2020

1 Rule – Just Show Up

Kelly Jo — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:45:09 +0000

This is for all my single dads out there. Really this is for all dads or for any parent. There is really only one rule to being a parent.

JUST SHOW UP

It really is that simple. Kids don’t want much. Heck they don’t understand life. For example, I had no idea if we were poor…rich…we struggled…or knew anything about finances. I had more clothes than my closet could hold. My house was huge…not really but I thought it was. And there is no way that I could eat all the food we had in the kitchen in a month. I played sports, went to sleepovers, had friends at my house, and pretty much got to do what I wanted as long as I followed my dads rules.

I was blessed to have a dad that cared. He worked hard and did all the worrying for me. As I child I do remember one thing. I remember my dad always being there for me. He just showed up. I was never the kid on the field looking for her parent. I was the kid in the dugout being ask who all those people were sitting by my dad. Daddy didn’t just SHOW UP, he brought a fan club. My whole family would come to most of my games.

I’m only here to encourage parents. I mostly talk about single dads…well that’s because, I was raised by one. I’m trying hard to reach people on all kinds of platforms. I recently joined TikTok as well. Check out my video below and feel free to share.

I’m not great making videos but it has been fun and has forced me to get out of my comfort zone. You can also learn more about my personal life by following me on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, and now TikTok. Just type in raised by a single dad

19 Things I Hate about COVID

Kelly Jo — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 04:49:00 +0000

I hate the way you took my job,
and all the bars you closed.
I hate social distancing.
I hate that you’re so bold.

I hate the way I can’t see my family
and you make me feel alone.
I hate you so much it makes me cry,
it makes me fear the unknown.

I hate you, I hate the way you’re making me think.
I hate you for letting me see.
I hate it took you showing up to reshape my faith,
even more because I’ve watched all the dvd’s.

I hate you for still being here,
and I promise to keep washing my hands
But really I hate not hating you.
You’ve taught me to be more grateful.
I’m blessed in many ways
And I’m understanding why
It’s God’s lessons that I should apply.

This poem is inspired by the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.

100 or 1 Thing to do at Home

Kelly Jo — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 00:32:21 +0000

Are you stuck in the house with a kid…or two…or three…a husband. Maybe even throw in a dog or two. I don’t have any kids but I am stuck in the house with a dog. I love him dearly and it is nice to have a companion of some sort. Although, every time I get my laptop out he crawls in my lap. He follows me to the bathroom…kitchen…bedroom and still tries to sneak out the door every time it’s opened. He barks at every neighbor that goes by. And his potty time has substantially increased. I am trying not to complain. I do have it pretty good. I don’t have anyone yelling mom or babe at me 7,798,425 times a day. I only have two mouths to feed. I can watch whatever I want…do whatever and I don’t get any complaints about how I am living my life.

Are you tired? Tired of planning every minute of every day. Tired of coming up with activities to keep the littles busy. Tired of planning all the meals, that more than likely no one will eat after you spent so forever in the kitchen.

I know I don’t have kids but remember…I was a kid myself. I also work with kids. I try to give the best advice and believe it or not…I get asked a ton of questions about kids. The most asked question is…how do I play with my child? I say…you were a child once, if you could go back what is it that you would like to do? Do that and you are sure to have fun.

As kids…what is the one thing they hate. RULES. What is one thing they want. TO GROW UP. As adults…what do we want…to be a kid again.

My advice. STOP! Don’t be a parent. For one day…be a kid again and let the kid(s) be the grown ups. Let them be little creators. They get to make all the rules…come up with all the activities…even pick our your outfit for the day and plan all the meals. I promise…your kid(s) will love it. They get to be the boss for a day, and you may even learn a thing or two you didn’t realize about your kid(s).

Fun Fact: My brothers and I would go stay with our grandparents every New Years when we were young. My grandmother would take us shopping and lets us buy whatever we wanted for the party. She would even let us use all her fancy platters to set out all the food. We made menus…decorated the table…took their orders and served them the food. It was some of my favorite memories I have with them.

Who knows…this could become a new tradition for your family.

Happy Quarantining! Stay Safe! Stay Home!

Leave me comments and let me know how your littles boss you for a day.

What’s on your 2020 Menu?

Kelly Jo — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:54:54 +0000

It’s a new year. A time for a new New Year’s Resolution. Uhh, gross! The word resolution sounds repulsive to me. We set one goal for ourselves. It’s usually the biggest life change we can think of and yet, we usually fail miserably. Did you know that January 17th is Ditch your New Year’s Resolutions Day. We give ourselves one goal, so unattainable and only seventeen days before we give up. There are so many things wrong with this…1. Why do we only set one goal? 2. Why do we set an unattainable goal? Like I want to lose weight, exercise more, or eat healthier. Well…what exactly does that mean? How about we take a few steps back and say…I am going to walk one mile 3 times per week. I am going to only eat out 2 times a week and have at least one vegetable per meal. Those sound more attainable and if you fail, it’s ok try again. 3. Why do we give up after seventeen days? Do we not care about ourselves enough.

I am also guilty of making one unattainable goal and quitting before I really give myself a chance to change. So this year I am trying something a little different. I am making a menu of goals. Why a menu? Because a menu makes me think of food and we all like to eat. It’s a lot more appetizing. It’s waking up each day and taking a bite out of life to make myself better.

Below is my Life’s Menu

Starters – Small changes that I would like to become part of my life, not just for a year.

A Feather – It’s my lifestyle change word. Yes, I know that sounds weird, but I got this idea from a radio show I listen to daily. I chose this word because when a feather is dropped it floats in the wind. And who controls the wind, God. I hope to me more like a feather and go where God leads me.

The Flexible Combo – My first sport as a child was gymnastics. I have loved it every since. Getting older means getting stiffer. I just want to be able to do the splits again. Haha!

Thankful – I want to learn to be more thankful for the things I already have. I get so focused on the things that are going wrong that I miss the good that is already happening in my life.

Menu – Big changes that I want to start this year and continue for life.

Monthly Projects – I want to do offer my readings more content. Giving them projects can help with better life skills. Get ready Daddy!

The Smile – I am sure some of you notice that I don’t show my teeth in my pics. I don’t like them so I hope to be able to change that soon.

Paid Sponsorships – I love to write and blog but I would also like to get paid to do it. Let’s see how many I can get this year and keep it going.

Desserts – Fun trips that I would like to do yearly

2nd Annual Girls Trip – I had my first girls trip ever last year. It was great and a much needed trip. I hope to be able to continue that every year.

1st Annual Sisters Trip – I four brothers. Weird because, I have only talked about two. Family update coming soon! That being said I am so lucky to have four sister in laws that I truly adore. I hope to be able to plan a trip with them all this summer. They just aren’t aware of it yet!

Beach Get Away – The beach is my favorite place in the world. I love the sand, the ocean, and the big waves. I could sit there forever, stare into the sky where it meets the ocean and get lost in my own world.

I hope to be able to take small bites out of my new 2020 Menu. I have small starters, a few bigger dreams and some fun dessert get aways. Take a look at your life. What’s on your 2020 Menu?