Find Out How this Single Mom from Virginia balances home, kids and career.

Q: What inspired you to start writing your blog, KitKat4Real?
I've always enjoyed writing. When I started blogging it was more of an outlet for me  and very cathartic. But I got more interested over the past year as I started getting more and more feedback. Knowing I had some readers was so rewarding for me. I then become more focused on my current position in life as a single mom and started to focus more on single parents as an audience. My heart's desire was to take my blog to the next level and be an encouragement to others that found themselves at this stage of their life "where I was" and my plan was to keep it real.

Q: What are your three favorite blogs for singles?
Just three? Well that's tough. But on any given day, no matter how busy I am, I have to stop and read: MsSingleMama, Depotdad, and modernsinglemomma.

Q: You are a single Mom living in Virginia. What is the most difficult aspect of dating as a single parent and how do you deal with it?
The most difficult aspect of dating is just meeting other single dads or single guys in my age range. To deal with that I began using online dating websites right after my divorce. Through this venue I have actually met some great guys, many of them are still friends today - however, the majority were not from my local area. So the difficulty of this cycle for me to meet local single guys continues.

Q: Name a guilty pleasure that always gets you out of a bad mood.
Shopping. I usually like to make it shopping with a purpose, but I constantly have a handy list in the back of my mind, for a few things I need or the kids need. When in a bad mood, if I can make the time to go shopping and find those much needed items - it makes me happy; and so it is a great pick-me-up.

Q: Best place for solo parents to meet members of the opposite sex? What about new friends?
I have been told the produce aisle, bookstore, or any hardware department. But this remains to be seen in my experience. I do know there are some local support groups for divorced parents that can be a great way for solo parents to meet not only members of the opposite sex, but also to just make friends. We also have a local chapter of the Parents Without Partners that I received information about and plan to look into very soon.

Q: If you could tell single men everywhere one thing, what would it be?
Give single moms a sincere chance when it comes to dating possibilities. Many times I have met single guys and they struggle with the idea of the potential future as a step-dad. And yes, if they have sincere issues with that possibility, they should steer clear. But if they are just wondering and unsure about being a step-dad, but at the same time like the idea of being with a more settled, responsible, independent woman - at least give a single mom a chance. The guys just might be surprised what a wonderful relationship they have been giving up by ruling us out.

Q: What's your favorite grab-and-go street food?
I would have to say the pecan chicken salad wrap at Arby's. Even though I consider it a little over priced, I love it so much, I get it often. It has pecans and apple chunks added in so I consider it a healthy choice. Another grab-and-go street food that I eat at least once a week, though it's not as healthy, is the whopper Jr. from Burger King. What can I say?

Q: Between work and raising a child, how do you find "me time?"
My children's father has them with him every other weekend. I use those weekends as my "me-time". Me-time is very important for rejuvenating a single parent. To keep up with children, a house, and a full-time job, if you don't take time out to pamper yourself, then it will start to fall apart and you will not be any good to any of these people that are depending on you, especially your children.

Q: What is the single most important lesson you learned by living on your own?
The most important lesson has been realizing that I can do this (with recognition of my source of strength, of course). Each time I tackle a new project around the house, I am rewarded with the thought afterward: I did that. Even though it required me using a drill, I did that. Realizing "I can do all (these) things (as a single parent,) through Christ which strengthens me." {Phil. 4:13}; from house projects, to making dinner, from raising two beautiful intelligent children to being successful at a state office job is a faith builder. It has been rewarding to look back and see what all I have been capable of doing while living on my own as a single parent. If I didn't remind myself of past success stories, I couldn't move forward through some of the obstacles that face a single parent every day.

Q: What do you love about being single?
I love the sense of independence and freedom that I now have like never before. It has been liberating in so many ways. Even with raising my children and the overwhelming responsibility it requires, I still feel an intense independence. I embrace the fact that I am raising my children the best way I can without feeling condemned about every little decision I make.

Q: Any other words of wisdom?
I will never say it is easy being a single parent, but will say it was the best decision for me in my situation. On days when it gets exhausting and overwhelming (and they are many) I just remember to take one moment at a time and put one foot in front of the other with perseverance. It's also imperative to have a support network of family and friends already established which proves to be a true safety net when the rough spots come along.