It's A Single Mom Thing
Welcome to âIt's A Single Mom Thing,â 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 whatâs not working for youâfinding Christ in the crisis! Whether youâre tuning in early in the morning or late at night, Iâm 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. Weâll share time management hacks, parenting perspectives, co-parenting challenges, and how to find joy and laugh again. Together, weâll 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 Iâm so grateful youâre spending it with me.
It may be a single mom thing, but it doesnât have to be the "single thing" that stops you!
It's A Single Mom Thing
New Year, New You: Your Path to Single Mom Success
đď¸ Episode Title: New Year, New You: Your Path to Single Mom Success
_âReady to leave survival mode behind and step into a year of growth, grace, and thriving? In this first episode of our âNew Year, New Youâ series, weâre laying the foundation for your path to single mom success. Together, weâll explore how shifting your mindset can change your world, why failure is often the doorway to success, and how to embrace growthâeven when it feels uncomfortable.
Plus, Iâll introduce a powerful tool to help you track your journey throughout the year: your very own âThrive in â25 Journal.â Itâs not just about listeningâitâs about living out the lessons we learn together.
Whether youâre feeling ready, hesitant, or somewhere in between, this episode will inspire you to take the first step toward becoming the woman and mother God created you to be. Letâs start the year strongâtogether.â_
Tune in and discover:
- The truth about failure and success
- How changing your words can change your world
- Practical ways to embrace growth and grace in 2025
Letâs thrive in â25!
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 Sheri, 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. What if I told you that the single most powerful thing that you can do this year doesn't cost a penny and doesn't require anyone else's approval? You heard me right. It won't cost you anything. But here's the kicker it has been costing you something. So how is it free? For me, it's changing the way you think. So you stop shortchanging yourself. That's right. It starts with changing your mindset, because the truth is your thoughts shape your world, not the other way around. I wonder how many of you, just like me, have thought that differently. So if you're ready for a new year and a new you, you are back at the right place. It starts right here, sister, right now, and with a new mindset, ready to do some heavy lifting, working out what isn't working for you.
Speaker 1:Welcome back, my single peeps, to our Say it With Me. Yes, fifth season together. What I know? Right? I am moved to tears just thinking about it, and it's really. It's all because of you and the you's listening. I want to first off, start off by saying thank you so much for your time and your shine, because I am just glowing right now just thinking of you. So, as I like to do a play on words and thinking of all the you's listening right now, I want you to know I have a very special year planned for us. As you came to mine, this is our year to reflect, reset and renew Now. As such, this first episode in our what I'm calling Thriving 25 series New Year, new you, your Path to Single Mom Success. So over the next year, you and I, well, we're going to tackle every challenge and every opportunity that comes your way as a single mom together. But before we get to the how-tos of success, we need to lay the foundation, because without the right mindset, all the plans, goals and the to-do lists in the world yeah, they won't stick.
Speaker 1:Now let me tell you something that I have learned the hard way. I used to think success was all about doing more, being more, proving myself to everyone, but what I realized is that success well, real, lasting success it starts in my mind and my heart. When I stopped saying things like I can't do this and started believing with God, I've got this. Everything began to change. Now let me tell you something. I also learned about success that I believe, besides our firm foundation and the rock on which we stand, on that success first starts with failure. You heard me right, see, you have to be ready to fail, for what follows failure. Well, that is your success Ready set, grow.
Speaker 1:Let's start this year by getting ready to grow, not just to survive We've done enough of that, have we not but to truly thrive. If you've ever run a race, you know the power of those three little words Ready, set, go. But for us, this isn't just about running through life, it's about growing through it. Now I'm going to repeat that again it's not about just running through life, it's about growing through it. You see, I tend to think, as single mamas, we are so accustomed to go, go, go, go that we forget to grow, grow, grow. It is possible especially listen, especially in this difficult season to grow. In fact, that's where Jesus does his best work. So let's reframe those words to ready set, grow, words to ready set, grow Ready.
Speaker 1:First, let's get ready by embracing a fresh start, kind of like some fresh makeup. The new year is a clean slate, a chance to leave behind the weight of what didn't work last year and prepare our hearts for what God wants us to do this year. And here's the thing about getting ready. It doesn't mean you have to have it all figured out. It simply means showing up willing to take the next step even if you don't know where the path leads. And I know for us single mamas who are used to being in survival mode what now I am calling thrive mode for 25, that it can be really difficult when you don't know where he has you going and growing.
