Raising Fatherless Kids

On Christmas Eve, Lori invites single and widowed moms into the heart of the Christmas story—the Lamb of God who came near. While Christmas Eve is often portrayed as peaceful and serene, many moms raising children with an absent dad experience a night filled with pain, tears, and last–minute responsibilities. Lori offers compassion, biblical truth, and practical encouragement for mothers navigatin...

As Christmas approaches and the days grow full and emotional, Lori invites single and widowed moms to look at a tender part of the Christmas story—the shepherds. These quiet, ordinary men were the first to hear the news that Jesus, the Savior, had come. Their story offers comfort for mothers raising children without an earthly dad, reminding us that God is our faithful Shepherd who watches, protec...

Single and widowed moms often hear well–meaning phrases like, “Your daddy is now your guardian angel.” In this episode, Lori gently unpacks what Scripture really says about angels, clarifies common misunderstandings, and offers comforting, hope–filled truth you can share with your children. Key Takeaways for Moms: 1. Do our loved ones become angels when they die? 2. Angels in Scripture 3. Angels i...

In this heartfelt Christmas-season episode of Raising Fatherless Kids, Lori shares the pivotal moment when God whispered, “You are just the mom.” For every mother feeling the pressure to fill the void of an absent dad—through death, divorce, or desertion—this conversation is a reminder that you do not have to do it all. God’s presence is enough. Lori is joined by her son Evan, who offers practical...

As Thanksgiving approaches, many single and widowed moms feel the pain of an empty chair at the table,  a tender reminder of who is missing. This heartfelt episode offers hope and gentle guidance for moms navigating grief, change, and new traditions. Whether you are facing your first holiday without your husband or walking through another year of absence, you are reminded that God’s grace meets yo...

In this heartfelt episode, Lori Apon welcomes her son, Evan , to share what it was like to grow up without a dad and how God became his Father. Together, they encourage moms raising sons to move from a victim mentality to a victorious mindset rooted in truth. You will be reminded that even when Dad is absent, God is present and powerful to redeem your child’s story. Key Takeaways Beliefs shape beh...

In this special episode marking the beginning of Raising Fatherless Kids on YouTube, host Lori Apon takes us back to where it all began—the story behind the podcast and Perspective Ministries. Lori shares her personal journey from wife to widow, mothering eight young children after tragedy, and the hope she found in God’s promise from Psalm 68:5: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows.”...

In this heartfelt episode, Lori welcomes back Chris Britt, who previously shared his story of growing up with three dads—but discovering the steadfast love of one perfect Father. Today, Chris returns to share how memorizing Scripture transformed his life, reshaped his purpose, and became the foundation for leading his family of four boys. From leaving behind a promising acting career in Los Angele...

Whether you are a widowed mom considering a visit to the grave of your child’s dad or a divorced single mom helping your children process the absence of their father, this decision is one of the most tender parts of parenting after loss. In this heartfelt and biblically grounded episode, Lori offers practical wisdom and spiritual guidance to help you discern what is best for your family. Together,...

Parenting a son without an active father in his life can feel overwhelming, isolating, and heavy — but it is not a journey a mother is meant to walk alone. This episode offers biblical encouragement and practical guidance for single and widowed moms navigating the unique challenges of raising boys on their own. Through honest reflection and actionable wisdom, it explores how to release the pressur...

This episode concludes our series on one of the most painful lies widows and single moms often believe—that it was somehow our fault our husband died, or that our children are growing up without their dad because of something we did or failed to do. Regret is real, but it never gets the final word. God does, and He is our Redeemer. We will look at the character of God as Redeemer, explore how to r...

Perhaps you’ve felt the heavy weight of regret—those “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” moments that whisper lies and leave you feeling responsible for things you could never control. In this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids , Lori unpacks the crucial difference between conviction from the Holy Spirit and condemnation from the enemy. Understanding this distinction changes everything. Conviction lea...

