Mom2Mentor

Send us a text We need to be proactive about teaching our children important character traits and family heritage instead of constantly correcting behavior after the fact. Understanding where we come from helps our children uncover their identity, drives purpose, and provides answers to behaviors they'll encounter throughout life. • Teaching children about their heritage helps explain behaviors passed down through generations • Schools teach history, but parents must teach family heritage and dynamics • Heritage gives context for certain tendencies and behaviors your children display • Understanding inherited traits helps you address challenges more effectively • Try to maintain relationships with both sides of the family for the children's benefit • Attend family reunions and connect children with extended family when possible • Collaborate with siblings who may face similar parenting challenges If you enjoyed today's episode, tell another single mom. Come back next week when I'll be talking about disappointment, how to address it, and how to teach children about this inevitable life experience. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text The Mom2Mentor podcast explores gratitude as an essential character seed to plant in our children's lives. Practicing thankfulness is a fundamental skill that parents must teach at home, not expect schools to cover. • Recent appearance on the Tell Me Something Good podcast with Travis Patton Sr • Gratitude means acknowledging the blessings in our lives, from food to health to safety • Children should learn to say "thank you" without constant reminders • Parents must model gratitude by showing appreciation in front of their children • Create a daily practice of sharing what you're thankful for with your children • Teaching gratitude proactively reduces the need for correcting behavior later • Being intentional about character development is a parent's responsibility Go to singlemomsunitedpodcast.com to take my survey about this episode and suggest future topics. You can also find all episodes on my YouTube channel at Mom2Mentor. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text We explore the importance of planting patience as a character trait in our children through both teaching and modeling this crucial skill. As mentors to our children, we must recognize they learn more from watching our behavior than from our verbal corrections, making our own patience practice essential for their development. • Children observe and mimic our behaviors, including impatience and hasty decision-making • Patience is the capacity to accept delays without becoming annoyed or anxious • The "microwave mentality" often leads to poor decisions and regret • Practice listing wants/needs with timeframes to identify patience challenges • Consider whether immediate desires (like relationships or job changes) are truly beneficial • Learning to accept "blocks" as blessings can prevent repeated mistakes • Taking 24 hours before making important decisions helps cultivate patience • Parents must actively teach life skills, not just correct behaviors Tell another single mom about this podcast to help spread the message of intentional parenting and mentoring. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text We're planting character seeds in our children, and today's focus is on creativity and problem-solving skills that will help them navigate life's inevitable challenges. • Children need creative problem-solving skills to handle obstacles in relationships, careers, and life • Creativity is about thinking outside the box when resolving issues • What works for one person may not work for another—great minds think for themselves • For ages 3-6, offer coloring books or sketch pads to foster creative thinking • For older children, present more complex problems to solve • The utensil-between-stove-and-cabinet example shows how we approach challenges • Giving up on small problems teaches children to abandon larger challenges • Creative thinking helps identify not just solutions but also root causes of problems • Make creativity exercises a regular family activity to build critical thinking skills • As mentors to our children, we must model creative problem-solving ourselves Our call to action today is to assign a creativity project based on your child's age. Make it a family event and do it regularly—once a week or once a month—to plant the seed of creative thinking that will serve them throughout their lives. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Today we continue our series on planting a character garden in our children by exploring compassion – a fundamental trait that helps children function successfully in society and builds their characteristic DNA. • Compassion is another word for love – specifically love for fellow humans who are experiencing distress • Real-life examples demonstrate how small acts of compassion can make significant differences in others' lives • Children need to see parents modeling compassionate behavior to understand its importance • Volunteer opportunities like soup kitchens provide powerful visual learning experiences for children • Teaching compassion helps children understand that they may someday need others to show them compassion • Simple acts like offering help in grocery stores can teach powerful lessons without requiring complex planning • Children naturally replicate behaviors they consistently observe in their parents If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave feedback at the Mom2Mentor podcast, visit singlemomsunitedpodcast.com, or check our YouTube channel. Remember, you're more than just a nurturer and provider – you are a mentor. