April 28, 2025 • 14 mins
Feeling like you and your kids are stuck in survival mode?
It’s time for a mindset (and motherhood) shift, Mama.
In today’s Power-Up Pep Talk, we’re flipping the script on survival and stepping into THRIVE mode—one intentional day, one connection, one celebration at a time.
You’ll learn:
✅ Four key ingredients to help your kids thrive emotionally, spiritually, and mentally
✅ How your healing journey sets the stage for whole family healing
✅ Practical, bite-sized ways to build connection, consistency, celebration, and speak life over your home
✅ Why thriving kids don’t need a perfect parent—they need a growing, steady one
Plus, hear a special bonus scripture encouragement from one of our amazing students at Indian Rocks Christian School—speaking truth and hope straight into your heart.
🎯 This week, it’s not about doing more. It’s about living more intentionally—and showing your kids what true thriving looks like.
🎧 Listen now and join the Thrive in ’25 movement!
📲 For more encouragement and connection, visit shepherdsvillage.com
#ItsASingleMomThing #ShepherdsVillage #ThriveIn25 #RaisingRockstars #SingleMomStrong #ParentingWithPurpose
It's a Single Mom Thing, Not the Single Thing That Stops You!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to it's a Single Mom Thing, the show for
single moms by single moms.
This is Sherri, your host, andI am happy you are here today.
Remember it's a single momthing and not the single thing
that stops you.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome back my rock star mamas.
So listen, today's talk is notabout barely surviving bedtime
routines, sports practices,school projects and grocery
lists oh no, today is aboutflipping that survival script on
its head.
Today we are talking about howto help your kids thrive, not
just survive, in a world that'sthrowing challenges at them
(00:39):
faster than you can say where'syour other shoe.
So here's a little spoileralert you don't have to be the
perfect mom.
You already are.
Yes, hot mess, express andstress and all you see.
You don't need a Pinterestperfect house, a six figure
income, a handy husband or evena fresh out of the dryer
(01:01):
attitude every day.
Oh no, what your kids simplyneed is you, the real, present,
purpose-driven you.
So today's pep talk is packedwith some power truths and
practical hacks you can put intoaction, starting right now when
we conclude our time together.
So you raid, rock this thing,girl, let's go.
(01:26):
So surviving isn't the goal,thriving is Now.
Let's be real as a single mom,survival mode well, it can feel
like an Olympic sport, as wehave discussed before in
previous podcasts, minus themedals and the awards ceremony
Get the kids to school, show upfor work, keep everybody fed,
(01:46):
maybe shower if you're lucky andon to the next event.
Survival mode it keeps youbreathing, oh, yes, it does.
But thriving mode, ooh, that'swhat helps you and your kids
build dreams.
To build dreams, you think,from the end result and not the
messy middle that only keeps you, my sister, the monkey, in the
(02:07):
middle.
So here's the truth bomb thatI'm going to drop on you today.
Your kids thrive when they feelseen, supported and secure,
even when life is messy.
Kind of like you, just inpint-sized bodies, and mama
don't miss this.
Like you, just in pint-sizedbodies, and mama don't miss this
.
The work you are doing onyourself, showing up for your
(02:28):
healing, setting boundaries,learning to thrive instead of
survive, it doesn't just changeyou, it changes the environment
your kids are growing up in.
It changes the direction oftheir footsteps as they walk out
in faith into their foreseeableand fulfilling future.
You see, when you choose toheal, when you choose to grow,
(02:52):
when you choose to thrive,you're not just breaking
generational patterns, you'rebuilding new generational
platforms.
Can I get an amen?
You see, rather than survivingas a human doing who lives on
default and default mode, youthrive as a human being who
(03:12):
lives out her destiny.
You know the one you werecalled to, the one that you are
being prepared for.
You see, whole family healingmy sweet sisters begins with you
and listen thriving.
It is contagious.
Your kids will want to catchthat, and you know what I love
your kids.
(03:33):
They get the front row seats towatch what real resilience and
real faith looks like, not froma sermon, but from your life.
It's not about having it allfigured out no, in fact, you
don't need to do that.
It's about being intentional,about building moments, memories
and mindsets.
It's about catching your breathand catching those negative
(03:57):
thoughts, taking them captiveand stepping into your position
of power.
Now, john 10.10 says it thisway I have come that they may
have life and have it to thefull.
Mama, your kids were made for afull life, not a barely getting
(04:18):
by life.
