Neither of us likes to admit this, but we missed out many mother-plus-kids photo opportunities when our children were younger. Don’t get us wrong, we have lots of kid photos. But because we were the photographers — and our partners were literally missing from the picture — we’re not in many of our holidays or special occasion photos.

That’s why we were excited to learn about the XShot, the perfect accessory for single parents because you will ALWAYS be in the shot.

Here’s how it works: the XShot camera extender is a unique durable metal extender that lengthens more than three feet. It eliminates the single-arm stretch photo or the tripod.  It also closes down to nine inches for easy transport — and you can record films and video diaries.

This mom — below — used her XShot to aim from a few feet away when she was out hiking with her son… without someone else to take a picture of them on top of the mountain.

And get this: XShot is giving away a camera extender to one of our readers… plus a bonus to a second winner: an iPhone tripod case like this one:

How do you enter? Please tell us:

Who would be in YOUR XShot?

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If you’ve been visiting Singlemommyhood for any length of time, then you know that we’re NOT just about moms. We openly welcome fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers… And that’s why we’re hosting an end-of-summer “Thanks, Dad” contest.

We got the chance to chat with Tom Kiddoo — the creative guru behind these ‘Thanks, Dad‘ T-shirts — to hear about how his own father inspired him to start his business. Tom’s father owned four restaurants and taught school full-time, but, at the end of the day, he always had time for his kids.

As Tom got older, their relationship grew stronger. “My dad would drop anything just to talk on the phone, even if it was just a quick hello,” he says.

So, when Tom’s dad was diagnosed in 2007 with myelofibrosis — a rare bone marrow disorder that ultimately reduces the body’s ability to produce oxygen carrying blood cells — he was devastated. Just over six months after the diagnosis, Tom’s father passed away at age 65.

Tom — who was the 37-year-old father of three kids — tells us: “I was devastated.  After losing my Dad, I spent the next 17 days straight working 12+ hours a day to catch up at work.  On the 18th day, I quit my job.”

He couldn’t stop thinking about his father. So, after his kids went to bed every night, “I spent an hour or so in the yard ‘talking’ with my father and reminiscing.  I was able to process  a lot of the anger and regret. Soon, I found myself holding onto gratitude. I felt very thankful for who my father was to me. I began ending those nighttime reveries with ‘Thanks Dad’.”

“This is why I started selling t-shirts,” Tom explains. And his T-shirts are catching on, including Nickelodeon celebrities, such as Tom Kenney, the voice of Sponge Bob Squarepants, shown here with Tom:

Tom has offered to give away one T-shirt to a father at Singlemommyhood. Maybe you’re a father who would proudly wear it.. or, perhaps you’ll win the T-shirt for your own father/step-father/brother/uncle/someone who’s been there for you . . . . SO many possibilities!

‘Thanks Dad’ T-shirts are made solely in the USA from 100% cotton. They carry all sizes, from child to extra-large adult. They also come in six colors.

Ready to enter? Please tell us:

Who in your life deserves “Thanks, Dad”? (We’d love to hear your story.)

~~

Please visit the Thanks, Dad site here

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When we launched Singlemommyhood a little more than a year ago, we had one goal: to give you a soft place to land.

Thank you for helping us create a community that mainstream media often ignore, or portray in a less than positive way. We’re beyond-honored that you’ve joined us. We love how honest you are, and how openly you share your experiences.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we promise you: we’re here for you. Always feel free to drop by and tell us what’s on your mind. We’ll listen. We’ll write back.

Right now, we’re enjoying hearing about your Valentine’s Day plans. Whether you’re going on a date, hanging out with your kids, enjoying some well deserved down time, hosting a party for your friends…we’re sure chocolate will be big part of the fun!

So, when Dove® Chocolate and Martha Stewart Living recently contacted us about hosting a chocolate giveaway, we thought, “Perfect.”

Especially when we heard that part of Dove’s giveaway included a sampling of their “Chocolate Promises,” assorted milk and dark.

We’re giving away gift packages to four of you, filled with:

• DOVE Chocolate Promises
• DOVE Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter
• DOVE Peanut Toffee Crunch
• DOVE Truffle Heart Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate

Here’s how to enter:

Simply leave a special Valentine’s Day greeting to our Singlemommyhood community.

What fun! We can’t wait to read your Valentine’s wishes for all of us!

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Izzy Rose — author of The Package Deal: My (not-so) Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom — is on a mission to change the image of the modern-day step mom.

And we’re right behind her!

Izzy describes herself as single “middle-class socialite” who lived in San Francisco. She loved her career as a successful TV producer and she was fine with the fact that she was unmarried and kid-less at thirty-five. But, then she fell in love with an irresistible Southern man named Hank — “and her Izzy-centric lifestyle turned upside down.”

The Package Deal is about much more than her adventure as a new stepmother, however. It’s also a story about modern-day marriage, the negotiating of family and career, the necessity of friendships, and the constant search for identity.

Which brings us back to that question about her step mom identity. How does Izzy plan to change the stereotype?

“Well, first of all, I’d like our culture to ditch the wicked stereotype,” says Izzy, who has since moved to Austin, Texas with her husband and what she calls “his two man-cubs.”

“Signing up to help raise another woman’s kids isn’t what I’d call ‘wicked’—it’s pretty selfless work,” says Izzy. “And where the stereotype likes to characterize us as driving a wedge in a family, I disagree. I said ‘I DO’ to join a family that existed long before I came along. On a good day, I’m just trying to fit in!”

Izzy also speaks honestly about the challenges. For example, she didn’t fall in love instantly with her husband’s sons.

“And I felt pretty crummy about this admission until I asked myself, Why would love be instant? Just because you adore the man doesn’t mean you will feel the same way about his kids. Love takes time. Of course, I hoped that I would eventually fall for them — and they me.”

On that note, we’re giving away copies of The Package Deal to TWO of you!

~~~

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