Speaker 1:So one way to get ready for the journey ahead is to grab a journal. I like to call it your thrive in 25 journal. This will be more than just a notebook. It will be your carry on coaching companion for the year. Now, girl, you want to use this to jot down your thoughts, prayers and the lessons you take from each episode. Ok, so you need to bring this with you next week, just giving you a little homework right there, you see, because by the end of this year it will be so much more than words on paper. By the end of this year, it will be so much more than words on paper. It will be a tangible story of how far you've come and the ways God has worked in your life. It will be your roadmap to success, now set. Next, let's get set by shifting our mindset.
Speaker 1:Success isn't about perfection, it's about progress. You see, perfection is an illusion that never happens getting in the way of progress, if that's what you focus on. And progress, well, it comes when we stop focusing on perfection and fearing failure and instead we start seeing failure as a part of the process of being perfected. Remember, every time you stumble, you are one step closer to success. Don't give up, girl. Get up.
Speaker 1:This is where your journal can become a powerful tool. You see, you can write down those moments of growth, the small victories, the lessons learned and even the failures that stretched you Over time. You'll see how God has been setting you up for success in ways you didn't even realize and in ways you wouldn't even done yourself. Grow, finally grow. Growth doesn't happen all at once. It's a process. It's the small steps you take daily, the seeds you plant in faith and the moments when you choose to keep going, even when it's hard.
Speaker 1:Each week, when we, when you come back to this podcast, bring your Thrive in 25 journal, use it to capture the highlights, the truths that resonate and the next steps you feel called to take. By the end of the year, girl, you will not only see how you've grown, you will uncover and discover the incredible journey God has taken you on. So here's your call to action Ready. Number one open your heart to a fresh start. Number two set, grab your journal and commit to capturing this year's journey. And three grow, step into this season with faith, knowing that God has great things in store for you. This is your moment, girl, to thrive in 25, and it starts today Changing my world, changing my words.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about the power of your words Now. If you've ever caught yourself saying I can't do this or I will never get it right, then you know how quickly those words can shape your world. Have you ever noticed that? So let's do a little reflect, reset, renew, work right here, right now, on your first day in Thriving 25. Have you ever looked back to a bad day and reflected on why it went south? Possibly did your words turn your world upside down. You see, here's the truth. What you say to yourself, it matters. As I like to say, your chatter matters. Your words have the power to tear you down or lift you up, to keep you stuck or move you forward. And if you want to change your world, well, it starts by changing your words. Said differently, let's look to the word to see what it has to say about our words, the power of words. And we're going to find that in Proverbs 18, 21, which reminds us the tongue has the power of life and death. That's not just a nice saying, it's a call to action.
Speaker 1:Girl, you see, your words are seeds and what you plant, it will grow. If you plant negativity, self-doubt and fear, don't be surprised when that's what fills your world. You see, seeds of doubt. They can kill a garden. They are seeds, well I like to say, turned into weeds that choke, strangle and entangle your garden with more thoughts that can keep you in survival mode instead of what we want to do, in thrive mode. So, but if that's true, we also know that if we plant seeds of, maybe, faith, hope and love, you'll see a very different harvest, possibly one you didn't even think was possible.
Speaker 1:You see, the key is learning to speak life into your circumstances, even when it feels hard. So let me ask you would this be a good year to plant something different, to possibly even bloom where you're planted, reframing negative narratives. So let's be honest Life as a single mom comes with challenges and it's easy to slip into negative self-talk. But maybe if you've caught yourself thinking I'm doing this all alone or I'm not enough, but let me ask you, what if you flipped those statements on his head? Instead of I'm doing this all alone, try, god is with me every step of the way, he is near. Instead of I'm not enough, say I'm equipped for the season. He is enough. Therefore, I am enough. Right here, right now, even when things go left, you are enough.
Speaker 1:You see you, my dear, you have the power, the power to change your words and soon you'll start to see, your world will shift, as I like to say, shift happens. So here are some practical steps for that to happen. Number one these are steps to speak life. Number one catch phrases and catch your words. Number one these are steps to speak life. Number one catch phrases and catch your words.
Speaker 1:Pay attention to what you say about yourself and your situation. You may take a pause, if you need to, for the cause to write that down in your Thriving 25 journal. You see, girl, are your words building you up or breaking you down. Number two, then what you want to do is you want to replace and reframe them. Or, like I like to say, erase and replace. You see, when you catch a negative narrative thought spot, it got. It is what I like to say. You replace it with truth. Write it down in your Thriving 25 journal, for example. If you think I can't do this, replace it with with God, I can do all things. And then number three daily verse victories. Or let me say that differently daily victory verses.
