Category: Parenting


  • The Surprising Advantages of Being a Solo Parent

    Being a solo parent isn’t easy—but that doesn’t mean it’s all struggle. In fact, there are some very real advantages that come with parenting on your own. It’s not about pretending it’s always sunshine and smiles; it’s about acknowledging the ways this path can offer unique gifts. If you’re in the thick of it or…

  • Taking Care of Yourself, Too: Why Solo Mom Self-Care Isn’t Optional

    There’s a reason the airline safety video tells you to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. It’s not just a metaphor—it’s survival. As a solo mom, you are the entire support system. Taking care of yourself isn’t indulgent. It’s the only way to keep showing up for your child day after day.…

  • Protecting Without Smothering: Finding the Balance as a Solo Mom

    When you’re raising a child on your own, the weight of keeping them safe can feel overwhelming. You’re the primary decision-maker, the emotional safety net, and often the only one standing between your child and the world. The instinct to protect runs deep—but being a great single mom means knowing how to protect without smothering.…

  • Honoring Your Child’s Independence: Letting Them Grow Without Letting Go

    When you’re parenting on your own, the bond between you and your child can be incredibly strong. You’re a team, a unit, often tackling life together. But one of the marks of great single parenting is knowing when to step back. Because part of loving your child well is helping them become their own person.…

  • Modeling Growth and Repair: Being Human, Not Perfect

    One of the biggest myths about great parenting is that you have to always get it right. But here’s the truth—great single moms don’t aim for perfection. They model growth. They make mistakes, own them, and show their kids what repair looks like. Why Modeling Matters So Much Your child is always watching. They’re learning…

  • Being Emotionally Present: The Gift of Showing Up

    When you’re a single mom, your time, energy, and attention are constantly pulled in a hundred directions. It’s easy to feel like you’re always multitasking, always managing, always behind. But one of the most powerful things you can offer your child—especially in the chaos—is your emotional presence. What Emotional Presence Actually Looks Like You don’t…

  • Creating Safety and Predictability: The Backbone of Solo Mom Parenting

    When you’re the only adult at home, it’s not just about getting things done—it’s about creating an environment where your child feels grounded. One of the most powerful tools a solo mom can rely on is predictability. Structure and safety don’t always look glamorous, but they’re everything. Why Structure Matters So Much Kids thrive on…

  • Empathy Is Hard: How Solo Moms Show Up Anyway

    Being a solo mom means you’re the default for everything—meals, laundry, logistics, decisions. But beyond the visible tasks is the emotional labor of parenting solo. Your child still needs the same empathy, patience, and presence they’d need in a two-parent household—only you’re the one carrying it all. The Emotional Load Is Real It’s hard to…

  • Building a Thoughtful Life: How Solo Parenting Changes Your View of Risk

    When you’re a solo parent, risk takes on a whole new meaning. Every decision you make — from career moves to daily routines — is no longer just about you. It’s about the wellbeing of the small person who depends on you completely. There’s no backup plan. No second adult to catch the pieces if…

  • Solo Parent vs. Single Parent: Why the Distinction Matters (At Least to Me)

    When I describe myself as a solo parent, I sometimes get a puzzled look or a follow-up question: “Oh, you mean single mom?”Sort of. But also—not really. I want to talk about what this distinction means to me, and why I choose the term solo parent even though I technically fit the definition of a…