Single Mom Smiling | Mindset Strategies for Single Moms

49 - The Single Parent's Role in the Parable of the Prodigal Son - Gospel Reflection - Luke 15, March 30, 2025

The story of the prodigal son is one many Catholics are familiar with and one many of us can identify with too.
Single parents left with all the responsibility and burden can easily slide into the mindset of the older son. Resentment can creep up when finances are decimated, little ones need care, and you are exhausted and run down and isolated. This is when it is most important for you to choose love, not as the sons did, but as the father, the often overlooked third character in the parable does.
If you would like help learning to love in all circumstances, in learning to be vulnerable but not a doormat, in learning to laugh with your kids and enjoy moments of getting to watch them alone so much of the time, I would love to hear from you!
Email me for coaching, to ask a question I can answer on air (anonymously is fine!), or to share your story - I don't share on air without your permission of course!  :)
And I really appreciate your sharing this episode and leaving a 5 STAR review! That helps us get the word out to others too. 
God Bless...
Kerri
 
In This Episode:
Sunday's readings can be found here.
My writings on the Prodigal Son:
Abandonment, Divorce, & Your Role as the Prodigal Son
Abandonment, Divorce, & Your Role as the Good Son in the Prodigal Son
Abandonment, Divorce, & Your Role as the Parent in the Prodigal Son
I am the Lost Sheep, the Gold Coin, & the Prodigal Son, and I am Called to Love Better!
Email me with questions about spiritual battles in Marriage and family. Share your stories and concerns or let me know someone I should interview about this topic at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
Coach with Kerri by contacting me here.
 

48 - Understanding Why You Sacrifice in Lent and in Life

Setting goals is easy. Staying the course is difficult.
The devil loves to distract you and pull you away from God and your goals. Connecting with your why can help you stay the course whether you struggle in Lent or in life!
In this episode, you will dive into connecting with the reason you choose to sacrifice in Lent - and in life and learn three action steps you can take to learn the "why" behind choosing to suffer.
Of course, if I can help you discover your why or peacefully bear your burdens, send me an email or connect with me on social media. I would love to work with you!
God Bless...
Kerri
In This Episode:
Email me with questions about spiritual battles in Marriage and family. Share your stories and concerns or let me know someone I should interview about this topic at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
Coach with Kerri by contacting me here.
 

47 - Protecting Your Home and Family with Saint Joseph as Head of Your Household

Catholics celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19th. 
In this world that seriously lacks real MEN, Saint Joseph provides us an incredible example of what a mere mortal man can strive to become.
If you want to raise strong boys or show your girls who they should look for in dating relationships, if you need to know who to look for in dating relationships, or if you are stuck in a loveless Marriage and not sure how to pray for your husband, Saint Joseph is the silent, strong, capable, follower of our Lord ready to help when called upon.
Why not embrace the man God chose to raise Jesus, be lord of his household, and prince over all his possessions by making Saint Joseph the head of your household too? 
You will be so glad you did - and Jesus will be too! :)
God Bless...
Kerri
In This Episode:
Father Donald Calloway's book and website, Consecration to Saint Joseph can be found here.
A talk on the Consecration to Saint Joseph by Father Calloway.
Email me for coaching or speaking at your event, or with questions about spiritual battles in Marriage, family, and single parenting. Share your stories and concerns or let me know someone I should interview about this topic at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com

