I am Proud to say that on the 27th of June 2008, I travelled to Kapooka Army Base (near Wagga Wagga) and watched my son March Out from Basic Training. I could not believe the difference in my son that the 80 days of basic training had made.

He now walks and sits with a straight back ( no more slouching over to play games on the puter or tv).  When we were walking down the street the following day, he would move out of other people's way instead of expecting them to do that. We had lunch in Macca's and as we left a stranger held the door open. My son, nodded to him and said " Thank you sir" !!!!!!!!!

My son went from being a youth on his way to trouble, to a man anyone could be proud of. He has decided he wants to make the Army his lifetime career and will stay in past the 4 years he signed up for.

Yes, there are dangers in being in the Army. He may be sent over seas into a war zone, which is what he wants anyway, to defend people who need help, in the name of this great country we live in. But honestly, he could be a labourer, or a manager here in Australia, and be killed on his way to work in a car accident. If you look at statistics, there are so many people that die here in OZ everyday, from accidents and diseases like cancer.

At least in the Army, he has full medical and dental cover, his food and board are of a good standard, his clothes are supplied and the pay is good.

The Defence Forces are a good employer with Equal Opportunities for all so, Yes, I am proud that my son is an Aussie soldier and will follow in the great traditions of ANZAC's.

I have no idea if this particular subject on being a single full-time parent is acceptable, but surely most single parents have  similar issues. (I guess if it isnt ok then someone amongst the powers that be will delete it)

OK, here goes! Being a single (fulltime) mum doesn't mean that you stop being a single female. That you would like to share your life with a partner, whether that be full time or just someone to have a laugh with and be a lover.

Alas, most fulltime single parents (yeh there are fulltime single dads out there too!) don't get a lot of "me" time. In fact, it can take a lot of planning and child-minding arrangements to get any "me' time at all.

Then, when you do find someone that you like, how do you carry on? Let's face it, at the beginning of any relationship, its all lust and wanting to spend time together. That's fine going to thier place when you manage to arrange time out. However, with you having obligations within the home and very little 'time-out' ,it usually means the other person has to come to your home if you want to see them.

Then of course, they are going to meet your kids! Hey, thats all well and good, if you continue to see them. But, what if either of you realise it's not going to work, and you stop seeing them? Your kids will question as to why that person no longer visits. What do you say???

Even worse, when you decide that you're sick of being alone again, and you meet someone else, and they end up at your place, your kids meet them! So does that mean you are setting a bad example for your kids? Because by societal standards that means (depending on whether you're male or female) you are either 'loose' or a stud!

And what if you just enjoy the other person's company, but don't want anything too serious?  Is it Ok for them to just drop over and stay the night once or twice a week? 

I guess there are a lot of factors that influence just how 'Ok' it is. The age of the kids, your cultural background, your religion, your own core values of right and wrong. How much you want the company of the other person.

So, how have other single full-time parents coped with this issue?