So check this you need toremind yourself, probably on the
daily, that you are not justraising kids.
You are raising future rockstars who know who they are and
whose they are.
That is a gift that gives forgenerations, my dear, and it is
a legacy gift, it is aninheritance.
(04:40):
So four keys we're going to goon to four key ingredients to
help kids thrive.
So all right, let's get a littlepractical here.
If you're wondering okay,sherry, what's the secret sauce?
How do I help them thrive?
Here are the four ingredientsyou need to sprinkle into your
(05:01):
daily mix.
Just a suggestion you mightwant to get your journal out for
this.
Number one connection overperfection.
Kids need connection way morethan they need a Pinterest
worthy birthday party.
You see, 10 minutes ofundivided attention beats two
(05:24):
hours of distracted half theirpresence.
That's just 10 minutes.
I know you got it.
Maybe if you slow your scroll.
So put the phone down, make eyecontact, I don't know.
Even ask a weird question howabout listen without
multitasking and maybe even tella joke or hear something new,
(05:47):
share something you learnedtoday, which kind of shows them
that you are still?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
growing too.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Here's a little example, a little starter
question maybe, that you couldask If you could create a new
holiday, what would it be?
What would you call it?
Or you could even try this one.
You know what I learned today?
I learned I don't always haveto have the answers, and that's
okay.
Number two celebrate the littlewins.
Stop saving the party hats forthe big milestones.
(06:16):
Instead, celebrate the smallvictories, like finishing
homework without a meltdown,remembering to say thank you.
That's fun, definitely Tryingsomething new without quitting.
Here's something else you coulddo Cheer them on like they just
won a Grammy award.
May I even suggest keeping someparty hats or confetti on
(06:37):
standby for random celebrations,because every little win waters
their confidence.
Three consistency is queen andyour little subjects well, they
need it.
Give them clear expectations,loving, reliable follow through,
predictability in anunpredictable world.
(07:00):
Let's get honest here for asecond.
How many of you are sendingyour kids off to the co-parent's
house every other weekend wherethe only predictable thing is
the unpredictability?
I lived it and while it mightseem like fun in the moment late
bedtimes misroutines it left myson tired, cranky and
(07:23):
emotionally wobbly when he camehome.
It took two days just torecenter him.
But over time my consistentschedule became his safe space.
He knew bedtime, he knewmealtime, he knew there was
stability waiting for him.
And guess what?
The tantrums decreased, theanxiety settled, the trust, well
(07:49):
, between us it deepened.
Consistency builds trust.
Trust builds thrivers.
Consistency gives them afoundation steady enough for
those little rock stars to danceon Number four, controlled
tongue.
Speak life and speak truth.
Sow seeds of truth deep intotheir fertile soil with your
(08:10):
words.
Sow seeds of truth deep intotheir fertile soil with your
words.
Speak words of worthiness,identity, calling, anointing
favor.
Speak life over their dreams,even the ones they're scared to
say out loud.
Speak God's promises louderthan the world's problems.
(08:33):
Your words shape their innerdialogue for years to come.
And, mama, don't just speakperfection, model humility,
model vulnerability.
Show them that being human isnot weakness, it's a strength
wrapped in some grace.
You see, when you mess upbecause you will say something
(08:55):
like I was wrong, I'm sorry andI'm learning too.
Because they don't need to seea perfect mom.
They need to see a faithful,growing, rooted woman who knows
she is and whose she is, is andwhose she is.
So here's the big truth hereEven when everything else feels
(09:16):
messy, your steady love.
It anchors them, much likeGod's steady love anchors you.
So here's a quick exercise, apower up your parenting practice
.
Now that you've got your fouringredients, let's stir them
into your real life, onespoonful at a time.
(09:37):
So, for starters, I want you topick one of the four areas
connection, celebration,consistency or controlled tongue
.
Write it big and bold across afresh page in your Thriving 25
journal and, each day this week,jot down one simple thing you
(09:59):
did to pour into that area.
For example, let's sayconnection you put down your
phone during dinner and askedyour son about his best moment
today.
Or, if you pick celebration,surprised your daughter with a
thank you for being awesomesticky note in her lunchbox.
How about consistency?
You stuck to your 8 pm bedtimeeven when you both were cranky.
(10:22):
Or a controlled tongue youprayed a blessing over your
child's morning before school.
The goal to see is how smalldaily deposits build thriving
kids and a thriving familyculture, because thriving isn't
built in a big dramatic moment.