46 - 5 Minute Tip to Accomplish SMART Lent Goals

Join me to discover one thing you can do to help you clearly determine whether you achieved your Lenten sacrifice each day.
As I prepared for bed last Ash Wednesday, I realized I could not clearly state whether I had sacrificed as I intended or not that day. One day into Lent, and I already felt like I may have missed the mark on my Lenten obligation.
I cringed realizing, as a life coach, I know what I have to do to state my goals, but when it comes to faith, I sometimes fail to clearly define what it is I will do to grow my faith. 
What about you?
We are one week into Lent. How well are you accomplishing what you set out to achieve?
Are you sacrificing as powerfully as you intended? Did you define your intentions before embarking on your Lenten journey or did you just pick a sacrifice and hope for good enough?
Maybe, if you're like me, you dove right in without considering metrics to help you know whether you are meeting that goal or not.
In today's episode, I talk about one thing you can do in as little as five minutes to get you on track this Lent and some of the benefits of setting strong goals.
If you like this episode, please leave a 5 star written review and share it on social media. Thank you! :)
God Bless...
Kerri
In This Episode:
Email me for coaching, speaking at your event, or with questions about spiritual battles in Marriage and family. Share your stories and concerns or let me know someone I should interview about this topic at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
Positive Psychology article.

45 - Don't Settle for a Mediocre Sacrifice! Choose to Have a GREAT Lent this Ash Wednesday.

Are you tempted to take the easy way out this Lent?
While little things are good and do add up exponentially over time, they can also be an excuse for not doing the hard thing God calls us to.
Whether it's because you have heard other Catholics tell you little things are "good enough" or because you suffer from a fear of failure or struggle with perfectionism, not striving for the best you might be able to do, could be holding you back spiritually and in other ways as well!
Don't let those demons trick you into settling for anything less than the hardest thing God calls you to!
You cannot have a great life with mediocre sacrifice. Choose to make your great life start with a GREAT Lent this Ash Wednesday!
God Bless...
Kerri
Next Steps:
Email me with questions about spiritual battles and your struggles in Marriage, family, and even single parenting. Share your stories and concerns or let me know someone I should interview about this topic at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
Coach with Kerri by contacting me here.

44 - Who is Your Enemy & How Should You Fight Him?

It's hard to identify who the enemy is in our conflicts.
It gets exponentially more difficult when you are under stress or feeling emotional, which happens so often in our most important, most intimate relationships. This all makes it much more difficult to know how to fight your battles and win over, or defeat, your enemies.
In today's episode, we look at what Ephesians says about who our enemy really is and then what Sunday's readings tell us about how to fight those who hurt us.
It's not an easy command, but it is a good one!
God Bless...
Kerri
In This Episode:
Sunday's readings can be found here.
Ephesians 6 can be found here.
Email me with questions about spiritual battles in Marriage and family. Share your stories and concerns or let me know someone I should interview about this topic at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
Coach with Kerri by contacting me here.
 

43 - Spiritual Warfare the Battle for Marriage & Family, a New Direction for Single Mom Smiling

The issues single moms face are far bigger than we can handle with out own abilities. Single moms and hurting children deserve more than lessons on mindset and motivation alone.
It's time we realize we are in a spiritual battle and the evil forces we face are not of flesh and blood!
Join me in today's episode as we transition Single Mom Smiling from a straight up single mom podcast to one addressing attacks on Marriage and family.
Learn with me! Tell me what you think of this new direction and share your experiences, questions, and knowledge about spiritual warfare and attacks by the evil one on the family. 
And please pray for me. I will be praying for you! 
God Bless...
Kerri
 
In This Episode:
Bible Readings - Sunday, February 16, 2025 
Email Kerri to sign up for the Grit, Grace, & Growth Challenge's pioneer launch. This 40 day program is designed for remarkable women who want to get in shape - mind, soul, heart, and strength.  Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
 
Next Steps:
1. Email me with questions, thoughts, and experiences about spiritual warfare and how it affects Marriage and family at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
 