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Respect is a crucial character trait for fostering positive relationships, creating harmonious environments, and promoting individual well-being by acknowledging others' inherent worth and dignity. We explore the vital importance of teaching respect to children through direction rather than correction to build their self-esteem and develop healthy relationship skills. • Respect creates stronger connections and improves communication in all relationships • Teaching respect helps children navigate disagreements without disrespecting others • Individual respect builds self-esteem, confidence, and promotes emotional well-being • Respectful interactions in relationships reduce conflict through understanding and compromise • The difference between teaching (direction) versus correcting behavior without explanation • Understanding that fear-based compliance is not the same as genuine respect • Children model their behavior after their parents, making mentorship crucial If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave feedback and let me know if there's a specific character seed you'd like me to discuss in the future. Share this episode with another mom who might need support teaching their children about respect. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Today I share my first original poem written specifically for the Mom2Mentor podcast, exploring how mothers can transition from simply meeting their children's needs to actively mentoring and shaping their character development. • Poetry focusing on the importance of "planting character seeds" like honesty, trust, and respect in our children • Taking ownership of our children's character development rather than leaving it solely to educational institutions • Embracing our role as our children's lifelong resource and teacher • Understanding that our children represent us in the world, reflecting our values and teachings • Looking ahead to next week's episode about planting the "respect seed" in our children I'm looking for guests to share how they're mentoring their children through behavior, verbal acknowledgment, or creative teaching methods. Visit singlemomsunitedpodcast.com to connect and share feedback on this poem. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text As parents, we often find ourselves constantly correcting our children instead of teaching them important character traits. Being a single mom means juggling multiple roles, but perhaps our most important role is that of a mentor who plants and cultivates character seeds in our children. • Character seeds like apologizing, confidence, and honesty are best taught through both instruction and example • Children learn more from what they see us do than from what we tell them to do • Confidence equals strength - knowing who you are and standing by your decisions • Confidence differs from arrogance, which implies superiority over others • Honesty equals respect - when you're honest, you earn people's trust • Once respect is lost through dishonesty, it's extremely difficult to regain • Teaching children to tell the truth even when they've made mistakes builds character • Parents should model honest behavior in their own interactions • Everyone should learn to express truth respectfully, not rudely • You are your child's first mentor - make sure they see you demonstrating the character traits you want them to develop Plant the seed of honesty that leads to respect and continue to cultivate that by allowing your children to see you display that behavior. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text We're continuing our series on planting character seeds in our children, focusing this week on building confidence both in our kids and ourselves. As a single mom who struggled with confidence issues growing up, I share insights on how modeling confident behavior impacts our children more than what we tell them. • Children learn more from watching our behavior than from hearing our instructions • Confidence gives children strength to navigate life's disappointments without breaking down • People with predatory intentions often target those who display weakness or low self-esteem • Teaching kids to embrace their uniqueness helps build confidence against criticism • Confident people may break down emotionally, but they don't stay there • Our children are looking to us as their primary mentors, even as they get older Visit singlemomsunitedpodcast.com if you're interested in sharing your story about overcoming parenting challenges on the Mom2Mentor podcast. Challenge yourself to put down your phone for at least an hour each day and limit social media time to connect with your children instead. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text We're introducing the Mom2Mentor podcast with a new format, focusing on planting seeds of character in our children through intentional parenting and mentorship. This episode explores teaching children the art of apologizing properly—beyond just saying "I'm sorry" to include acknowledging specific behaviors. • Transition from Single Moms United to Mom2Mentor reflects focus on mothers as mentors • Children model what they see, making our behavior fundamental to their development • "Planting a virtual garden" means cultivating character traits intentionally • Start teaching basic apologies around ages 3-5 with simple "I'm sorry" • By ages 7-8, teach children to add what they're sorry for after "I'm sorry," • Acknowledging specific behavior prevents repeating the same mistakes • Many adults struggle with apologies because they weren't properly taught as children • Break generational patterns by modeling proper apologies • Positive reinforcement helps cultivate this character trait • Even if you weren't taught something, seek resources to teach your children Put down your phone for one hour and talk with your children about what apologizing really means, and if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with another mom who's trying to be the best parent she can be. