I know I need a lot of support to keep myself sane, and I think most moms would agree. Whether it's a shoulder to cry on, an ear to bend, a babysitter to help out, other parents who share your parenting style, or a partner to share the everyday duties, your "support group" can be made up of a huge range of virtual, intangible, spiritual, and face-to-face relationships. Friends, family, a higher power, authors, partners, online communities: What ones do you rely on?

I cannot say that there have not been times when people don't see eye-to-eye, but I don't even need one second to think about this one.

My Mom, without a doubt, is my "#1 Keeping Mom Sane supporter". As I recently made the change to being a single Mom, making that adjustment simply would not have been possible without her....really.

She is there for me emotionally EVERYDAY. Even if we don't discuss it, she knows me inside and out and she instinctually knows what I need. She has been a Godsend in terms of helping me a TON with my soon to be 5 yr old son, who is super active, very bright and newly independent. Did I mention recently disobedient?

On top of being newly divorced, I lost my job, and along with a lot of other single Moms, have been looking for a job that can replace it so that I can be independent with only 1 income. There was never even a question as to whether we should come stay with them to allow us to begin to rebuild our lives after an expensive divorce. She never hesitates to offer financial support to me, even though they are being frugal to save for their retirement. I try not to take any, but there have been times that it has saved me, and I will pay her back if it takes me until I'm 75.

Labeling her as a "supporter", is way too limiting and is just not adequate. She's the lighthouse that guides me in the storm, the net to catch me when I fall, (and I do that a lot!), or the parachute to make the fall bearable. She's the ear that listens and listens, all day and all night. The eyes that look out for me, when other eyes have closed. She's the wisdom that gives me the answer, without ever having to ask, and my secret muse since childhood for any creative successes. When my fire begins to sputter, she's instantly there with kindling and a match, and tends it and tends it until my flame burns brighter and I can see through the darkness.

But how do you pay someone back for being your savior, best friend, mentor, role model, awesome Grandma, encourager...the key that unlocks the ever-existent Pandora's box? The box that brings you eternal hope??

I'll try to pay her back by giving to my Son what she has given to me, but that may be impossible, because she's one-of-a-kind.

(and by trying harder not to argue with her ;-) )

Jesus Christ is my #1 support. I can tell Him anything and He always understands, gives me the comfort, encouragement, guidance, or whatever I need. He comes through with answers beyond my imagination and keeps everything confidential! My husband comes in second. We share basically everything and now realize more than ever, the importance of praying together on a daily basis.

I draw my support from several different sources. As a homeschooling mom, I am part of a local homeschooling group. I'm also on a yahoo group that deals with the specific curriculum we use. My hubby supports me as do my sister and friends. God is also always there supporting me. This amazes me as I often forget to go to Him with needs.

Two come to mind right now. The first is an old friend who has a great sense of the ridiculous and can always be counted on with a shoulder or our favorite phrase "this too shall pass"... Having moved around alot, I don't always have a "best" friend in wherever I am, but I have three very very good ones who have been with me forever and know all my secrets and love me anyway! Those are the best - the people that you can go months without talking to, and then pick up like you talked five minutes ago...

Right now I am also enjoying the company of a new friend who, like me, just had #2 a few weeks ago. There's just no substitute in understanding for someone going through exactly what you are! The other day we were planning to get together for lunch, and it was such a relief to hear someone else calculating mommy fashion - "OK, so if we meet at 1:30, I have to leave at 11:10, which means I have to do the last feeding at 10:45" (and the unspoken but understood last diaper at 10:50 and 11:05)...