It's A Single Mom Thing
Welcome to “It's A Single Mom Thing,” the show for single moms by single moms, hosted by Sherry Chandler.
Being a solo momma and present parent is hard work, and losing focus is easy when you forget your faith. The good news is you are not alone. You were singled out this season, and together, we can work on what’s not working for you—finding Christ in the crisis! Whether you’re tuning in early in the morning or late at night, I’m here for you, momma.
This podcast is your go-to space for navigating life as a single mom with faith, fun, and a fresh perspective. We'll cover everything from mastering a single-mom success mindset and budgeting like a boss to prioritizing self-care and raising resilient kids. We’ll share time management hacks, parenting perspectives, co-parenting challenges, and how to find joy and laugh again. Together, we’ll move from surviving to thriving in every season of single motherhood.
Be encouraged. Get inspired. You can do this, momma.
Each Monday, join me for practical advice, relatable stories, and uplifting conversations as we walk this journey from solo momma to solo momma. I promise not to take too much of your time, and I’m so grateful you’re spending it with me.
It may be a single mom thing, but it doesn’t have to be the "single thing" that stops you!
It's A Single Mom Thing
Santa Doesn't Pay Child Support
The holidays are here, and so is the pressure to make them magical! But single moms, let’s keep it real—Santa doesn’t pay child support, and the holiday magic doesn’t need to max out your wallet or your sanity.
In this episode, Sherry takes a humorous yet heartfelt look at the financial pressures of the season, sharing practical tips to create meaningful memories without going broke. From setting boundaries on gift-giving expectations (and handling those who don’t honor them) to keeping your focus on the greatest gift of all—Jesus—this episode is packed with wisdom, laughter, and a whole lot of love.
🎄 Highlights include:
✨ Fun, budget-friendly ideas for building holiday traditions
✨ How to gracefully handle over-the-top gift-givers
✨ A reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season—and He’s got your back in every season
Tune in for a mix of sass, encouragement, and hope that will leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, and ready to rock your crown this Christmas—tilts and all.
It's a Single Mom Thing, Not the Single Thing That Stops You!
Welcome to it's a Single Mom Thing, the show for single moms by single moms. This is Sherri, your host, and I am happy you are here today. Remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you.
Speaker 2:All right, my single peeps, let's have a little chat about the holidays that are here, and so is the pressure to deliver a picture-perfect season for our kiddos. And you know what? As a single mama, I am here to remind you of, well, several important truths. But here's one Santa doesn't pay your child support, heard. Nope, not a dime, but I didn't have to tell you that. Just look at your checking account balance. But you know what I find worse than a lump of coal in my stocking? That's that, this jolly guy. Well, he gets all the credit while we're out here managing budgets tighter than those elf leggings.
Speaker 2:Sound familiar? Well, stay tuned, because we're diving into how to make this holiday magical and miraculous without maxing out your credit cards or your sanity. Welcome back to another episode of it's a Single Mom Thing the holiday hang-up. All right, so let's dive into what I like to call the holiday hang-up that gets some single peeps hung up like a strand of knotted Christmas lights this time of year. You know what I'm talking about that pressure to make the holidays bigger and brighter than our budget, and it happens every single year. It's like the moment the calendar flips to December. Well, november. These days, we're suddenly expected to turn into Martha Stewart with a Beyonce-level energy and Elon Musk's bank account. Well, here's a spoiler alert. We're not, and well, we don't need to be. Here's bank account Well, here's a spoiler alert. We're not, and well, we don't need to be.
