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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
Moments That Make a Mother: Spending Time Like It’s Sacred
In this soul-stirring Mother’s Day episode, Sherry invites single moms to pause and reflect on the power of moments—big and small-that shape motherhood. Inspired by her return to her alma mater 30 years after graduation (this time with her son in the car asking questions that matter), Sherry unpacks how time isn't just something we spend—it's something we invest.
Whether you're folding laundry, attending graduation ceremonies, or managing meltdowns, every moment carries meaning. This episode will encourage you to trade guilt for grace and embrace the sacred in your everyday.
✨ Expect:
- Real-talk reflections from Sherry’s personal journey
- Thought-provoking truths about how we spend time and energy
- A reminder that your presence is the most powerful present
- Mother’s Day encouragement for moms who feel unseen, overwhelmed, or behind
⏳ Because motherhood isn’t measured in milestones—it’s made in moments.
💖 This year, give yourself credit for showing up—again and again.
Listen now and be reminded: You’re not just making it through the day—you’re making a legacy.
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. What up, my ladies and solo mamas. Welcome back to another episode of it's a Single Mom Thing, where we strut through life with fierce faith, zero filter and limitless love for our kids and even ourselves.
Speaker 1:So today we're not talking about the size of the bouquet or if breakfast in bed is even in the forecast this Mother's Day. Spoiler alert cold toast, soggy cereal and spilt orange juice might be more like it. Nope, today we are going deeper. We are talking about the sacred currency of time, because motherhood, it's not made in the milestones, it's made in the moments, and how we spend those moments shapes the legacy our children will one day walk in. You see, this past weekend I had a full circle moment. I watched my niece graduate from the University of Florida, the same place I graduated, I don't know how many years ago. I know I don't look a day over fabulous, but as I sat there I have to be honest. That cap and gown flashback swirling in my mind something hit me hard. Time flies like take your breath away fast, and not just in the they grow up so quick kind of way, but in the what am I doing with the moments I have now, kind of way. And ladies, listen, that question it wasn't just for me, it was for you too. Because, if we're going to be honest, some days we're spending time wisely and some days, on the other occasion, we're spending energy trying to just survive. And with Mother's Day right around the corner, I want to invite you into a powerful mindset shift. My little gift to you what if every ordinary moment was actually sacred ground? Think about that for a second. Today I'm going to help you flip that script from the survive in the chaos to creating moments of meaning, even if life feels messy, even if your co-parent is MIA, even if your heart is tired and your sink is full. Because the truth is, you don't need perfect moments to create powerful ones. Moments are the currency of a meaningful life. You ever blink and wonder how in the world you got here For me.
Speaker 1:I had that moment when I became a single mom at the age of 36. And then I had that same twitch in my eye moment this past weekend just experienced it a little differently. One minute you're cramming for college finals. Next minute you're cheering at your niece's graduation with your 21-year-old son next to you and realizing it's been too many years since your own walk across that same stage. I was young, naive and ready to take on the world. With a future so bright, I needed some sunglasses. Time yeah, she's not playing this.
Speaker 1:I realized on my two-hour car ride, reflecting on my own life, adventures that looked way differently than when I crossed that stage at my own graduation the many moments that have shaped my life, my viewpoint and even my figure. But here's the thing that really came to the forefront of my mind this past weekend your life isn't measured in milestones. It's made up of moments the car ride conversations, the late night cuddles, boo-boo kisses, the lunch packing permission slips, signing, never-ending laundry folding, grind, bird and bees conversations that sometimes stung in more ways than one. These aren't just the chores, they are chapters, and too often we let these sacred slices of life slide by while we chase something bigger, shinier or more impressive. Kind of like a lure at the end of a fishing pole, it sounds like this I'll play with them after I finish this, or we'll do something fun. Next weekend, when things slow down, I'll really focus. But mamas, listen. Your child is living their childhood right now and you, you're smack dab in the middle of your motherhood. Take it from me if you waste the moment, you might miss the memory Priceless. So let this be your gentle wake-up call. Don't wait for the next big thing. Savor the small things. They're the ones you'll wish you could bottle up later as you take them with you on your adventure when your own birds fly the nest.
