“The answers to your personal life’s journey are in Him and in His Word. While writing this I can hear many say, but you don’t know what I am going through. God does. Years ago, I was a single parent on welfare with two kids living in my mother’s basement. I sat on my bed and thought what am I going to do? How did I get here? We were not raised in church but at that moment, a thought popped in my mind to go open the bible that my mother had sitting on the kitchen table. I ran upstairs and opened the bible. To make a long story short, the course of my life changed that very day. Looking back it’s scary to think, what if I had not made that right turn off of the road leading to my destruction. The bible has been my lifeline. We don’t live according to the standards of this world but by the Word of God.”

— Trina B

“It is a blessing to be alive. It’s even more of a blessing to have children! Although times may get hard we are never alone! God is always there protecting and providing!!!”

— ❤Vicki C

“You matter

You are enough

You are loved

You are appreciated

You are amazing!!

Your self worth does not depend on how well you succeed, how much you accomplish or what others think of you.  You self worth is what you think of yourself.”

—Tara F

“When you can’t control what is happening around you, challenge yourself to control how you respond - That is where your POWER is! You only have so much emotional energy each day. Don’t fight battles that don’t matter! Celebrate your strength and your progress! Stand in Faith, even when you are having the hardest time of your life! Give to YOURSELF what everybody else is requiring; your time, your heart and your love! Be smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it!”

—Terry H

Being a single-parent is not for the weak which is good because you are by no means weak; you’re doing the job that was meant for two which is good because YOU ARE NOT ALONE; you cannot be both mother and father which is good because you weren’t meant to be.  You won’t be the perfect parent but then, you weren’t meant to be.  Here’s what you are:  an example, a shoulder, a smile through the rough and tough times, a counselor, a physician, refuge and a strong tower when they try to seek refuge in friends who fail them; you’re a rock and you are light for them in dark places.  How, you say, can I be or do all these things?  Through Christ who is the sum total of all those things and everything in between; He is the One who can and will strengthen YOU in your attempt to do what he has called you to - parenting!   He has placed a wealth and army of believers around you that you cannot see, but will be there as you lean and summon Him to do what you don’t know you’re able to do.  Seek Him and give him Glory and He WILL direct your path/steps.  It’s not for the weak or faint of heart, but then YOU, are not either of those.  You’re a child of the Most High God...the KING of Kings....now straighten your crown... and let’s go!

I struggled with this question for a long time until I realized that my kids were spiritually malnourished. While I cannot be both mother and father, I can teach my teen daughters about Jesus and be an example of a godly woman. I’ll never be the perfect parent, but I can lead our family in becoming more Christ-like.

My leadership role expanded when I made some positive, though sometimes uncomfortable, changes in our family culture. It was hard for me to initiate the changes, and it was tough to live them out. It meant doing things that did not come naturally. To better serve Christ as a family, each of us had to decide to step out of our comfort zone every day.

—Charlotte D

Being a single parent has many challenges, but never stop trying and always remember GOD will never leave you nor will He forsake you!  And know that your Blessings Await You, just keep the FAITH!!!

—Rhonda W

You are never alone

1 Peter 5:7

It really does take a village and your village can be other “single parents”.  However when you need a minute Take a minute ~ peace/quiet is a powerful thing whenever that time is.

—Carole M

Always put God first and stay prayed up. Do the best you can and pay attention to your child/children. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You are not alone, pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You can be all you want to be.

—Yvonne D

“Thank you!” Every sacrifice and every challenge you’ve faced and overcome is greatly appreciated! You are strong and courageous and the Lord himself is with you every day! Keep smiling and know you’re a great parent!

—Zakia G

Don’t forget to slow down enough to give and receive hugs with your kids - every day! Hugs are healing and help remind us of the love we have for our children and parents when sometimes we are more focused on survival. 

—RVE

Being a parent is a wonderful blessing. Never allow yourself to think or believe that it is not. Never allow your child to think or believe otherwise. For me, it was not a job, but a privilege, an honor, a most adored gift. As everyday is different so is every child. Do not expect to get it right every time or make perfect decisions. Remember, when you have given your best you can work toward the rest.

—Darlene D

Follow your dreams and remember that being a single parent doesn’t limit you it pushes you to be all you can be for your children.