2. 10 Questions Every Woman Should Ask - Click for your FREE eBook
 
 
3. Coach with Kerri - Check out your best coaching plan here.
 
4. Join Catholic Single Moms' Private Facebook Group.
 

42 - Loved Beyond Measure: Celebrating Love on Valentine's Day for Single Moms

The world tells you one thing about what love looks like, but what happens when that so-called love falls apart? What happens when your self-worth is so wrapped up in the modern idea of "love" that you lose yourself when you lose your lover?
In today's episode, realize love is not your God, but your God is Love.
Then, learn what it means to be Loved beyond measure whether you are never Married, divorce, annulled, widowed, or just feeling so terribly alone in this season. Learn how you can celebrate Love on Valentine's Day as a Single Mom.
God Bless...
Kerri
In This Episode:
Single Mom Smiling - Courses
Loved Beyond Measure: a 5 Day Journey to Seeing Yourself & Love through God's Eyes - launching Valentine's Day 2025!
Email Kerri to sign up for Fiercely Beloved: the Grit, Grace, & Growth Challenge's pioneer launch. This 40 day program is designed for remarkable women who want to get in shape - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.  Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
Next Steps:
1. Fiercely Beloved: the Grit, Grace, & Growth Challenge - launches in January. Email me now to sign up for a VERY low price!
 
2. Join The Smiling Cadre a brand new private facebook group dedicated to rising to our challenges through gratitude, laughter, and a fantastically awesome community!
 
3. 10 Questions Every Woman Should Ask - Click for your FREE eBook
 
4. Coach with Kerri - Check out your best coaching plan here.
 
5. Email me at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
 
6. Join Catholic Single Moms' Private Facebook Group.
 

41 - What You Can Do to Help a Single Mom, Especially One Left Pregnant & Alone

Finding out you are pregnant and unsupported by your unborn child's father is beyond terrifying. This is true whether you are a teen who doesn't know who to tell or an older woman whose life suddenly crashed and burned.
So many people say they want to help but assume the government or churches or "somebody" else is going to fill the gap. Still others just don't know what to do to help.
In this episode, I begin to answer the question of what single moms, especially moms who have been left pregnant and alone, need most from those around them. I even include lessons from Dan Quinn (Green Beret) as was taught us in Jason Van Camp's (also a Green Beret) Deliberate Discomfort Challenge training.
Don't forget, the best thing you can provide for a single mom is presence. Be there for her, love her, and let her know she can count on you. 
God Bless...
Kerri
 
In This Episode:
Single Mom Smiling - Courses 
Jason VanCamp's Deliberate Discomfort Challenge
Next Steps:
1. Fiercely Beloved: the Grit, Grace, & Growth Challenge - Email me now to sign up for a VERY low price!
 
2. Join The Smiling Cadre a brand new private facebook group dedicated to rising to our challenges through gratitude, laughter, and a fantastically awesome community!
 
3. 10 Questions Every Woman Should Ask - Click for your FREE eBook
 
4. Coach with Kerri - Check out your best coaching plan here.
 
5. Email me at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
 
6. Join Catholic Single Moms' Private Facebook Group.
 
 

40 - Single Moms Whose Boyfriends Left Them Pregnant & Alone Respond to 3 Questions

What do single moms who were abandoned while pregnant say about their experiences? I recently asked single moms whose boyfriends got them pregnant and then left them three questions. They gave me permission to share their responses in today's episode.
If you find yourself pregnant and abandoned, please reach out. As these women's words portray, there is such joy in in the unexpected!
And always, know you are stronger than you know and more courageous than others give you credit for. Know there is help. You are not alone. You are LOVED!
God Bless...
Kerri
 
 
In This Episode:
Crisis Pregnancy Resources 
Coincidence? I Met Two Angels - Single Mom Smiling blog post about Betsy and Rochelle, the women who returned my $100. Please pray for them and their families! :)
 
Next Steps:
1. Fiercely Beloved: the Grit, Grace, & Growth Challenge - Lenten Challenge. Email me now to sign up for a VERY low price!  Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
 
2. Join The Smiling Cadre a brand new private facebook group dedicated to rising to our challenges through gratitude, laughter, and a fantastically awesome community!
 
3. 10 Questions Every Woman Should Ask - Click for your FREE eBook
 
4. Coach with Kerri - Check out your best coaching plan here.
 
5. Email me at Kerri@SingleMomSmiling.com
 
6. Join Catholic Single Moms' Private Facebook Group.