Episode 2: Empowering Single Mothers

In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, we are dedicating today’s episode to single mothers and empowering them to make the changes necessary to move forward in their lives. 

Parenting is too important a responsibility to bear alone. Yet, so many mothers are forced to do just that due to a variety of situations. Many single moms struggle at some point as we can simply not do everything on our own. It also plays a toll on our mental health and the kid’s mental health. It’s in our hands to seek the support we need to function to the best of our ability and thrive instead of survive. 

In today’s episode, I will be chatting withAndrea Starr and Mary Miller of Forward Foundation. We discuss how to empower single mothers, why good mental health is essential for moms, and Andrea’s journey from an abusive relationship to being a single mother to living her best life now. 

Andrea encourages her listeners to embrace who we are, recognize that each of us is unique and a solution that works for one, may not be the best fit for another person. We need to learn how to balance our roles as women without competition. Let’s take off the facade and be real. We need to recognize we are all individuals, our needs are different, the burdens we can carry are so unique – that’s what makes us all special. 

She shares her perspective that mothers make a big mistake by staying in relationships for the sake of their kids. Staying in toxic relationships is ultimately very unhealthy for our children. We think that we don’t want to cause any disruption in their lives. We are doing our kids a disservice by not teaching them early on how important it is to take care of ourselves. They learn that by seeing us live our life. 

We need to set the same boundaries for healthy relationships for self worth. We need to improve upon demonstrating and living out healthy boundaries and show that respect to ourselves. We need to teach our kids what a healthy relationship looks like. 

Listen in to hear us talk about : 

1.     Andrea shares her journey of being a single mom

2.     How Andrea’s experience and passion for single moms led her to serve single mothers with Forward Foundation.

3.     By getting out of a toxic relationship not only helps moms but also their children. 

If you are a single mom, please take inventory of your mental state, recognize the signs and seek professional help if you need support. Feel free to connect with me if I can serve you in your healing journey.

About: 

Andrea

Andrea is a vibrant leader, advocate, and relationship builder. She is passionate about creating change through nonprofit community leadership and partnerships. Andrea has played an integral part in serving her community through various roles. For nearly two decades, she served as a mentor and volunteer tutor for special needs children. Her community involvement has included serving as an officer on nonprofit boards, steering committees, strategic planning roles, and as a guest speaker. She has been a Richmond-area resident for the last 29 years and loves spending her free time with her family and incorporating health and wellness into her active lifestyle.

Mary

Mary has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been a Social Worker for years in different settings and enjoys all aspects of helping people. She volunteers with Ashland Christian Emergency Services and is a foster parent with Richmond City. In her free time, Mary enjoys exercising, reading, and being outdoors.

RESOURCES
My Website: http://www.wholymom.com 

Follow me on IG: @wholymom or Facebook: facebook.com/wholymom. 

Have Questions? Send me an email at: info@wholymom.com.

Want to know more about Forward Foundation? Please visit their Website.  www.forwardfoundationva.org  or Connect with them on FB, LinkedIn, YouTube, or IG

In Andrea’s words: let go of who you think you are supposed to be and be authentic. Don’t be ashamed of your story as your story will always inspire someone. You don’t get rid of yesterday by talking about it all the time, You get rid of its effect on you by moving forward. Forward is forward – the speed does not matter.

So keep moving forward my friend! You will get through this season! 

Jenny