Speaker 1:Psalms 90.12 says Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Said differently, teach us to treasure the moments so we don't waste the miracle. What you model, they multiply. Ladies, here's a truth bomb that might hit you right in the feels. Your kids are watching you more than they are listening to you and while deep down inside you kind of know this girl, you could preach purpose, grit and gratitude till you're blue in the face. But they're learning when they see you live it out.
Speaker 1:You pause to pray before panicking. They notice you clean the kitchen with music blasting and a little joy in your step, even though you're exhausted. They're taking notes. You cry, wipe your tears and still get up the next morning choosing grace over grudges. That's some legacy level modeling. Right there, they're watching your walk way more than your words, and when they get older, they start asking questions about the milestones that made you.
Speaker 1:Let me tell you, nothing brings that truth home like driving through a college campus with your son while he's asking you about your own college days, your life BC before him, the moments that defined you, the ones he's now trying to understand. So let me ask you are you showing your kids how to just get through life or how to live it with grit, grace and, of course, god? Take a second and ask yourself is the life I'm living right now living me or am I living it? Am I just going through the motions or making waves of meaningful change? Because here's what I know when you thrive, when you choose joy, reclaim your faith and walk in your worth, you're handing your kids a front row seat to resilience in action. That, my dear, is the definition of a true action hero A single mom who lives out her truth with courage, strength and fierce faith, even in the face of fear. Now, that's something to marvel at. You're showing them that life doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful.
Speaker 1:And this weekend I had to flip that script with myself. You see, when I walked across that stage at my college graduation a bazillion years ago, I thought by this age I'd have it all figured out. Yeah, I would have traveled the world three times over, amassed a small fortune, married and living in a Pinterest worthy home. Instead, I returned to that campus this past weekend with a hole in my family, making a modest wage, renting a shoebox and single like a $1 bill. But here's the real glow up. My mess has become my message and the mundane. That's where the memories are made. It's in the everyday moments, the ones you know, that shape you and mold your kids. Those are far more valuable than any valuables I can't take with me when I'm gone. My true worth I have learned. It's what I leave behind for my son.
Speaker 1:And no price tag can touch that. Yeah, I was a single mom, but it wasn't the only thing about me, it wasn't the thing that stopped me from living with purpose. In fact, on the contrary, it was his purpose, my son's purpose, that became my purpose and that shaped me into who I am now, even after my baby bird left my home. That, my dear, is the blueprint your kids carry into adulthood. That's how you raise rock stars, not just survivors. That's how you leave a legacy that they can step into and build from. Proverbs 22, 6 says train up a child in the way they should go. But, sis, if you're not going anywhere, how will they know the way? The work you're doing right now, your healing, your growth, your faith walk. It's not selfish, it's strategy and it's the most powerful gift you could ever give your kids.
Speaker 1:So now that we've uncovered the truth that what you model, they multiply, let's talk about how to actually build those moments that matter, because it's not about having more time, it's about being more intentional with the time. You already have Moments that matter because time doesn't pause. You don't need a fancy vacation or a picture-perfect day to make moments matter. You just need some presents. Not presents, presents. It's those five minutes in the car where you ask what's the best part of your day? It's making pancakes for dinner. The car where you ask what's the best part of your day? It's making pancakes for dinner and letting them choose the toppings. It's listening, really listening, when they want to talk about Minecraft, middle school drama or why the moon looks weird tonight. These are the seeds that grow connection. And here's the thing, ladies we don't get to control how much time we have, but we do get to control how much meaning we pack into the moments we're given. Time it isn't a guarantee, it's a gift, and when you spend it on your kids with intention, not just perfection, you're investing in their emotional bank account. They may not remember everything you say, but they will remember how you made them feel. And, on the off chance that they happen to remember what you say, what message do you want them to have on repeat? So here's your gentle nudge Stop waiting for the right time to show up. Start showing up right now, even if it's messy, imperfect or unexpected. Psalms 90.12 says teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. And wisdom says don't waste what you can't get back. So today, create a moment, just one, a simple touch point that says I see you, I love moment, just one, a simple touch point that says I see you, I love you. I'm here this upcoming Mother's Day. Remind yourself I don't need perfect timing, just present time.