(10:44):
It's built in the daily,ordinary faithfulness that feels
invisible but createsinvincible.
Your kids don't need perfect,they need present.
So here's your reminderbeautiful, your kids don't need
perfect, they need present.
So here's your reminderbeautiful.
Your kids don't need a perfectmom.
They need a present one, agrowing one, a praying one.
(11:07):
Let them see you try, let themsee you pray, let them see you
fail and fall down, even.
Let them see you get back upafter hard days, because
resilience isn't just somethingyou preach, it's something that
you teach and that they catch bywatching you live it.
(11:29):
Philippians 1.6 says he whobegan a good work in you will
carry it on to completion.
God is still working in you,mama, and he's still working in
them.
Reminder, you are raisingwarriors, not worriers.
That is so old school lunch.
Also, remember when you rise,they rise.
(11:52):
When you heal, they heal.
When you thrive, they learnit's possible to thrive too.
This isn't just your thrivejourney, listen.
No, it is theirs too, and youare building a new legacy One
healed heart, one strongboundary, one brave prayer at a
(12:13):
time.
So here's where we will closeour pep talk today.
All right, rock stars, you'realready doing better than you
think, so you need to giveyourself a little hand clap this
week.
Remember choose one thingwhether it's more connection,
more celebration, moreconsistency or more of a
controlled tongue and live itout loud.
(12:35):
Write it in your Thrive in 25journal.
Watch how your little rockstars begin to thrive, not just
survive, and remember when yourise they rise.
When you heal, they heal.
And when you thrive you showthem that thriving is their
birthright too.
Now, if this Power Up Pep Talkfired you up, sister, listen,
(12:56):
you need to make sure tosubscribe to.
It's a Single Mom Think podcaston Apple Podcasts, spotify or
iHeartRadio, so you don't miss amoment of this thrive journey.
And two, please be sure toshare this episode with another
rock star mama who's ready tohelp her kids build more than
life.
They're ready to help thembuild a legacy.
(13:17):
And now, before we closetoday's episode, I have a
special bonus for you One of ourincredible students from Indian
Rocks Christian School whowanted to encourage you with a
powerful word of God, to remindyou you're not raising kids
alone.
You are raising them under thecovering of his promises.
So take a deep breath andreceive this truth into your
(13:40):
spirit today.
Hi, my name is Aubrey.
My favorite verse is Jeremiah29 11.
For I know the plans I have foryou, declares the Lord Plans
for welfare and not for evil, togive you a future and a hope.
Have a wonderful week andremember it's a single mom thing
and not the single thing thatstops you.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Thanks for listening to.
It's a Single Mom Thing.
I hope you enjoyed our timetogether.
If you have more questions onhow to have a relationship with
Jesus or need prayer, visit usat wwwshepherdsvillagecom.
Backslash prayer.
For more information andresources, check out our show
notes.
Welcome to it's a Single Mom Thing, the show for
single moms by single moms.
This is Sherri, your host, andI am happy you are here today.
Remember it's a single momthing and not the single thing
that stops you.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome back my rock star mamas.
So listen, today's talk is notabout barely surviving bedtime
routines, sports practices,school projects and grocery
lists oh no, today is aboutflipping that survival script on
its head.
Today we are talking about howto help your kids thrive, not
just survive, in a world that'sthrowing challenges at them
(00:39):
faster than you can say where'syour other shoe.
So here's a little spoileralert you don't have to be the
perfect mom.
You already are.
Yes, hot mess, express andstress and all you see.
You don't need a Pinterestperfect house, a six figure
income, a handy husband or evena fresh out of the dryer
(01:01):
attitude every day.
Oh no, what your kids simplyneed is you, the real, present,
purpose-driven you.
So today's pep talk is packedwith some power truths and
practical hacks you can put intoaction, starting right now when
we conclude our time together.
So you raid, rock this thing,girl, let's go.
(01:26):
So surviving isn't the goal,thriving is Now.
Let's be real as a single mom,survival mode well, it can feel
like an Olympic sport, as wehave discussed before in
previous podcasts, minus themedals and the awards ceremony
Get the kids to school, show upfor work, keep everybody fed,
(01:46):
maybe shower if you're lucky andon to the next event.
Survival mode it keeps youbreathing, oh, yes, it does.
But thriving mode, ooh, that'swhat helps you and your kids
build dreams.
To build dreams, you think,from the end result and not the
messy middle that only keeps you, my sister, the monkey, in the
(02:07):
middle.