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Mom2Mentor podcast explores the vital role of parents as teachers and mentors, focusing on educating children about physical and mental illnesses. We challenge the excuse of "nobody taught me" by highlighting the abundance of free resources available for parents to learn and then teach their children about important life topics. • Parents should educate children about both physical illnesses (colds, allergies, fevers) and mental health conditions (depression, bipolar disorder) • Children need to understand body changes, especially girls entering puberty and experiencing menstrual cycles • Depression can affect children as young as eight years old, often stemming from negative environments • Technology and free resources like YouTube make it easier than ever for parents to learn new skills to teach their children • Parents don't need formal degrees to be effective educators—personal experience provides valuable teaching material • Understanding mental illness helps children interact compassionately with others who may be struggling Tell another single mom about the Mom2Mentor podcast to help us educate, motivate, and encourage all young single moms. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Summer break disrupts the consistency of knowing where your kids are each day, presenting unique challenges for single moms who work full-time. We explore practical solutions for keeping children of all ages engaged, learning, and properly supervised during school vacation months. • Children over 10 can typically stay home alone with strict rules and responsibilities • Implementing chore charts teaches valuable life skills like cleaning and laundry • Considering small allowances based on age as incentives for completed chores • Encouraging older children to volunteer at churches or community organizations • Utilizing teens' technology skills to help with media ministries or similar programs • Teaching cooking skills by encouraging children to watch cooking shows • Helping teens 14+ find part-time summer jobs at restaurants or amusement parks • Opening bank accounts for working teens to teach financial literacy • Reinforcing academic subjects younger children struggled with during the school year • Exploring affordable childcare options like relatives or summer camps • Starting simple gardening projects to engage younger children Please share this episode with another single mom who might benefit from these summer strategies. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Getting back to basics involves reconnecting with fundamental practices like gardening, crafting, and prioritizing health that shaped previous generations and can still enrich our lives as single mothers today. These simple yet powerful approaches help us ground ourselves and teach our children valuable life skills that foster independence and character. • Growing your own vegetables in containers is affordable, educational, and connects children to food sources • Making handmade gifts and cards creates more meaningful, lasting memories than store-bought items • Having actual phone conversations provides emotional connection that texting can't replicate • Prioritizing your own health needs alongside your children's is essential for sustainable parenting • Returning to in-person church attendance offers spiritual guidance and teaches children proper conduct • Teaching children manners and respect gives them essential tools for navigating life successfully • Embracing your single mom status with confidence allows you to focus on productive parenting Visit singlemomsunitedpodcast.com to leave comments on the blog and join our community. Remember, it's not how you arrived at the title of single mom, but what you do with it that matters. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text We explore the meaningful distinction between being a "mother" who provides basic necessities and being a "mom" who sacrifices, teaches, and prepares children for long-term success in life. • A mother provides basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing • A mom goes beyond basics by teaching life skills and preparing children for independence • Protecting children from adult situations while still teaching responsibility • Teaching household skills like laundry and cleaning from ages 8-10 • The power of telling your child "I'm proud of you" regularly • Teaching children financial literacy and money management • Being proactive about your child's education and homework completion • Finding balance between authority and open communication Visit singlemomunitedpodcast.com to share your feedback about these episodes and let me know if you find them encouraging and helpful. