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Do You Love to Read?

Reading is definitely fundamental. I have been reading since as long as I can remember. You should read to your children, I know I still do. Let them hear the expression coming from your voice, after all you are Mom!

Kids in grades 1-6 can earn a free book this summer from Barnes & Noble if they show that they have read 8 books! That is a good deal. And we all know that libraries are free... Also, download 9 free short stories at Barnes & Noble. These are a good deal for yourself to unwind and they're free, too!

Borders is offering a free cup of 12 oz. Seattle's Best coffee until Wednesday, May 6th at Borders Bookstores. Check their site for local listings and participation.

If you become an online book reviewer like me, you can earn free books that way, too! At EKG Literary Magazine, the pulse of the literary community, has a host of information on self-publishing, the entire writing process and best of all, book reviews. Thanks to the entire team for the opportunity!

And thanks to Freebies 4 Mom's blog who then in turn turned to Written Windows, they have a tremendous list that is updated on resources to get free books. Check out Fried Beef's Tech Best Places to Get Free Books-The Ultimate Guide. So glad I came across this site. Two of my favorites are on there, Paperback Swap and Book Mooch. You can't go wrong with these guys.

Happy Reading!

Mother's Day is Approaching

Hallmark is truly the best...I received the following from a friend of mine, (thanks Marie!)

Mother's Day for single mothers.
Posted: 30 Apr 2009 12:12 PM PDT

There is something I'd like for you to do. Look around you, in your neighborhood, at work, somewhere in your life, and you will find a single mother. This mother will most likely not be getting a fancy meal out on May 10. This mother will most likely not be getting a bouquet of flowers, a piece of jewelry, or a box of chocolates. She may not even get a card.
So for me, send your nearest single mother a Mother's Day Card. It won't even cost you a penny. I know you've got your own loved ones covered, so maybe you could use the following for a mother who may not receive a Mother's Day Card from anyone else.

Visit Hallmark here, and they will send a Mother's Day card, a real paper card with an envelope and stamp and everything, from you, to a mother of your choice FREE OF CHARGE. But do it today or tomorrow (May 1) to make sure you make it postally by May 10.

Hallmark's website will walk you thru it:
1. Select a 5×7 card ($3.49)2. Personalize it3. Select “I want Hallmark to mail the card for me” (the first shipping option)4. Check out and enter the promo code CARD4MOM
You will not be asked to provide a credit card. The card and stamp are completely free. And a single mother near you will realize she is not alone. Thank you.

UPDATE: You can do this transaction two times and send out two cards: use promo code APRILCARD for the second one.

It works, I just sent one to someone I know. Try it out...Think about all of the mothers who will not receive anything. Especially the single mothers who work really hard, 365 days throughout the year!

And thanks to http://mommyswishlist.blogspot.com/ This site Rocks!

Why don’t we go out anymore?

My ten-year old son asked me this question the other night en route to picking up my thirteen year old son from his all day school trip to Philadelphia. I had to talk to him in a kid friendly way without bringing up the real reason why we don’t "go out" anymore.

I love the fact that DC has a slew of museums to visit, most of them free. The vendors in the downtown area sell all sorts of souvenirs, including the huge wave of “Yes We Can” items courtesy of our President, Barack Obama. I used to take my children to these places quite often, the weather really disturbing our weekend visits. However, things have changed.

Motherly instinct, especially for single mothers, has to be used in such a way that we do not scare our children. My fear of the recent events of suicides over the turmoil of the economy has led me to sort of “stay inside” for a while. I am not a psychic here, but if I can avoid some kind of danger, then so be it. But it’s only temporary.

As single mothers, we have to salvage and save every dime. It is hard work. The economy these days does not make it any easier for us or anyone, to forget that there are such issues at hand. I believe as mothers, particularly single mothers, you need to tone it down a notch. By that I mean:

-Stop watching the news with your children when you hear about tragedies that have occurred due to the turmoil of the economy. Explain to them what is going on and why we must still be aware without being overly paranoid.

-Look for warning signs in your children in terms of depression, if you suspect a change. They could either be not eating, getting out of bed, not smiling, chatting on the phone with their friends. Simply not wanting to do the normal things they would normally do.

-If you are in debt, you do not need to let your children know this. They are kids and need to learn about money, but you shouldn’t broadcast the fact that money is hindering the family. Perhaps going over bills and budgeting after the children are asleep is best.

-Let your children know that there is a better way and things are only temporary. Assure them by eliminating that extra video game per month to a bi- monthly rental instead or perhaps get your children involved in other activities. Volunteering is a great way to start. Libraries are free.

-Last but not least, let your children know the consequences if they seek other measures of getting money. We still need to teach our children the value of a dollar and the value of life. And freedom.

Single mothers should take it easy on themselves if they cannot afford a certain brand of shoes, entertainment, clothing, or that concert ticket for their budding teenager. It is not the end of the world. There will be other times to get these things. I have to cool it myself when I take my children places and not overspend. Emotional spending is the worse kind, it is a hole that can sometimes take a year to get out of. It is best to keep your emotions about money in check.

I answered my son simply by letting him know that we do go out, it is just in our neighborhood instead of me driving eleven miles into DC so I can save gas. I also let him know that things happen everywhere and we are not always safe from it, but in these times, you never know. He understood that we can have fun right in our own backyard. And he also understood that things can happen anywhere and we have to be aware of our surroundings at all times.

After we had our talk, he didn’t ponder anymore; was just happy to see his brother come back safely from his trip to Philadelphia. And I am proud to say that my son spent half of his spending money, explaining that the sights were more glorious than spending money...