Fencing for animal enclosures should be one of the first considerations when planning your small homestead. It wasn’t for me. And, oh, the lessons I have learned. Fences. You need them. They provide safety and organization. When I first started this adventure, my plan was to be free-range. And some places work great for that….
I’ve never given much thought to putting on the whole armor of God. It was just a random verse in the Bible. However, I have lately come to realize the wisdom of applying this verse tangibly and comprehensively. My failure to put on the whole armor of God has resulted in my being weak, indecisive, passive,…
Ideas for creating a small food forest should consider the strengths and limitations of the property. But in almost all cases, it can be done! Start your food forest with a vision of what it can be. My mom was great at this! My apple tree and the cherry tree were her vision for the…
Moms, especially single moms, need schedules that are flexible and feasible. Work-from-home options offer flexibility for women who may not have many other options. But finding this type of work can be tricky. Certain situations can place moms in desperate situations, and then we are left grasping for anything legitimate. Or not legitimate. Desperation can…
These time management tips for single moms have emerged from years of frustration in managing it all. And as a single mom, you know what I mean by it all! As single moms, we are the breadwinners, educators, counselors, primary caregivers, and in charge of house management. That’s a lot! And with each of those…
Gaining self-esteem as a single mother can be challenging, but it impacts every aspect of our lives. One day, I woke up without any self-esteem. Oh, yeah, that’s right; it was in the third grade. The cool girls I sat next to in school told me that I was absolutely “not cool.” I remember being…
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…
Meal planning can be daunting for single parents or busy moms. I’ve been trying to provide sit-down dinners every evening for years, and it finally dawned on me: This isn’t working. It isn’t working because my circumstances have changed. Now, I’m a single mom, working from home and homeschooling my children. That alone is exhausting,…
Eclectic homeschool options that work. When I first started homeschooling, I was new and relatively desperate. I was desperate to save my son’s self-esteem and education. The homeschooling curriculum was chosen hastily and without thorough understanding. Homeschooling hadn’t been Plan One as a single mom, and I wasn’t even sure I could manage. I wrote…
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,…
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Psalms 37:3 This verse is brilliant because that’s where we’re at. Because dwelling in the land and doing good is available to all of us. Most of us did not set out to become single parents. It’s…
Endurance and grit are qualities that Christian moms possess. Life isn’t easy. That’s not a bad thing. But these qualities help us to hold on a little longer when things are hard. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 This kind of grit and determination…
Food preservation has been a priority throughout history. Unfortunately, these basic principles have been forgotten in our present society. Few of us need to worry about food shortages, and because of this, we have failed to develop and learn the skills that the mothers of the past relied on. However, as we have discarded the…
There are benefits to eating at home. There are, of course, health benefits. Those are ones that anyone can see, and rightfully so. Nutritionally, eating from home is the best. However, there are other benefits that you need to look closer to find. As single moms, I’m convinced we spend most of our time in…
Words of encouragement for single moms. Encouragement for single moms is vital! Life is challenging, and finding hope can be a daunting task. One of the most encouraging things to hear when you struggle is, “This isn’t over yet.” It’s easy to see why that brings hope. That’s why this is one of my favorite…
Facing trials as a Christian can bring deep comfort. Christians know that God loves them. They may not entirely understand what is happening, but they know God sees their suffering and has a plan. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of…
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…
Ideas on how to save money on your food bill. I come from a long line of cheap women who needed to be frugal. Frugal is not a word you hear very often. But it’s a word that came to mind when the last trip to the grocery store about killed me. Most single mothers…
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18a. There are many reasons to set goals as a single mom. My best friend gave me wise advice shortly after I became a single mom: Set goals for yourself. What do you want your life to look like in five years? In ten years? In…
Flower garden designs should be carefully considered and planned early in the process. I love my garden. It’s huge! And therein lies the problem! A large flower garden needs order and function. Otherwise, chaos ensues. The first problem is the amount of weeds and grass overtaking the garden. I usually throw in a bunch of…
One beginning way to learn to homestead is to start thinking like a farmer or homesteader. Every employment field has a unique mindset associated with it—nurses, teachers, and even accountants. I love this part of life! I have a special place in my heart for people who work with their hands. Blacksmiths, welders, mechanics, and…
These are some great ideas on how to maintain focus in your life: Staying focused is a valuable skill, and here are a few ideas to help you maintain focus in your busy life. We see it in leaders, athletes, and businesses. And every once in a while, we find it in a person close…
There are days I don’t understand God’s plan and timing. During these times, I’m tempted to question God’s goodness. Somehow, I know I’m not the only one. I’ve heard the stories from single moms and lived through my own. And I’m left confused. I know God is good, but some days, it doesn’t feel like…
Bible verse memorization may be something you’ve never considered. After all, we are barely making it as it is. I’m convinced single moms are overworked and overstressed daily. Why go that extra mile? And why force those whining kids to use their brains? My answer is, “You should do this because of its impact on…
The following are simple pointers for homeschooling as a single mom: Please consider reading the previous blog post for additional information: Helpful Hints for Homeschooling as a Single Mom – (singlemomoutwest.com) As you consider homeschooling as a single mom, there are a few things to remember. These are things that took me a while to…
One of the things I worried about most when my kids were struggling was “how to homeschool as a single mom?” It kept me up at night! And here is what I figured out! Homeschooling as a single mom requires you to think creatively. But it can be done! When I became a single mom,…
Steps to freedom in Christ are taken slowly. Sometimes, you can’t see how far you’ve come until you look back at your path. Holidays make me think. I have sent the kids off to see their dad. And strangely, I am no longer sad or broken over this. Instead, I am aware of how far…
There are beauty skills to learn that decrease cost and bring additional options to someone on a limited budget. Looking good on a small budget can admittedly be tricky. But with these beauty skills to learn, you can begin to decrease your looking-good budget by doing it yourself! (Here are my financial tips to help…
Learning how to feel more positive about life is a skill that all of us need. It wasn’t long ago that the doldrums of winter set in. The lack of sunlight and a never-ending supply of complications began to get to me. The truth is, the calendar may say it’s spring. But, oh no! It…
