community: How Forward Foundation Can Help You

Strength comes from many places. It comes from within and from the support of others. When you have a community that cares, you can move forward and focus on what matters most.

Finding herself alone and struggling, Stephanie dropped out of high school to work and care for her siblings. But that wasn’t how she wanted her story to go.

Now Stephanie is making a difference for families by teaching financial literacy programs like the ones offered by Forward Foundation. Because when your foundation is strong, you can build beautiful things.

Raising a family on your own is one of the most challenging things you can do, but you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to us to find out how our community of caring can help you with childcare assistance, personal and professional education and peer support.

Read this when youre having a bad mom day

Mommas, your job is exhausting. You wake up every day and put your children before yourself. Whether that be cooking meals, making sure everybody gets where they need to be, taking care of the pets, or making sure each child feels your love. Morning and night, you care for your kiddos…but where do your wants and needs fit into that equation? When do you stop pushing yourself to the back burner? What happens when you breakdown and have a really bad mom day?

Read this.

Let me reiterate my first sentence. Your job is exhausting and every human being has a limit. As parents, your limits will likely be met far more often than not. It’s all about how you choose to handle the situation. As a child, I am fully aware of my ability to poke my mom and poke her hard. I am also fully aware of what it is like to be poked back due to my mindless behavior. Something children seem to forget, no matter their age, is the simple fact that our parents are human and trying their best every single day. Sometimes that means having bad days. I remember the age I started to realize that my mom had her own daily struggles, yet still woke up and cared for my sisters and me like she didn’t. She was superwoman in my eyes and that became more apparent the older I got. While talking about life in the last few years, we talked a lot about “mom guilt” and “having bad mom days.” Or at least that’s what she liked to call it. Really, they were just bad days and she was still a kick-a$$ mom.

It’s important for moms to remember you are not alone in your bad days. You are not alone in your anger and frustration. Most importantly, that you aren’t a bad mom for having those days. I think it’s common to feel shame or embarrassment when it comes to losing your cool but as moms it’s important to normalize those feelings; especially for each other. Whether the “bad mom” moments happen in a public place or behind closed doors, it never seems to settle well. I want to know why kids are allowed “bad days” but moms aren’t? Give yourself some grace, mommas. It is okay to have bad days and heck, even put yourself in timeout. Listen to your mind and body because it is telling you what it needs. Take care of you and that will allow you to love your children harder than ever. Forgive yourself for your trip ups and find humor in the sad moments. You’re doing a great job.

Sincerely,

Raised by a Good Momma

 

 

 

 

 

Author:

Danielle Warren, Marketing Intern

 

Hi, I’m Danielle Warren! After earning my Bachelor’s in Communication Science and Disorders from James Madison University, I took a different route than initially planned. While pursuing a second degree in Nursing, I am proud to work alongside my mom with the Forward Foundation. Single mothers have a very special place in my heart and it is an honor to be a part of something so wonderful. Serving as the marketing intern, I am learning lots of new skills when it comes to getting the word out.

Read This When You Want to Participate in a Charitable Virtual Event

Have you been searching for fun, safe ways make a difference in the lives of those most in need? Mark your calendars, GO FORWARD Team Ride is the event for you!

  1. What GO FORWARD Team Ride is

GO FORWARD Team Ride is a virtual, family friendly event, sponsored by the Goddard School in Ashland, Virginia. It takes place anytime and anywhere between now to November 1st. Virtual participants have the option to ride, walk, or run. Anyone, any age is welcome to participate. All funds raised will go to supporting single moms by assisting them with day care expenses and job training skills.

  1. Ways to be creative when participating

We encourage everyone to exercise their bodies as well as their minds as they brainstorm unique ways to participate. Here are some suggestions:

  • Consider searching for local bike rentals
  • Ride your stationary bike, walk or run on your treadmill or elliptical at home or at a gym
  • Check out trails near you on apps like AllTrails
  • Utilize strollers or tricycles to walk or ride around the block with small children
  • Pick an enticing end destination (Starbucks, bagel shop) to engage older children
  • Incorporate social media by posting pictures with hashtag #goforwardtogether for a chance to be featured on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
  1. How to make a difference

While much of the world has slowed and transitioned, our mission of “Empowering Action to Move Forward” has not been placed on pause. Your participation as a virtual rider, sponsor, or donor is the safest, simplest, and most effective way to support single working mothers in crisis as we adapt to ever-changing circumstances due to COVID-19. Here’s how you can help:

  • Register for free on our website
  • Donate directly to Forward Foundation via the donate button
  • Encourage others to join you and support you with a pledge of $1.00 per mile/lap
  • Buy a GO FORWARD Team Ride T-shirt

 

MOVE to help single mothers and their children move forward with us! All links are attached in the article and below:

Register: https://bit.ly/33XrdM2

Donate: https://bit.ly/37gO1bs

Buy a T-shirt: https://etsy.me/3iZjzF1

Our website: https://bit.ly/355nbjW

 

 

 

Author:

Lindsey Daniels, Marketing Intern

Read This When You Feel Under Appreciated

Moms, today, you will receive an inside look into the mind of a daughter. I share a glimpse into what many sons and daughters think but too often fail to express. After you finish reading this and go about your life, I hope that you carry these words with you in the back of your mind. I hope that they encourage you and warm your heart. You deserve it.

We will drive you to doubt it at times.  

My relationship with my Mom has seen the highest of highs and some of the lowest of lows. At a young age, I battled with severe mental health disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and an anxiety disorder. On and off for about eight years, they were debilitating and controlled almost all aspects of my life. I missed months of school at a time, desperate to hide from my fears, rather than facing them. I doubted if life would ever get better. My mother refused to let me give up, whatever it took or cost. So, I pushed her away. I refused her demands, her advice, her pleas, her comfort, everything. I took my fear out on her and she did the same. For years she fought for me when I couldn’t find the strength to fight for myself. She saved my life. I never gave her enough credit for that, or even thanked her.

After I took my life back, I did a lot of pushing of boundaries and acting selfishly in my teenage years. I would keep her up late at night. I would choose a party over family time or being by her side in times of need. I would ask for too much, taking advantage of her generosity. I am ashamed.

We see you. 

You continuously put on a brave face for your family, valiantly shielding us from the real burdens of the world. You speak positively and attempt to conceal your emotions. Sometimes, you confide in us, but not to the extent that you might like to. I notice. I see the exhaustion on your face, the fear and distress in your eyes. I hear the strain in your voice. I proudly watch as you get up every morning and go to work, no matter how badly you might wish you didn’t have to. I observe you transform back into “Mom mode” later that day. You devote hours to fulfilling our basic needs and spending quality time. You give us your ears for listening, your kind words for encouragement, and your arms for comfort. I notice as your eyes become heavy and you fall asleep on the couch, while the rest of us watch TV. I see you. We see you.

You are a superhero. Never doubt it. 

Many of our worlds revolve around you. Many of our experiences are because of you. Many of our favorite physical and personality traits are from you.Many of your actions and decisions are made with you in the back of our minds. Many of our dreams and goals are modeled after yours. Many of our heroes are you. Think of yourselves as highly and appreciatively as your children do. Love yourself as infinitely as your children do. You deserve it.

Thank you,

Grateful daughter

 

 

 

Author:

Lindsey Daniels, Marketing Intern