Solo Parent Society

If you have a teen in your house, you know the struggle is real. If you don't, more than likely you will at some point. Dealing with teens and their complex lives and attitudes can be tricky. Matt Vairetta is a Nashville based youth leader that formed a parent advisory team and asked what the top issues parents were dealing with with their teen. Then he brought together experts in the different areas to speak to parents about their primary concerns. On this episodes Matt discusses the top three issues- 'social Media', 'anxiety / stress' and 'identity' and speaks to his primary 'take aways' from the seminars he held. His full length discussions and more topics can be found on his podcast called 'Navigating Adolescence'.

I know it sounds crazy, but if we are honest we sometimes have those moments when we wish we could have them back. Not because we miss the drama or toxicity or even the person, but more about the loss of a dream. Today we wrestle with the fleeting, some times lingering, thoughts of missing our ex. With host Robert Beeson.

Forget 'thinking positive' - this principle is far bigger, deeper and reliable than that and will shape what you experience in life. With host Robert Beeson.

It's hard enough when we feel hurt or betrayed, but when our kids are feeling the pain of loss and the confusion it can bring it's a whole other level of hurt. Watching those we care for going though something that they had no part of creating can feel overwhelming. How are we supposed to help them process though these adult feelings knowing that we are wounded too? Today, author and the creator of Divorce Care for Kids, Linda Jacobs shares insight on leading our kids through hurt.

22. SELF ESTEEM by Solo Parent Society

It's easy to feel stuck. Like our prayers aren't answered... maybe not even heard. As single parents it is so important to remember that there is a much bigger picture to what is going on. A view that we won't be able to see. Today our host Robert Beeson discusses what to do when God doesn't answer.

Lies create chaos! Anytime we face a loss or unplanned situation - divorce, death or unwed pregnancy people talk. A natural reaction is to try to correct or control the things being said about us. Lies are always on repeat in our minds, so how can we get control of the things being said about us ... or equally important - the lies we tell ourselves. Today, founder of ReRoute.net Leeann Courvoisier gives practical insights into dealing with lies.

We all have those moments of feeling the utter chaos of Solo Parenting. Juggling all that we have to do: the needs of our kids, the demands of our work, the pressures of solo parenting... it seems there are more issues and responsibilities than there is us. Today, the founder of ReRoute, Leeann Courvoisier shares her story and how she counsels other Solo Parents though the chaos of parenting alone. Find out more about Leeann's work with solo parents at ReRoute.net,

So often we feel overwhelmed... like we have nothing more to give... like we are at the end of our rope. Those are the times we need to be reminded that often the antidote is to 'just do it'. Today host Kimberley Mitchell discusses jumping back into life.

As our kids get older, disrespectful attitudes develop. Sometimes we wonder, who are you... what have you done with my little boy/girl? When we know how much we do for our kids, it's hard to not want to express that when we are faced with ungrateful or hostile words from them. Maybe there is more going on that what they are saying... Today we discuss how their words of disrespect may actually be compliments. With host Robert Beeson.

It's really hard to admit it, especially out loud, but at one point or another most of us Solo Parents have felt so low that we feel we just cant go on. Or we just don't want to go on. If we are honest, sometimes it sounds like it would be easier if we were just not here anymore. But, there is hope. Today, in a very courageous conversation, Joye Lynn discusses how she got to the place of actually pointing a loaded gun at herself and how she found the hope to not go through with ending her life. If you have ever been in the same place, know that there are people that care and want to help. Suicide is more devastating than what you are facing right now and there is hope - Please call for confidential support if you are in distress 1-800-273-8255 - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Here are the verses that literally saved Joye's life Isaiah 41: 10-14 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Deuteronomy 31: 8-9  8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Joshua 1:9 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Psalms 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,  for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow mall the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalms 9: 7-10 The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalms 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord…. 11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. 13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

It can be maddening when we hear things that are said about us that aren't true. Or sometimes a little true but completely exaggerated. What do we do with that? Try to defend ourselves and our reputations or maybe just start to isolate from others? Today we are discussing how to deal with accusations and the frustration that it brings, with host Robert Beeson.

5 minute REAL QUICK episodes for single parents. In a chaotic single parent life it is easy to forget the power of our words to our kids. Those words are shaping the kind of adult they are going to become. With host Robert Beeson.

When the bottom drops out and all the things that we use to hold on to as part of our identity fall away, it's easy to feel lost. We hold on so tightly to the things that we do (mother, wife, husband, executive, teacher) often we mix up those roles that we play with who we are and so when there is a change to any of those roles we go into an identity crisis. Today Paige Harley, a high conflict mediator, discusses how she personally started discovering her true identity and created steps to move towards it.

5 minute REAL QUICK episodes for single parents. Being deliberate in the difficult season we are in can be transformational. Some of the most precious moments can be in the midst of the darkest days. With host Kimberley Mitchell.