Speaker 2:Here's another truth, mama, listen. The holidays, they weren't meant to be a competition or a stress test for your sanity, but somehow, isn't it funny? Society has convinced us that, unless we're buying the biggest gifts or recreating hallmark movie moments or somehow falling short, and for single mama woof, that pressure hits even harder than an ice snowball to the face. Because, let's face it, we're already doing the work of two people, and now we're supposed to do it while wrapping gifts and pretending we have it all and have it all together. I don't think so. The holiday hang up, it isn't for real. But here's the good news. We already have the good news, girl. And his name is Jesus. We know that girl, that he's the reason for the season, not the gifts, the lights or the Pinterest perfect decor. Christmas isn't about how much you can give, and you know that, but it's about celebrating how much was already given to us a savior who came to bring hope, peace and joy. So let's hang Santa's hat on that one and let out the pressure of our pressure cooker that we are cooking ourselves in. You see, the season isn't about the size of your tree or the number of presents under it. It's about the love you share, the laughter you create, the present moments and the light of Jesus that should be filling our homes. You know that, girl. And the best part, that kind of joy, oh that kind of joy, doesn't come with a price tag. It comes with a promise Making memories without breaking the bank. So, with our focus on the main thing, we can flip the Christmas light, switch to your holiday spending before it spends you.
Speaker 2:So let's be real. You know the holidays well. They can feel like a financial marathon with no finish line in sight. Between gifts, dinner, school events and everything in between, the to-do list grows faster than the Grinch's heart on Christmas Day. And when you're a single mom, ooh the weight of making it all happen. It can be a lot, but here's the thing you don't have to go broke to make it special.
Speaker 2:Well now, your Discover card doesn't want you to discover that, but remember this. Your kids they don't. Card doesn't want you to discover that, but remember this, your kids. They don't need a pile of presents to feel loved. Honestly, what they'll remember is the time spent together, not the money spent that you don't have. It's about the giggles and the wiggles and the love and the laughter and the traditions. Trust me, that's worth way more than anything you could wrap up with a giant bow, and it's interest free. So how can a parent create those Pinterest worthy moments without the price tag? Let's get a little creative here, ladies. Here are a few ideas to spark some holiday magic without burning like a yuletide log through your wallet.
Speaker 2:Number one DYI gifts and crafts. Turn on some Christmas music and grab some glitter and get crafty with your kids. Handmade gifts, whether it's paper ornaments or pinch pottery, ooh decorations they're not only budget friendly but they are also full of heart. You know, I actually have all of the decorations my son made over the years and I hang them all on what I like to call the mini max tree. It's a smaller scale, pre-lit Christmas tree full of all the ages and Christmas stages of my son that I put out every year, and it is my favorite tree over the big Douglas fir.
Speaker 2:Traditions over transactions this is number two. Start simple traditions like Christmas PJs and pizza, christmas movie night, car rides and carols while driving around to look at holiday lights or baking cookies with their besties. These are the things your kids will remember long after the toys are forgotten and broken. Give the gift of experiences Now. Listen. Instead of spending big bucks on gifts, plan a special outing or activity, something as simple as picnic at the park or a game night. Listen, ladies, memories are greater than material things. Every time, in fact, it is a time-honored tradition in my house. Now that my boy is full-time and employed, we have agreed to spend time together over spending money on gifts.
Speaker 2:We pick either a trip or an experience we want to share together and we book it, Setting boundaries with gift-giving expectations. Okay, so now it's time to talk about those well-meaning but sometimes overstepping relatives and co-parents. You know, the ones who want to outdo everyone else or load your kids up with gifts that don't align with your values or your budget. The ones who don't realize yeah, the Santa doesn't pay your child support.
Speaker 2:We need to wrap up those expectations early. So, one, we're going to communicate them. It's okay to set boundaries politely, by letting others know what's helpful versus what's overwhelming, maybe suggest a gift limit or encourage experiences over excess. And here's another thing you could do you can stay in your lane. Don't let anyone guilt you into feeling like you're not doing enough. You are a woman of worth, as a mom, and it's not measured by how many presents are under the tree. It's in the love you pour into your kids every single day. So, with that, though, you might be thinking to yourself yeah, but what if the other grandparents took what I suggested and then they threw it out the window? Okay, first of all, you need to slow your roll and listen to this pro tip You're going to learn to flip the script with some gratitude and redirection.
