Single Mom Smiling | Mindset Strategies for Single Moms

Single Mom Smiling | Mindset Strategies for Single Moms

Are you a busy single mom struggling with overwhelm, exhaustion, and self-doubt? Are you ready to discover hope that doesn’t come from a half-eaten chocolate bar found between couch cushions, another glass of wine in a sippy cup, or swiping through online dating sites? Then the Single Mom Smiling podcast is for you! Kerri Bishop is an author, speaker, and coach who now brings her energy and enthusiasm to podcasting. She is also a single mom of FIVE boys whose husband, on Mother’s Day, suddenly announced he was leaving. He moved out one week later. Kerri was 5 months pregnant with their 5th little boy at the time. Kerri now gratefully helps other women build lives of hope and positivity. Together, we will dive into unanswered questions, issues of self-worth, and next steps so you can become the woman and mom you are meant to be all while navigating this God-given adventure called life!

Episodes

August 25, 2025 14 mins

What battles do you face as a single mom?

Do you fight your ex, the court system, the schools or teacher unions, or maybe even your own kids?

It can be tempting to fight what is right in front of us, but Jesus tells us to focus on Him instead.

If we want to get to Heaven, we need to recognize we are in a spiritual war for our souls and not all souls who cry "Lord Lord" will go to Heaven.

There is still hope though!

Your and your ch...

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Being a Catholic mom today is a spiritual battle.

Whether you’re teaching your little ones to say their very first prayers, guiding teens through a culture that challenges their faith, or praying for a prodigal child who has walked away from the Church—you are not alone.

Join me for tips on how to lead your children in faith and what to do if they step away from the Church.

If you would like help being the best parent you can be, I...

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Have you gone through a major life change and been left asking, "What do I do now?"

You're not alone!

When life throws us curveballs, whether it's through sudden marital abandonment or a long dreaded empty nest, you may struggle with your sense of purpose.

Many people do.

In today's episode, women's life coach Kerri Bishop shows why your true purpose has not changed at all even though how you live it out has changed drastically.

Th...

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Being a single mom means you are BUSY!

It can be overwhelming.

Prayer and the Sacraments can seem like just one more thing to fit into your chaotic life. Yet, you are told to pray without ceasing!

In today's episode, I talk of how I learned to do this as a busy single mom of five boys and how you can do it too! 

God Bless...

Kerri

 

Check This Out:

  • Embrace abundant life and/or financial coaching with me here.
  • Share your input ...
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Feeling worn out as a single parent? You’re not alone!

In this faith-filled episode for Catholic single parents, we explore Sunday’s Gospel and Jesus’ parable of the faithful servants—revealing how your daily sacrifices in parenting are part of a powerful spiritual battle.

Join me to discover the hope, encouragement, and eternal rewards promised to those who serve with love until the Master returns.

If you would like help serving w...

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Are you wondering what God's plans for you are?

Do you wonder what He's thinking and how He can allow you to suffer so much when you've tried so hard to do everything right?

Are you struggling and wondering when relief and a plan will come?

Maybe you're thinking what no single mom wants to admit to thinking...that God doesn't keep His promises.

YIKES!

Catholics claim we don't believe in the prosperit...

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It's easy to fall into the comparison trap.

We see ourselves doing it with friends and strangers on social media, but it is more destructive when single moms compare their lives to their exes'.

Instead, single moms should be encouraged to build wealth on Earth in order to build the Kingdom of God. For Jesus tells you not to be foolish with what you are given, but instead to store up treasures in Heaven. 

That is something only you ...

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If you know the statistics of the "typical" single mom and her kids, you know it can be a scary world out here!

If you are wondering if there is more to you and your life and your kids, than the exhaustion and stress and fear of single parenting, this episode shows you there is more!

Many times we get comfortable being average, but faith tells you, you are not made for comfort. You are made for greatness!

God Bless...

Kerri

 

In Th...

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Hey there Beloved Mama,

Do you sometimes we cry out to God, only to have Him return a sharp NO?

How many other times, have you cried out only for Him to remain silent?