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Two veteran single moms share their journeys from struggles to success, offering wisdom on parenting, finances, education, and emotional growth. • Moving from survival mode to teaching and mentoring your children • Navigating financial challenges as a single parent without shame • The importance of showing emotions to your children rather than hiding your struggles • How to pursue education as an older parent while balancing family responsibilities • Learning that children often need your presence and affirmation more than material things • Being willing to apologize to your children when you make mistakes • Finding community resources and support systems during difficult seasons • Teaching children about life's realities including finances, relationships, and health • The perspective shift from "me" to "we" that happens when you become a parent • Understanding that "a good mom teaches" - perfection isn't required If you'd like to be a guest on the podcast to share your single mom journey (no daddy-bashing, just positive stories of overcoming parenting challenges), visit SingleMomsUnitedPodcast.com and complete the guest form. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text The podcast is undergoing a name change from "Single Moms United" to "Mom to Mentor," better reflecting the message that mothers are more than just providers—they are examples their children model themselves after. This rebranding emphasizes the mentorship role mothers naturally play in their children's lives and the responsibility that comes with being observed and emulated. • Good moms teach their children through both verbal instruction and observable behaviors • Better moms commit to continuous learning so they can pass new knowledge to their children • Children absorb everything they see, shaping their future behaviors and parenting approaches • The podcast will now feature guest interviews sharing both challenges and success stories • Single motherhood should not be defined by negative stereotypes but by the positive impact on children • Education of children shouldn't be fully outsourced to schools but prioritized by parents • The multi-generational impact of good parenting creates a positive cycle for future generations What are you going to teach your child this week and what are you going to learn this week? https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Today I explore interviewing skills for single moms seeking employment, focusing on aligning job choices with personality types and mastering the interview process. • Match job descriptions to your personality type - introverts prefer independent work while extroverts thrive in people-centered roles • Research potential employers thoroughly before interviewing to demonstrate genuine interest • Present professionally with conservative attire and minimal distractions during interviews • Respond to interview questions concisely and put a positive spin on challenges or weaknesses • Ask strategic questions about work-life balance, day-to-day responsibilities, and growth opportunities • Include specific numbers and measurable results when discussing past accomplishments • Be honest about your capabilities while expressing willingness to learn new skills • Working provides financial independence and serves as a positive example for your children I encourage you to spend at least one hour with your child without phone distractions this week. Children need your presence and attention in this challenging world, and the connection benefits you both. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text Parenting inevitably involves handling unexpected interruptions and distractions, from financial emergencies to childhood illnesses. Being prepared with both financial strategies and practical supplies can transform these challenging moments from stressful crises into manageable situations. • Save tax refunds and windfalls in high-yield savings accounts for emergencies • Consider thrift shops and consignment stores for children's clothing • Don't be ashamed to accept hand-me-downs from friends or family • Keep essential medical supplies on hand (Tylenol, Neosporin, cough syrup, thermometer) • Remember that preparing for interruptions reduces stress when they occur • Focus on being a good parent who teaches, not a perfect parent • Always be learning alongside your children • Set aside time without phone distractions to connect with your child Put that phone down for one hour and spend quality time with your child. Write down one thing you want to be better at as a parent and commit to making that improvement. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text This episode dives into the importance of assigning age-appropriate chores to children, emphasizing that responsibilities at home teach valuable life skills. I discuss how chores not only ease the burden on parents but also foster a sense of accountability and independence in kids. • Importance of teaching chores early • Age-specific responsibilities explained • Benefits of helping children take on tasks • Critical thinking and adapting strategies for your family • Preparing kids for independence through chores • Reflecting on parenting and setting expectations https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.

Send us a text This episode explores effective strategies for raising resilient children amid the challenges of parenting alone. I focus on essential themes that foster strength, independence, and emotional health in kids. • Understanding the importance of facing and managing disappointment • Encouraging children to participate in physical activities • Fostering independence through age-appropriate responsibilities • Celebrating achievements to boost self-confidence • Establishing open communication with children • Teaching empathy and respect for others Join me every week for more insights tailored for single mothers navigating the journey of parenting. Visit my website singlemomsunitedpodcast.com and be part of this community. https://singlemomsunitedpodcast.com/ It's not how you arrived at the title, but what you do with it.