Lori opens a special three-part series, Regret Meets Redemption , addressing lies that widows, single moms, and even children often believe and how God's attributes dismantle those lies. Today’s lie is the belief that we could have done something to keep our children from growing up without their dad. Knowing God as our Redeemer shatters that lie and brings hope. Through Scripture, personal r...

What does it mean to grow up fatherless when you technically have dads in and out of your life? How can God reveal Himself as Father through confusing, absent, or painful circumstances? Lori Apon sits down with Chris Britt to hear his powerful testimony of growing up with multiple “dads”— a biological father he barely knew, an adoptive father who struggled with alcohol, and eventually a stepfather...

When Joshua declared, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), he was leaving a blessing for generations to come. But what happens when Dad is no longer there to make that declaration over your home? Can a mom take this stand for her family? The answer is yes—absolutely yes. In today’s episode, Lori Apon encourages moms to boldly proclaim this truth over their homes and chi...

If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone. In this tender and needed conversation, Lori welcomes Catherine to share her deeply personal journey of loss by suicide. Catherine opens up about the night she lost her brother, the emotional and spiritual aftermath, and how God’s presence met her in the...

Many single moms already feel the exhaustion setting in just a few weeks into the school year. The demands pile up, unexpected challenges arrive, and the weight feels impossible to carry. In this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids , Lori Apon offers hope and encouragement for the days when you feel like you cannot make it another step. Through personal stories, Lori explains the two kinds of weigh...

As summer fades into the school year's structure, single and widowed moms often face increased demands. Lori offers gentle encouragement and practical strategies for creating manageable routines and simple systems to bring peace and order to your home and heart. Whether you're overwhelmed by grief or daily tasks or simply need encouragement in solo parenting, this episode provides relata...

In this episode of Raising Fatherless Kids , Lori shares a powerful promise from the Word of God specifically for children growing up without an earthly father. Drawing from Proverbs 23:10–11 , Lori reminds moms that God has not forgotten their children—He personally defends the field of the fatherless . With warmth and wisdom, Lori explains the significance of ancient boundary stones and fields a...

As the school year begins, it is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the words we speak over our children—and ourselves. In this episode, Lori shares a powerful parenting tip that helped shape the way she encouraged and corrected her children as a young mom raising eight kids. You will be challenged to reframe phrases like “good girl” or “bad boy” and instead use language that separates ident...

What happens when your faith begins to unravel? When the solid ground beneath you suddenly shifts? In this powerful conversation, Lori welcomes author and chaplain Catherine McNeil to discuss her latest book, Mid-Faith Crisis , co-written with Jason Hague. Drawing from personal experience and spiritual insight, Catherine gently guides listeners through the stages of faith and reminds us that even...

In this heartfelt episode, Lori encourages single and widowed moms navigating the heat of summer—and the heat of life—to do hard things . Through personal stories, from childbirth to cutting the grass after her husband's death, Lori shares how God used difficult moments to shape her, strengthen her, and reveal His presence in the midst of pain. Whether you are embracing a new reality after lo...

In this heartfelt episode, Lori welcomes long-time friend Stacie Kersey to share her powerful story of contentment in singleness and how God led her to adopt two daughters later in life. Stacey offers encouragement for women navigating unexpected seasons, including singleness, loneliness, and motherhood without a husband. Raised in a conservative Christian home, Stacey was deeply influenced by the...

In this heartfelt episode, Lori gently guides mothers through one of the hardest truths to navigate as parents: how to teach their children that God is good, even when life feels anything but. Drawing from personal experience and Scripture, Lori shares practical wisdom for walking with your children through seasons of suffering, loss, and deep questions about God's character. Key Takeaways: H...

In this timely episode of Raising Fatherless Kids , Lori sits down with Dr. Leonard Sax—author, psychologist, and family physician—for a conversation every mom needs to hear. Drawing from his book Why Gender Matters , Dr. Sax presents groundbreaking research on the biological differences between boys and girls and how those truths can guide moms as they respond to children experiencing gender conf...