Dating A Single Father

Being with someone who has children comes with some baggage that not everyone is ready to take on. There isn't really a casual way of going into in my opinion. When I tried getting back out there and women would say "I don't date men with kids" I didn't take it personal. Even though I had no drama I understood why some wanted to avoid the situation all together. I wasn't looking for a replacement mom, so anyone I was seeing wasn't meeting my daughters anyway unless we made it to month 6 or 9. If we just casual I don't even know you when my kids are around. 

Dating a man with kids comes with many positive aspects. Most men who are actively in there children lives already have there sh*t together. (There is always the exception to the rule but that also tells you what you need to know). Aint nobody got time to play games when you checking to see if the fruit snacks are on sale. The joys of parenthood being witnessed can make even the hardest f*ck them kids woman go awww, so you'll have plenty of women ready to play step momma for couple nights. But hey I digress. 

Now on to some of the potential red flags. In the beginning it can be hard for a single father to find balance between work, the kids and you. Then when you throw in the potential conflict that could arise between the ex who he had made that f*ck trophy with (Alexa play bad blood by Taylor Swift) and now you got drama. A little conflict is normal when trying to raise children in multiple households but if the breakup is fresh(he still smashing) the level of conflict could be a deal breaker. If there is excessive animosity or constant drama with an ex-partner that is a major red flag. Continuous battles and unresolved issues can negatively impact your relationship and create a tense environment for everyone involved. Pay attention to how your potential partner handles co-parenting and communication with his ex. You cant be afraid to ask questions and be ready to have those hard conversations. When it comes to kids you can't be half in and half out. Remember they don't really have a choice of being in the situation. You do...so move accordingly. 

Conclusion:

Dating a man with children can be awesome and workout for all parties involved if done right. It comes with it's challenges like any other relationship, but with good communication, patience and honesty, you can build a strong and loving blended family. So if you choose to take this journey, embrace it, lead with love and cherish the moments. Kids grow fast and we never forget the way bonus parents made us feel because they had a choice. 

Finding The Perfect Portion Size For Kids

Have you ever wondered if that giant glob of mac & cheese you packed your kid for lunch was enough for lunch? Food portions have become a lot bigger, and because of this determining the right portion size for our children has become a little distorted. Children need the same variety of nutrient rich foods as adults, just in smaller quantities. I often see children with enough food in their lunch bags to feed a grown man. Defining your child serving size is actually not as complicated as you may think. A child-size portion of meat is about what would fit in your little boy or girls palm. For whole-grain carbs, such as brown rice or pasta, a serving is roughly the size of his/her fist. -- This measurement also applies to fruits, veggies, and dairy products such as yogurt. A serving of cheese is about thumb-size, and for munching on snack foods, think a handful. The great thing about this system is that it works no matter what your child's age is. As his/her hand grows so does their appetite, so you don't have to memorize portions.

Most 2-3 year old's need to consume about 1,000 calories per day. Here’s how to distribute those calories in a healthy eating plan:

• Grain Group: 3 ounces per day, preferably half of them whole grains, (3 regular slices of bread or 1 slice of bread plus 1/3 cup cold cereal and 1/4 cup cooked pasta or rice.)

• Vegetable Group: 1 cup raw/cooked per day.

• Fruit Group: 1 cup fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and/or 100% juice per day.( I would emphasize whole fruits rather than juice because the fiber in the whole fruits help to slow down the sugar rush and insulin spike.)

• Dairy Group: 2 cups of whole milk per day is recommended for children younger than 2. Older children can have low-fat/fat free milk, yogurt and cheese.


• Meat and Beans Group: 2 ounces total per day. Options include one ounce of lean meat or chicken plus one egg or 1 ounce of fish plus 1/4 cup of cooked beans (black, pinto, etc.)

• Oils: 3 teaspoons or less per day.

For younger children you should minimize sweet drinks, snacks and desserts. Children have small stomachs and these foods take up space needed for nutrient rich foods. 

Week In My Life / We’re Back At The Arnold Classic

They Said The Perfect Biceps Workout Didn’t Exist (Haa)

This is a routine I use at the end of my training session but it can also be used as a stand alone workout.

Try it for yourself and tell me what you think. Full workout details on youtube.

Last Reps of Murph

Finally uploading this video from memorial day. I wasn't going to upload it at all because one of the other cameras footage wouldn't load. I managed to splice some footage from our phones so here ya go.

Star Wars Day

Simple Daily Habits to Help You Make Every Day Better