So here's the truth bomb thatI'm going to drop on you today.
Your kids thrive when they feelseen, supported and secure,
even when life is messy.
Kind of like you, just inpint-sized bodies, and mama
don't miss this.
Like you, just in pint-sizedbodies, and mama don't miss this
.
The work you are doing onyourself, showing up for your
(02:28):
healing, setting boundaries,learning to thrive instead of
survive, it doesn't just changeyou, it changes the environment
your kids are growing up in.
It changes the direction oftheir footsteps as they walk out
in faith into their foreseeableand fulfilling future.
You see, when you choose toheal, when you choose to grow,
(02:52):
when you choose to thrive,you're not just breaking
generational patterns, you'rebuilding new generational
platforms.
Can I get an amen?
You see, rather than survivingas a human doing who lives on
default and default mode, youthrive as a human being who
(03:12):
lives out her destiny.
You know the one you werecalled to, the one that you are
being prepared for.
You see, whole family healingmy sweet sisters begins with you
and listen thriving.
It is contagious.
Your kids will want to catchthat, and you know what I love
your kids.
(03:33):
They get the front row seats towatch what real resilience and
real faith looks like, not froma sermon, but from your life.
It's not about having it allfigured out no, in fact, you
don't need to do that.
It's about being intentional,about building moments, memories
and mindsets.
It's about catching your breathand catching those negative
(03:57):
thoughts, taking them captiveand stepping into your position
of power.
Now, john 10.10 says it thisway I have come that they may
have life and have it to thefull.
Mama, your kids were made for afull life, not a barely getting
(04:18):
by life.
So check this you need toremind yourself, probably on the
daily, that you are not justraising kids.
You are raising future rockstars who know who they are and
whose they are.
That is a gift that gives forgenerations, my dear, and it is
a legacy gift, it is aninheritance.
(04:40):
So four keys we're going to goon to four key ingredients to
help kids thrive.
So all right, let's get a littlepractical here.
If you're wondering okay,sherry, what's the secret sauce?
How do I help them thrive?
Here are the four ingredientsyou need to sprinkle into your
(05:01):
daily mix.
Just a suggestion you mightwant to get your journal out for
this.
Number one connection overperfection.
Kids need connection way morethan they need a Pinterest
worthy birthday party.
You see, 10 minutes ofundivided attention beats two
(05:24):
hours of distracted half theirpresence.
That's just 10 minutes.
I know you got it.
Maybe if you slow your scroll.
So put the phone down, make eyecontact, I don't know.
Even ask a weird question howabout listen without
multitasking and maybe even tella joke or hear something new,
(05:47):
share something you learnedtoday, which kind of shows them
that you are still?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
growing too.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Here's a little example, a little starter
question maybe, that you couldask If you could create a new
holiday, what would it be?
What would you call it?
Or you could even try this one.
You know what I learned today?
I learned I don't always haveto have the answers, and that's
okay.
Number two celebrate the littlewins.
Stop saving the party hats forthe big milestones.
(06:16):
Instead, celebrate the smallvictories, like finishing
homework without a meltdown,remembering to say thank you.
That's fun, definitely Tryingsomething new without quitting.
Here's something else you coulddo Cheer them on like they just
won a Grammy award.
May I even suggest keeping someparty hats or confetti on
(06:37):
standby for random celebrations,because every little win waters
their confidence.
Three consistency is queen andyour little subjects well, they
need it.
Give them clear expectations,loving, reliable follow through,
predictability in anunpredictable world.
(07:00):
Let's get honest here for asecond.
How many of you are sendingyour kids off to the co-parent's
house every other weekend wherethe only predictable thing is
the unpredictability?
I lived it and while it mightseem like fun in the moment late
bedtimes misroutines it left myson tired, cranky and
(07:23):
emotionally wobbly when he camehome.
It took two days just torecenter him.
But over time my consistentschedule became his safe space.
He knew bedtime, he knewmealtime, he knew there was
stability waiting for him.
And guess what?
The tantrums decreased, theanxiety settled, the trust, well
(07:49):
, between us it deepened.
Consistency builds trust.
Trust builds thrivers.
Consistency gives them afoundation steady enough for
those little rock stars to danceon Number four, controlled
tongue.
Speak life and speak truth.
Sow seeds of truth deep intotheir fertile soil with your
(08:10):
words.
Sow seeds of truth deep intotheir fertile soil with your
words.
Speak words of worthiness,identity, calling, anointing
favor.
