AliciaCOSTA

36-year-old single mom of two daughters

Single-mom joys: Knowing I can raise two daughters on my own.

Single-mom nightmares: When they question me about their father, and I don’t always have the answers.

Single-mom hardships: You have to provide the tender, loving care of a mother and provide the discipline of a father. It is a dance, but if you lack in one area, so will my girls. I have no problem providing discipline. Children are always going to test boundaries; it is just knowing how much you are willing to let them get away with.

Favorite song to sweat to: Just Like a Pill by Pink

Best exercise excuse: I have nobody to watch my girls.

Favorite nutritious treat: Asparagus.

Favorite unhealthy treat: Plain M&M’s and a Coke.

Favorite junk food: Pizza.

First ER visit: I tried convincing my daughter that a CT scan was a spaceship and we were going for a ride. Sheer panic!

Best mommy trick: Making my children think that I really did not want them to do something anyway.

Quick go-to meal: Baked ziti.

Guilty pleasure: Shopping.

Favorite mommy moment: When every school paper my daughter brings home from school says, “I love you, mom!”

Worst mommy moment: When other children say mean things to your children and you cannot do anything to protect them from cruel people.

Finding “me” time: It is very hard. I try to make the most of the opportunities that I do get because they are few and far between. I feel guilty on the same hand when I do get “me” time. So, if anyone ever sees me having too much fun it is because I am making up for lost time. Ha ha! Balancing work & motherhood: I don’t think a mother ever feels as if she has had enough time for her children, even if every second of her day was devoted to them.

Best exercise excuse: Saying “I have six kids and no time” pretty much covers every excuse needed!

Favorite nutritious nibble: Carrots and broccoli in ranch dip

Favorite not-so-healthy treat: Anything chocolate!

Healthy role model: My husband, my two oldest sons, and I decided to eat healthier and exercise. Since January 1st, we have lost a combined total of 99.5 pounds.

Memorable trip to the ER: I took my oldest child who had suffered an injury from horse playing. The triage nurse told me I looked familiar and I replied, “Remember the child who was in here last week with a broken collarbone from being pulled off a bike by his brother on a moped? Well, this is the brother who was driving the moped.”

My stress buster: Praying and eating. I always try to do more praying than eating!

Guilty pleasure: Taking time for myself. That may only mean a trip to Wal-Mart, but when you have to coordinate babysitters/activities for six children, date nights and alone time for yourself come few and far between!

Favorite mommy moment: When my daughter was three, she decided in the middle of a Disney movie to ask Jesus to live in her heart. She was so young but had such a real understanding of what that meant.

Worst mommy moment: The twins were born eight weeks premature, and there were many times over their first three months of life that we were unsure whether they would make it. Those were the darkest days of my life.

Easier to raise — boys or girls: I have five boys and one girl. I always say my girl is tougher than all of my boys combined. She is strong-willed and outspoken!

Practical jokers: Once, I went outside to take the garbage out, and my children saw this as their perfect opportunity to lock me out of the house. I instructed sternly, begged, and pleaded with them to let me in and all I received in turn from them was laughter.