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…
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…
Some days, we need a new song and a fresh start. I once knew a man who had struggled with the same thing for years. He was exhausted. During this time of exhaustion, Satan pressed hard on him. He believed the only way to remove the burden was to give in and give up. I…
Free activities for families may be a great way to make memories and have a lot of fun! There are tons of ways to do this! I spent some time today going over photos from a few years ago. Some of these memories were when I had $1.78 in my checking account! What was amazing…
In the dead of winter, I start my winter garden preparations. It may be because I’m so tired of being cold, but whatever the reason, it gives me time to think through my garden plans. Learning to garden can be tricky, but it’s worth the extra effort. The following link is to my simple steps…
This is one of several organizing tips for busy moms that have helped me! Lately, it has occurred to me that some things are not getting done. Sure, I may have just been swamped. That’s true. But I think there’s more to it than that. I use my busy mom’s cleaning routine, and it works…
It wasn’t very long ago that reality snuck in. I gained a full understanding of the lies I had believed and the mistakes I was making. I wondered how to admit mistakes and move on. The truth is like seeing yourself in a well-lit room in a full-length mirror. Rather unpleasant. But every once in…
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…
Perhaps because it is ridiculously cold outside, I’ve been wondering how to create a cozy home; I’m not sure. But whatever it is, it’s been on my mind. I want my children to remember a cozy home. Today, we are in another blizzard, and I swear I see the birds shivering. And I’m grateful for…
Finding rest for your soul means quieting yourself before God and centering yourself. It’s a challenge for everyone, but peace requires it. Here is my favorite, peaceful music. On the urge to run. Away. Far away. I’ll be honest: this week, I wanted to RUN. And while I was at it, I wanted it to…
Giving yourself grace and talking kindly about yourself may be the start of finding peace regarding your past. It’s around this time of year that I get spring fever. I have forgotten last year’s gardening fails and chicken woes, and I am ready to start over! Winter lasts forever here (I honestly don’t think I’m…
Gaining a positive self-image is possible, but we must rethink our identity. Seeing ourselves as daughters of “The King” can give us a new start! The starting point requires us to slow down long enough to deal with our uncomfortable feelings. This deep sense of unworthiness? I’ve seen it a hundred times. In others and…
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…
Sometimes, I don’t recognize the gifts from God. I’m so wrapped up in difficult circumstances that I miss them. While wrapping the Christmas gifts last night, I had some lulls. It’s nothing big, but I am slightly tired of the complications. And thinking that life would be better if it were easier. A lot easier….
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…
I’m not Shakespeare, but here’s my attempt at a romance story. One short romance story saturated with too much reality. Ridiculous Romance Movies. It’s romance season on TV. And it’s killing me. One may think my divorce made me cynical or jaded, but I don’t think many women can relate to them! I cannot identify…
Being grateful is always a choice. It may mean sorting through what you thought should happen in your life and looking for and finding things to be grateful for. The way it is. My life isn’t terrible. I’m a lot better off than lots of people. I have two older vehicles, a small (barely worth…
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…
Some days are just hard, and this is hope for the hard days. Some days, I’d like to scream, but it would do little good. No one would listen. And then you would have to apologize. And who likes to do that? Murphy’s Law. Murphy’s Law. When things can go wrong. They will go wrong….