—Audrey W

You are the best mother or father your child will ever have.  God entrusted you with this child and has provided the wherewithal to raise them well.  Part of this knowledge is reaching out for partners to come along side them to enhance the child’s growth.  You are more than enough!!

—Jackie J

Don’t isolate your children from their family. I moved from my home town to create a better opportunity for myself and my children. I took them back home weekends to keep their connection. It’s was hard but I did it.

—Roz S

(Living the God-Dream) As single parents, it’s easy to fall into the mindset of a statistic or victim.  There are varying feelings and emotions that come up at different times in our lives, especially on important dates or holidays.  Whatever circumstances led you to become a single parent, do not let that define you or how you parent.  Use that situation to propel you to foster healthy relationships with God, yourself, your children and with others in your village.  These relationships are important for you to be healthy and show up as your best self.  Here are a few tips I hope you can use: 1. Nurture your relationships with God and yourself 2. Forgive often; it clears your mental space for goodness to find you. 3. Develop a village for yourself.  They are there to support you, not just to babysit when you need a day off, but to speak life into you when you need it most. 4. Encourage and be there for others.

—Veronica B

No matter how difficult life may seem and although there are wars on all sides, be assured God is still with you. If Jesus went through being nailed to a cross for a crime he didn’t commit and the Father came and got His Son out of that grave condition, then He will do the same for you. I can testify to that myself.

—Barbara S

Create routines for your children. They love structure! Also, consistency and praise are very important. Positive reinforcement can make a difference on so many levels. Lastly, make time for yourself to relax, refresh and regroup and don’t feel guilty about it! Your children need you at your best!

—Marilyn K

God, it’s clear that You are turning me into a Godly woman, but how do I become a Godly mom?  He answered me saying; “Surrender them to Me.  You are just an overseer.  They belong to Me.”  And that’s exactly what I did!  I surrendered them all over to Him!  Although, I had found myself re-surrendering them back over to Him, time and time again, I have found our Father God, in all of His infinite wisdom, to be all that my children (now adults) could have ever needed.  Consistently and continuously.  I clung to and stood on Psalms 68:5 “Father to the fatherless and a judge and protector of widows, is God in His Holy habitation” Stay Encouraged!

—Diana B

Let the child know that God will make up for the other parent not being there. My son missed the male figure in his life and he blamed himself even at an early age. I would remind myself and him that ...”when your mother and father have forsaken you God will be with you always...” Trust God to give you grace to give your child what he/she needs. You can’t always be the hero or she-ro; sometimes whether you want to or not you end up being the bad guy or girl. Be careful not to give them too much freedom or buy them every single thing they want. Don’t let the other parent’s absence cause you to withhold discipline. (Joyce Meyer) Do things together instead of just sitting them in front of the TV or computer. For me sometimes the TV was the only babysitter I had. If you feel like you don’t have a lot of time to spend with them because of things you have to do around the house or work, include them in your day to day tasks and make a game out of it. When kids are young you can make a game out of anything, just be creative act goofy they will love it. I taught my son, to play soccer, to swim, ride a bike, skate on a skateboard, fly remote control planes, build legos and the list goes on... mind you, I hate being in water more than 6 feet deep, I have two left feet, I crashed the remote control planes, and in soccer I still don’t know what off sides mean. My son and I have a great relationship most of the time and what I love most we would quote Bible scriptures to get us through the hard times and we still do today and he’s 19 years old and in college studying Computer Science. Find a support group of people, either from your church or a couple of friends, who can act as a sounding board for you when you need encouragement or help. While I was in the Marine Corps we were all family and we helped each other out, truly a blessing.  And most of all, remember: You don’t have to be both parents—God will make up for what’s missing! (Joyce Meyer).

—Shaunta R

The very first thing I would say to all single adults, with or without children, young or old is this: Make it right with God first! I have learned to trust God’s perspective.  We only see immediate future, but God sees everything because his timing is perfect. Romans 8:28 For all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Just knowing God had His own plan already for me was so comforting! He is always there, He is always listening, He is already making my decisions, He is always taking my loneliness, He is my best friend, my best buddy, my best decision maker and He is always with me. None of us are ever alone!  Seasons come and go in our lives, just like spring, summer, and winter.  Some seasons we like better than others, but none of them last forever. Just stay in His Word, memorize it and trust Him in all circumstances.

—Mary I

Take some time for self care and don’t feel guilty about it! You are taking care of kids but don’t forget to take care of you.

—Tanya M