It’s not easy to find your faith after trauma. After battling breast cancer for the last eight months, I’ve been having trouble trusting God and the path he has for me. (For more on Fighting Breast Cancer as a Single Mom-you may find this post helpful!} https://www.singlemomoutwest.com/health/how-to-fight-cancer/ I admit that this battle made me doubt…
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…
Forgiveness as a Christian is tricky. It’s flippantly handed out as an afterthought. But there’s much more to it than that. As a single mom, I’ve had my share of opportunities to practice forgiveness. However, I admit that it hasn’t always been my first choice. There are reasons for this. They can range from not…
Seeking ways to refocus your mind? I have some ideas that may help you! Some days are just too much! Too much thinking! And too many requirements. We’re exhausted before we begin. There may be times in our lives that are incredibly stressful, and we must make a conscious effort to recenter our minds on…
We all have one: that mountain you must cross for things to get better. And it’s not just any mountain. It’s the big one. You know, that chance to be strong and courageous. Mountains come in different sizes. Some days, it’s a walk in the park. Others, it makes you feel like you are hanging…
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…
As a single mom, I was just trying to keep my head above water. I never dreamed that I would also have to learn how to fight cancer, but here I am. Recently, I was diagnosed with Stage 3a breast cancer. You can read about that here. Breast Cancer Stories Health Single Mom Out West…
Life, since my cancer diagnosis, has been a bit of a blur, and I have been learning about how to homeschool during cancer treatments. You can learn more about my diagnosis and how I’m handling it here. Breast Cancer Stories Health Single Mom Out West – A cancer diagnosis usually comes as a shock. I’ve…
There are ways to stay healthy. Lifestyle choices matter. Thinking patterns matter. And how I wish that I had put more thought into this. I was recently diagnosed with Stage 3a breast cancer. This is from a person who rarely gets sick. I maintain a mostly healthy weight, stay active, and refrain from drinking or…
Breast cancer stories. Yeah. I have my own. Ah, breast cancer. Because my life wasn’t hard enough. An abnormal mammogram. A biopsy. One lumpectomy. Followed by a mastectomy. Yeah. How exciting. You have got to be kidding. And just like that, life as I knew it was flushed down the proverbial drain. My one thought?…
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…
