“Do as I say, not as I do” is a common joke among parents, but during separation period, your children need a strong leader. You know you must lead by example. You can’t tell your kids to do one thing and then do another, as they would be quick to point out if you do not follow your own rules. It is important to you that television doesn’t become an electronic babysitter, taking place of books or conversations. Instead of watching your T.V. in evening, you read books and encouraged your kids to do same.

As a single parent, I am sure you have spent time thinking about how you could be a good role model. Perhaps you haven’t wanted your children eating junk food, so you have stopped buying it, even though Oreo’s and ice cream are your favorite comfort foods. You find yourself watching your alcohol intake because preaching about evils of drugs and alcohol would be worthless if you drank too much. Also, if you have budding adolescents, you know your kids would rationalize sexually active behavior if men or women spent night at your home.

Not only do you want to be a good role model, but you want to inspire your children to be better people. It is more than wanting to avoid negative behavior, but desiring to reinforce good in each child. Praise them and give them support and attention they crave. When they recognize positive qualities in themselves, they will be able to see same in others.

Teach your children respect for authority. Never allow them to blame their teachers for bad grades. Don’t badmouth police officers on traffic patrol, and immediately move to side of road when you hear a siren, allowing fire fighters and ambulances to pass.

One idea – cut out 3 rounds for holly berries (use bottle cap or such if you don’t have small round cutter). Then use knife to cut out spiky holly leaves. Or use a Santa Claus cooky cutter. Place these on top of pie filling and bake away.

2. If you have time and inclination, when pie is baked and cooled, then use frosting to decorate your crust decoration. To save time, use those little tubes from grocery; no one cares how it tastes. The gels are neat.

3. Or decorate with white frosting and candy -- licorice for Santa’s belt, gum drops for eyes, various colored sprinkles, cut up tiny marshmallows, candied fruit, non-pareils, cinnamon drops, etc.