This happens even when what we ask for is good for us, for our children, for the Church.

This happens when it seems God's response "should" be an easy, "Yes!"

How can a good God, who Loves Marriage and family, who Loves you and your family in particular, not give you...

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An adulterous couple was recently caught on Coldplay's kiss cam.

Social media and internet memes rip the couple apart and root for the end of their Marriages, but is this what is best in the longterm?

Is this what is best for the betrayed spouses and their children?

What happens to the souls of all involved?

As Catholics, we need to dig into our marital vows and understand those vows are most valuable when they are hardest to uphol...

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As a single mom, you have a lot on your plate - kids, a job, housework, finances,  and so much more. It can be exhausting.

You may cry out to God and anyone else who will listen!

You may feel ignored or overlooked.

You may wonder if God sees all the work you do.

You may wonder if anyone appreciates you and your sacrifices.

In today's Gospel reflection, Martha seems to understand how you feel. She cries out to Jesus hoping He will s...

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What do you want most from life?

Many moms say they want a loving husband and children and the family the way they dreamed it would be. 

This is true for Christian moms, Catholic moms, married moms, single moms, and women in general.

But what if you dig deeper? What ties all that together?

The answer, quite simply is love.

Women want love. They want to both be loved and give love.

In today's episode, I use a simple reframe to show...

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No one likes asking for help.

For single moms, asking for help can seem like weakness and feel like shame, but it does not have to be that way!

In this episode, we read about the Good Samaritan. This traeller seems least likely to help, and yet, he's the one who cares and does what is right.

When those who should care for you do not and you are left broken and alone, help often comes from unexpected sources. 

When that help comes, ...

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I drove by the local Episcopal church the other day.

Its lgbtqai+ agenda was boldly proclaimed in streamers in the churchyard and on a giant sign displaying the phrase: 

"God loves you just the way you are"

                - the Episcopal church.

The sign and pride month got me thinking.

 

The Catholic response seems to be:

"Yes, God Loves...

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Jesus tells you to offer peace to others, but what happens when you have an ex who is hostile, or maybe even abusive?

What do you do when you think someone doesn't deserve peace, but God tells you to offer it anyway? 

You offer them peace knowing it will come back to you. 

Then you shake the dust from your sandals and rejoice, not in casting out demons, but in where your name is written! 

God Bless...

Kerri

 

In This Episode:

    ...
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The dreams of a young woman often revolve around finding the perfect man, getting married, having babies, raising children, having a career and financial stability for a home and travel and all sorts of other good and worldly things.

When a husband leaves, all those dreams come crashing down.

That's when we can be grateful for living in America, which Ronald Reagan once said was "too big for small dreams."

When life falls apart, si...

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Few people want to admit the vast numbers of single moms imprisoned by unjust court systems.

These women and their children are unable to move for better education, job opportunities, or healthcare.

They are often forced to live in the same towns their abuse took place in and often not far from their abusive exes.

America's court system is unjust and fails to take into account a parent's innocence when making its rulings. This play...

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Grief in divorce is often masked by other emotions.

Learning to grieve losses, beyond those of a runaway spouse, involves validation and hope.

In today's episode, I explain the unique grief of issues such as infidelity, abuse, and abandonment and give suggestions on how to deal with this intense sorrow.

If you want to explore your own grief and how grief affects various aspects of your life while connecting with a cadre of women in...

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Some days it may feel like you will never recover from betrayal.

It seems like you will need a miracle to feel better.

What is worse is that miracles may seem to be in short supply. They certainly don't seem to apply to you and your life, but Jesus asks you to come to Him, to believe, to not turn away as the early Christians do.

Jesus says miracles take place every day and never more so than through the Eucharist in the Holy Cathol...

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June 18, 2025 24 mins

When you've been traumatized, you will do almost anything to avoid further trauma and conflict.

People pleasing seems like it should help you avoid conflict, but it does not. Instead, it pushes wounds down the road.

People pleasing damages relationships and causes you to lose your sense of self. This is especially painful for those who had a low sense of self caused by abuse, abandonment, or other wounds.

But there is hope!

God Ble...

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