Speaker 1:Start each day by speaking victory verses over your life. Here's one that you can do to get started I am strong, I am loved and I am capable. God is working all things together for my good. It's a truth bomb to blow up your day in a good way. So, truth be told. Your Thriving 25 journal. Well, it is the perfect place to practice. This is the perfect place to practice this. Create a page just for words of life affirmations, declarations, truth bombs or victory verses, bible verses or even simple truths, like I'm doing the best I can and that's enough. I don't have to have all the answers. I know the one who has my answers. You see, when you feel discouraged. Flip back to those words and remind yourself of the power that you have to speak life into your world. So here's your challenge for this week Pay attention to your words.
Speaker 1:Start noticing the way you speak to yourself and about your situation. When you catch a negative thought or a negative narrative, write it down in your journal and flip it into something life-giving. You see, because when you change your words you'll start to see how they change your world. Begin to notice sudden shifts that start to happen, how your posture, much like your attitude, starts to straighten up. Catch your confidence. Feel the light of your spirit. Enjoy the joy and the miles of smiles that suddenly show up on your face, even when you face difficult situations.
Speaker 1:Notice the new you that tries to take a peek as you step a small step outside your comfort zone, but then also notice the old you that wants you to have a seat. What does she say? Is it something you or someone close to you spoke over your life? What does she want you to do? What does she have to gain if you don't make any new gains from doing those mindsets this year? Record those thoughts, too, and the catchphrases, and do that. Catch them, hold every thought captive that has been holding you, my dear captive Growth and grace. So, as I close, I want to leave you with two words that will carry you through this journey Growth and grace. So, as I close, I want to leave you with two words that will carry you through this journey Growth and grace.
Speaker 1:Growth is what you're aiming for. It's the progress we make, the lessons we learn and the ways we stretch ourselves to become the women and the mothers and, some of you, the grandmothers God created us to be. But grace, it is what sustains us, it's what catches us when we fall, reminds us we're human and whispers that God's love doesn't depend on how well we perform. In fact, if we're going to perform, he'd prefer it was with our imagination and dreams, like we used to do when we were kids the balance between growth and grace.
Speaker 1:So here's the thing about growth. It's not always a straight line. Some days you'll feel like you're thriving and other days you might feel like you're barely surviving. That's OK, girl, because growth is messy I mean, your garden is full of dirt, my dear it's imperfect. And that's where grace steps in. Grace says you don't have to have it all together because I got you. Grace allows you to stumble and still keep moving forward. Grace allows you to stumble and still keep moving forward, even when you're stuck in the mud. God's grace in your growth.
Speaker 1:One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 12 9, and it says my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. That means that even on the days when you feel like you fail, god's grace is there to fill in the gaps. Girl, it's his strength, not ours, that carries us through. So when you're growing, lean on his grace. When you're tired, lean on his strength. And when you're tempted to give up, remember that he's not finished with you yet and he has not given up on you.
Speaker 1:So here's some practical ways to embrace growth and grace. Number one celebrate those small wins. Growth isn't about giant leaps. It's about the small faithful steps you take every day. Write those moments in your journal and celebrate them, because they matter. Number two give yourself some grace when you fall short, because you know you will don't let it derail you. Instead, write it down what have you learned? And thank God for his grace keeping you on track and keeping you move forward. And number three extend grace to others.
Speaker 1:Now, this might be kind of hard, but this is where you're going to grow. You see, as you grow, remember that the same grace God gives you is meant to overflow to those around you. That means your kids, your coworkers, the other co-parent, even the stranger who cuts you off in traffic. Yeah, grace is a gift we give ourselves and others, and it's one we didn't deserve. So here's my prayer for you as we start this new year. My prayer is that you would grow in ways you never imagined and that you would experience God's grace in ways you never thought was possible. Remember, you don't have to do this perfectly. You just have to do it faithfully and with growth and grace. You're already on the path to thriving in 25. So take some time this week to write in your Thriving 25 journal. Reflect on where you are, where you want to grow and where you need grace. Let this be the year you see God's hand in your life like never before. And next week we'll take another step together on this incredible journey. Until then, keep growing and keep showing up and keep thriving. Remember, this year we are going to reflect, reset and renew.
Speaker 1:So before we wrap up today's episode, I have an exciting invitation for all the amazing single moms living in the Tampa Bay area. We are kicking off the new year with our very first it's a Single Mom Thing class of 2025, and I'd love for you to join us. Our first class is happening on Tuesday, january 14th, and we meet every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Starkey Road Baptist Church from 6 to 7 30 pm. And here's what you can expect Free child care, a free meal and time to connect and mingle with other single moms who get it. Girl, this month we're starting strong with a class on practical prayer, because if you want to thrive in this year, there is no better foundation than prayer. So don't wait. Start your new year and your new you off right by joining us. For more information and inspiration, visit shepherdsvillagecom.
Speaker 1:Forward slash classes. We can't wait to see you there. Have a wonderful week and remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you. 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.