Speaker 2:Now, when someone rolls in with a gift that's way outside of what you discussed, it's easy to feel frustrated or undermined, right. But here's the deal Instead of letting it steal your peace, flip the script, thank them graciously, because their heart was probably in the right place, and then use the moment to redirect the focus. So, when someone doesn't honor the gift giving boundaries you set and shows up with a big, expensive gift anyway. Well, yeah, it can feel frustrating, but here's the key Respond with grace, not guilt. So you might say something like thank you so much, this was incredibly thoughtful of you. You see, I'm teaching the kids to appreciate experiences and the value of thoughtful, simple gifts, so this is a great opportunity to talk about gratitude with them. And then this shows appreciation while subtly reinforcing your values, without creating tension. Then you can take it up a step further have the kids send the gift giver a handwritten thank you card. Not only is this a great lesson in gratitude for your kids, but it also gives you the chance to include a gentle note of your own, something like why thank you so much for your generosity? I'm trying to keep Christmas simple and focus on meaningful moments, so next year I'd love to stick to smaller gifts or experiences. So I truly appreciate your understanding. God bless you. You see, this keeps the tone positive while reinforcing the boundary for the future.
Speaker 2:You want to create the heart and hope of the holidays. At the end of the day, you know it, the holidays aren't about keeping up with Santa, or anyone else for that matter. They're about what we talked about earlier, celebrating love, joy and togetherness. Your kids will treasure the memories of the moments you shared, not the price tag on their gifts. So when you feel the pressure creeping in, take a deep breath and remind yourself. Santa may not pay your child support, but you're the one who brings the real magic to your family and that, my friend, ooh, that is priceless.
Speaker 2:So, as we wrap up this episode, let's take a moment to reflect on what the holidays are truly about, and I like to call them the holy days. They're not about maxing out your credit cards or creating a picture perfect scene straight out of the holiday commercial. The real heart of the season, yeah, it is found in the love we share, the joy we nurture and the hope we hold on to, not just during Christmas season, but in every season of life. And that hope it's found in Jesus. Christmas is a reminder that we've already been given the greatest gift of all a Savior who stepped into our messy, imperfect world to bring peace, joy and an everlasting love. The decorations, the presents, the festivities yeah, they're just extras. The real reason we celebrate is the light of Christ shining brighter than any string of holiday lights ever could.
Speaker 2:So when the pressure of the season starts to weigh heavy. Girl, remember this the joy of the Lord is your strength, and you find that in Nehemiah 8.10. Let that joy guide you, comfort you and fill your home with peace. The holidays, they may come with their challenges, listen, but the good news is is that Jesus brings hope, not just in this season, but in every season of your life. So how about we go ahead and make a pack and let's focus on what matters most? Let's slow our roll and savor the miraculous moments Reading a Christmas story with your kids, laughing over hot cocoa printed pajamas, or just taking a quiet moment to thank God for the blessings in your life. These are the moments that matter, the ones that remind us of the heart and the hope of the holidays. So, mama, as you go into the season, hold on to that hope. Let it guide you, lift you and remind you that you're never alone.
Speaker 2:Jesus is with you through every challenge, every joy and every imperfect moment. The heart and hope of Christmas isn't found in what you can give, but it is in what's already been given to you. Isn't found in what you can give, but it is in what's already been given to you. Rest in that truth and let it fill your heart with peace and joy. And remember, queen, we know it isn't Santa who pays you the child support Jesus does. He's got your back, your front and everything in between. Until next week, keep that crown steady and your hopes high. Have a wonderful week and remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you.
Speaker 1:Thanks for listening to. It's a Single Mom Thing. I hope you enjoyed our time together. If you have more questions on how to have a relationship with Jesus or need prayer, visit us at wwwshepherdsvillagecom. Backslash prayer. For more information and resources, check out our show notes.
