My mom was the first person to teach me that we all need heroes and great examples. My mom consistently sought out good examples for us kids. She took us to meet people she respected, and she had us constantly listening or reading about people who were successful and did the right thing, even when…
I quit. It’s not that I haven’t tried. I have. I have given it the old college try. (And let me be frank. College did not prepare me for parenting. Not in one single way. ) I want to explain, just in case you want to judge and think that I’m taking the easy way…
There are three key things to remember if you are going to navigate parent-teacher conferences calmly as a single parent. I should know. I failed at all of them when my children attended public school. But if I could go back in time and tell my younger, troubled self this, I would. At the time,…
There are pros and cons of living with family as a single parent. It may be an excellent idea, but one should consider it with caution. Each family will have different dynamics, but some situations will occur simply because there is more than one family in a home. Please consider the various challenges of living…
The most practical ways to help the single mom in your life include time, prayers, financial support, and belief in her. This is the kind of help that gives her hope! Years ago, when I first became a single mom, my parents gave me the gift I needed most. Time. They watched my kids while…
Lately, I’ve had to research advice on protecting your child online. Twice within one month, my teenage boys commented on how easy it was to find porn online. From my understanding, they weren’t even looking for it. They came to me separately and told me what they had seen. I thought I had done a…
There are many ways to be a safe place as a single mom. I, however, need to review them. One of my kids told me not long ago, “I would tell you something that’s bothering me, but you would be so mad.” Great. I thought I had done a pretty good job of being a…
I’m not really bright; never would I have thought that I would have an alcohol and drug addiction in my home. I had married well! I had my family’s blessing, for Pete’s sake, and he had checked all the boxes. That couldn’t be why my new husband stayed out all night. At the time, his…
The needs of a single parent vary greatly. Different situations and even different temperaments come into play. But some things stay the same. I’ve been a single mom for a while now. I’ve also noticed that what was important to me when I first started this journey remains essential to me now. I’ve grown and…
Let’s face it! Parenting is challenging, but destructive family cycles can exacerbate the difficulties. And it’s not something typically discussed in conversation. “Oh, and how do we break family cycles? It’s not something you hear often, but it’s one topic worth exploring! It’s possible that, given your family history, you may need to spend some…
Installing good work ethics and positive attitudes in your children is anything but easy. However, the quality of their life depends on it. This weekend was a work weekend outside. And it got a little ugly. I kept dragging the kids away from the TV and repeatedly giving instructions. Since my kids do daily chores,…
Ways to protect kids. There are many ways to protect kids. These are the ones that have worked for our family, but each family should decide on their own guidelines. Finding ways to protect your kids can save you and your children from heartache. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge…
Leaving a legacy of faith is intentional. The day-to-day actions, decisions, and discussions lay down the footwork of faith, which is easy to miss. There are many different legacies to leave—some good, some destructive. We can all identify the heritage of destruction: drugs, broken families, fear, and poverty. The sad thing is that it’s pretty…
Occasionally, chaos hits this family hard, and I wonder why and what I can do to improve things. I might even Google, “How to regain control of your life?” I’d rather not create chaos with my own behavior. I should know better! My dad was in the Navy. And that is the only logical conclusion…
Parenting with humor is a decision. Because let’s face it, some days we have to look for “the funny” in life! But over time, this decision pays off with happy, healthy kids! A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 NIV I’ve met people who could laugh in almost…
Passing down truth, skills, and traditions ensures success for future generations. There are so many examples of this! And so many cultures and people that do a great job with this! I once met a young Native American girl whose grandmother had taught her about the medicinal properties of herbs. In my family, farming and…
Learning how to discipline kids was one of my greatest struggles. Doing it as a broken single mom became even more difficult. But over time, I learned how to decrease the battles and increase my success. I felt completely out of control the first few years of being a single mom. I did do a…
Learning to create boundaries as a single mom is vital. We overextended in every area. Practicing good boundaries about what we can and cannot do will protect us from emotional and physical exhaustion. The purpose of boundaries. The old saying “good fences make good neighbors” is entirely accurate. I’m not great at boundaries, but I’m…
Creating a peaceful home environment is something we should actively pursue. The peace I’m talking about is not whether Child One is currently at peace with Child Four. That kind of peace is short-lived. And changes with the wind. But it is about providing an environment that is safe and peaceful. It’s about becoming steadfast…
Decision-making for single moms holds a lot of weight. It is vital that the decisions we make are made with wisdom and insight. Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew…
Advice for newly single moms should be compassionate and careful. These first steps can lead us into further chaos and pain or towards hope and healing. The beginning of the end. The end of my marriage was messy, just like everyone else’s. It was a runaway train and a sinking ship. By the end, I…