Speaker 1:Healing isn't just for you, it's for the whole house. Ladies, this one's big you ready for it? You see the work you're doing on yourself right now. Your healing, your forgiveness, your faith, walk isn't just changing your life, it's shifting the entire atmosphere of your home, because unhealed hurt it echoes, but healing it ripples your willingness to get real about your struggles, your strength to walk through the pain and your determination to rise. Anyway, that's generational impact in motion. And here's the wild part your kids don't need a perfect mom, they need a present one, and we've talked about this before. You need to see a mom who falls, gets back up, prays it through and shows up again.
Speaker 1:So let's shift this idea that healing is just something we do in private. Let your healing be the holy ground your kids walk on. Let your faith become the framework for how they process disappointment. Let your honesty become the invitation for them to talk about hard things. Maybe, just maybe healing looks like a family dinner again. Maybe it's a journal they write in next to you. Maybe it's reading one Bible verse together before bed. Whatever it is, healing becomes a homework assignment for the whole house. Can you say mic drop. Isaiah 61, 3 says beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair, of praise instead of a spirit of despair. God is doing a new thing in you, but, make no mistake, he's doing it through you too. Here's my mom moment for you. Remember when I heal, my whole house heals with me.
Speaker 1:So as I close, I want to remind you you're not just surviving the season. You are setting the stage for something stronger, deeper and way more meaningful. You are choosing peace over pettiness, building bridges with boundaries, building strength wrapped in grace, and healing a way that touches your whole household, two generations at a time. You're raising rock stars, not just kids who make it through, but young adults who carry the legacy of your faith, your resilience and your love. And mama, when they walk across that graduation stage one day, whether it's pre-K, high school or college, know this they won't just be carrying a diploma. They'll be carrying your prayers, your presence, your perseverance. They'll be walking in the shadow of your sacrifices and the strength of your example. They may not remember every detail, but they will remember how you showed up, how you kept it going, how you love them fiercely and faithfully. And that, my friend, is what raising rock stars looks like. So here's your final encouragement I want you to take this action step and write this phrase yes, you guessed it in your Thriving 25 journal, or say it out loud, even every day this week I'm not raising survivors, I'm raising rock stars, and healing starts with me.
Speaker 1:Let that be the rhythm of your week. I'm not raising survivors, I'm raising rock stars, and healing starts with me. Let that be the rhythm of your week. And hey, if this podcast stirred something in you, screenshot it and tag it at it's single mom thing on social and tell us your one biggest takeaway. Better yet, share it with another mama who needs this kind of encouragement in her earbuds. And before we go, I've got something special for you Total bonus moment right here. I want to leave you with a word of life straight from one of our IRCS high school students, one of the many who visited Shepherd's Village on their mission trip. Listen closely as they speak, scripture over your week reminding you that your life is still being written by the author who holds it all together.
Speaker 2:Hello, I'm Val and my verse is James 1.12. Blessed is the one who preserves under trial, because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. This verse means a lot to me because it reminds me that staying strong through hard times has a purpose and God sees my struggles. And it gives me hope that there's a reward for keeping my faith in him. And that verse has stuck with me for a very long time because I've gone through a lot of things at home and every time God has such a huge like I have this idea, like this dream, and when I finally get that dream and it becomes reality, it's like 10 times better than I even expected. So it just it always gets me excited because I know if I have a goal, it's going to be 10 times better when I reach it, because God has a completely different plan I can't even fathom thinking of right now or have any idea what it's like.
Speaker 1:That's your soul. Boost, mama, let it wash over you, let it lead you. You're not just doing the work, you're doing the legacy. Until next time, keep walking in purpose, keep parenting in power and never forget you were made to thrive, not just survive. Have a wonderful week and a magnificent Mother's Day. 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.
