So, when this single mom posted about a worrisome co-parenting dilemma, we knew we could count on YOU. Here’s the situation: This single mom has a three-year-old daughter who has had overnight parenting time with her dad since she was six weeks old. Her ex was physically and emotionally abusive when they were married, although (fortunately), he has shown no signs of abuse towards their daughter.

However, this mom worries that her ex is not actually taking care of their daughter during this weekends. She explains: “My little one is a sleep deprived wreck when she returns. I can’t even pee alone. She cries and has nightmares for a night or two.”

Usually her daughter is glad to see Daddy – at least, at first. Lately, this single mom has detected some obvious ambivalence in her little girl about seeing and speaking to Daddy. Recently her daughter has begun to ask a difficult question: “Why do I have to go see Daddy?” * Sigh*

Not surprisingly, this single mom struggles with how to answer this question. She tells her daughter that Daddy wants to see her. And the judge said he could.  She tries to explain how this situation is out of her hands. Trying to remain positive and upbeat, she tries to convince her daughter that she’ll have fun at Daddy’s house.

After all, this single mom asks (groan): “Isn’t watching TV all day and all night fun?”

We’re solo moms so our kids have never confronted us with this question. It’s SO helpful to get the perspective  of other single parents who face similar co-parenting challenges. So, we’re asking you…

Do your kids ask this particular “Daddy” question?

If so, how do you respond?

~~~

(Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Hilary)

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Over email, we’ve been hushing back and forth about Ms. Suleman, too — and we’ve felt torn about posting anything. Until now.

After all, it’s hard to take the story’s sideshow appeal seriously.

And her decision — to have more children when she’s unemployed, still completing her education, and living with her parents — is one everyone is judging.

And, of course, the tabloids have dubbed her the “loony Octomom”.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this one — because we know you all have opinions!

Here’s what some bloggers out there are saying:

The Wow Women ask: “Should women or couples be allowed to profit from having so many children?”

Lisa Belkin of the New York Times Motherlode wonders how the heck Nadya will breastfeed eight babies, as she says she plans to do: “Is it physically possible to produce that much breast milk?”

Liz Robbins of the New York Times questions what Nadya’s real motives are: “While movie rights, book deals and interview fees could potentially bring in quite a bit of money to help pay for the care of all those children, such publicity also raises further questions about her intentions.”

Keep it Trill questions the Medical Board’s investigation on the doctors behind this: “I wonder if the Medical Board would have gotten involved if she’d been married… and who pressured them to do so.”

Lynette Rice of PopWatch wonders if “Nadya Suleman and her 14 kids be the next super-sized family to get a TLC Show?” (After all, Jon and Kate and their brood of eight have done wonders for the network!)

P.S. Rachel wonders if Nadya is a virgin…. Seriously, she had all of 14 of her children through in vitro fertilization. What if she comes out and says that she has never had sex! Imagine! Dr. Leah did you wonder the same?

Dr. Leah replies: Of course, the same thought hit me right away.  According to the New York Post, however, Nadya was married in 1996 and split in 2000.  She may still claim virginity.  I’m also intrigued by the report that one sperm donor fathered all these kids.

The “water cooler buzz” will definitely be intense.  It’s distressing that so much attention will be focused  on this single mom’s perceived lack of judgment and dubious intentions.

Will this story affect how the media views single moms?

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