When your life is in flux--because of a divorce, job change, or an impending move--and you need share with your kids the details of how some of the changes will affect them, make sure that you do your "homework" ahead of time. Approach the conversation ready to give them as much detailed, accurate information as you can, while also maintaining age-appropriate and respectful boundaries. (In other words, don't tell your kids more than they need to know, and stay away from details that could compromise their affections for the other parent.) For situation-specific tips, read:

• How to Tell Your Kids "We're Moving"
• How to Tell Your Children About Your Divorce

Do you ever wish you had a legal expert on hand to provide guidance on issues such as child custody, child support, visitation, and more? I'm thrilled to announce that here at Single Parents at About.com, we do!

Please welcome Debrina L. Washington. Debrina is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and she runs her own virtual law practice in New York. She's also the mom of an adorable 2-year-old little boy! Learn more about Debrina by reading her bio here on the site.

Debrina's most recent articles include:

• Child Support Modification
• Child Relocation Guidelines
• Win Child Custody
• How to Obtain a Passport for Your Child

Please join me in welcoming Debrina to About.com!

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This week's highlights include several hopeful stories, along with recent trends in child custody, one military mom's difficult choice, and the opportunity to win $10,000 from Fifty Cent and BET.

On the Blogs:

More Fathers Are Getting Custody in Divorce - Many successful businesswomen are now losing custody to fathers who work fewer hours. Lisa asks whether this is a raw deal or fair play. What do you think?

Ravens Players Provide Thanksgiving Meals to Single Parent Edgewood Families - Ben Grubbs, along several Baltimore Ravens teammates and members of the U.S. Marines, are scheduled to serve Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday to 100 Baltimore-area single parent families.

In the News:

Mom Chooses Son Over Service - Fearing her ten-month-old son would be placed in foster care, single mom and army SPC Alexis Hutchinson refused to deploy to Afghanistan after her mother backed out of her agreement to care for the boy.

Event Helps Single Mothers - An organization called "The Caring People" raised more than $60,000 to help support single mothers and their children!

From Section 8 to Single Mother of the Year - The story of how one single mom turned things around for herself and her young sons.

50's Money for Moms Contest - Three lucky single moms will win $10,000 from Fifty Cent and BET. Could you be one of them?

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I don't ever recall seeing Black Friday ads earlier than Thanksgiving Day before. However, many stores--including Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Sears, and JCPenney--have already made their Black Friday ads available online. You can see and print them through the free web site www.BFads.net.

Read More Thrifty Thursday Blog Posts on the About.com Parenting Channel:

• Single Parents' Thrifty Thursday Blog Archive
• Try a Car Boot Sale
• 8 Coupons to Make Thanksgiving Cheaper
• Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers for Tweens
• Free Pregnancy Advice
• Up to 70% off Designer Baby Clothes at Totsy.com
• Get Ready for Black Friday
• Will You Buy Your Spouse (or S.O.) a Holiday Gift?

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