We’re giving you permission to take care of yourself. Self-care isn’t a luxury—it's a necessity for your well-being and your family's health. And it might be easier than you think!

“Mommin’ ain’t easy,” as they say. And if you’re also trying to navigate the dating world, welcome to another layer of complexity. You deserve love, intimacy, and a fulfilling relationship, but how do you get that with all the other demands on your life?

As you turned the page on the new year, you may have set a New Year’s resolution that you’ve already fumbled. If so, you’re not alone. Did you know that most people who set New Year’s resolutions quit within the first week? 

The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. However, it can also be a period of stress, anxiety, and strained relationships, especially when managing family dynamics. As the holidays approach, our to-do lists grow longer, our time and energy become scarce resources, and our patience can wear thin. Whether dealing with relatives or co-parenting with an ex-partner, setting healthy boundaries is crucial to ensure that the holidays are a time of harmony, love, and emotional well-being for everyone involved.

From the outside looking in, Carissa’s life looked ideal.

The realities of hunger and homelessness were things Tiffany did not want her child to experience. So when she found herself engaged and in overwhelming debt, she left an unhealthy situation and did whatever she needed to do to take care of her family.

Mama, the holidays are upon us, and you know what that means— recipes, wrapping, and running around. But this season doesn’t have to be stressful. We asked our Shepherd’s Village family to share their favorite holiday recipes and traditions to help you make your season a time of rest, joy, and thanksgiving.

It’s been eight years since I entered the world (and label) of being a “single mom.” Before that time, I was blessed with a wonderful husband for almost nine years. When we brought home our first child from the hospital, he shared so much of the parenting partnership with me—feedings, sleepless nights, sick days, and bedtime routines.

Rose didn't want her two-and-a-half-year-old son Aiden to grow up without a father the way she had. She tried to stay and make things work with her husband, feeling confident she was shielding Aiden from the fighting, yelling, and other struggles happening in their home.

The last day of school is quickly approaching. Your kids may be getting excited as they think about the blissful days of zero homework, lots of pool time, a few beach days, and very lazy living.

Single motherhood. That wasn’t a path Christine ever expected to walk.

When my single mother died in 2017 of dementia, I had the sober privilege of speaking at her funeral.