Speak life over their dreams,even the ones they're scared to
say out loud.
Speak God's promises louderthan the world's problems.
(08:33):
Your words shape their innerdialogue for years to come.
And, mama, don't just speakperfection, model humility,
model vulnerability.
Show them that being human isnot weakness, it's a strength
wrapped in some grace.
You see, when you mess upbecause you will say something
(08:55):
like I was wrong, I'm sorry andI'm learning too.
Because they don't need to seea perfect mom.
They need to see a faithful,growing, rooted woman who knows
she is and whose she is, is andwhose she is.
So here's the big truth hereEven when everything else feels
(09:16):
messy, your steady love.
It anchors them, much likeGod's steady love anchors you.
So here's a quick exercise, apower up your parenting practice
.
Now that you've got your fouringredients, let's stir them
into your real life, onespoonful at a time.
(09:37):
So, for starters, I want you topick one of the four areas
connection, celebration,consistency or controlled tongue
.
Write it big and bold across afresh page in your Thriving 25
journal and, each day this week,jot down one simple thing you
(09:59):
did to pour into that area.
For example, let's sayconnection you put down your
phone during dinner and askedyour son about his best moment
today.
Or, if you pick celebration,surprised your daughter with a
thank you for being awesomesticky note in her lunchbox.
How about consistency?
You stuck to your 8 pm bedtimeeven when you both were cranky.
(10:22):
Or a controlled tongue youprayed a blessing over your
child's morning before school.
The goal to see is how smalldaily deposits build thriving
kids and a thriving familyculture, because thriving isn't
built in a big dramatic moment.
(10:44):
It's built in the daily,ordinary faithfulness that feels
invisible but createsinvincible.
Your kids don't need perfect,they need present.
So here's your reminderbeautiful, your kids don't need
perfect, they need present.
So here's your reminderbeautiful.
Your kids don't need a perfectmom.
They need a present one, agrowing one, a praying one.
(11:07):
Let them see you try, let themsee you pray, let them see you
fail and fall down, even.
Let them see you get back upafter hard days, because
resilience isn't just somethingyou preach, it's something that
you teach and that they catch bywatching you live it.
(11:29):
Philippians 1.6 says he whobegan a good work in you will
carry it on to completion.
God is still working in you,mama, and he's still working in
them.
Reminder, you are raisingwarriors, not worriers.
That is so old school lunch.
Also, remember when you rise,they rise.
(11:52):
When you heal, they heal.
When you thrive, they learnit's possible to thrive too.
This isn't just your thrivejourney, listen.
No, it is theirs too, and youare building a new legacy One
healed heart, one strongboundary, one brave prayer at a
(12:13):
time.
So here's where we will closeour pep talk today.
All right, rock stars, you'realready doing better than you
think, so you need to giveyourself a little hand clap this
week.
Remember choose one thingwhether it's more connection,
more celebration, moreconsistency or more of a
controlled tongue and live itout loud.
(12:35):
Write it in your Thrive in 25journal.
Watch how your little rockstars begin to thrive, not just
survive, and remember when yourise they rise.
When you heal, they heal.
And when you thrive you showthem that thriving is their
birthright too.
Now, if this Power Up Pep Talkfired you up, sister, listen,
(12:56):
you need to make sure tosubscribe to.
It's a Single Mom Think podcaston Apple Podcasts, spotify or
iHeartRadio, so you don't miss amoment of this thrive journey.
And two, please be sure toshare this episode with another
rock star mama who's ready tohelp her kids build more than
life.
They're ready to help thembuild a legacy.
(13:17):
And now, before we closetoday's episode, I have a
special bonus for you One of ourincredible students from Indian
Rocks Christian School whowanted to encourage you with a
powerful word of God, to remindyou you're not raising kids
alone.
You are raising them under thecovering of his promises.
So take a deep breath andreceive this truth into your
(13:40):
spirit today.
Hi, my name is Aubrey.
My favorite verse is Jeremiah29 11.
For I know the plans I have foryou, declares the Lord Plans
for welfare and not for evil, togive you a future and a hope.
Have a wonderful week andremember it's a single mom thing
and not the single thing thatstops you.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Thanks for listening to.
It's a Single Mom Thing.
I hope you enjoyed our timetogether.
If you have more questions onhow to have a relationship with
Jesus or need prayer, visit usat wwwshepherdsvillagecom.
Backslash prayer.
For more information andresources, check out our show
notes.
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