Raising Fatherless Kids

Some of the most amazing stories are those where beauty rises out of ashes. Isaiah 61:3 gives this hope to those in the midst of suffering. Our guest today shares her story of God’s faithfulness in using what the enemy meant for evil for good in her life when death at the hand of her father was planned. In this episode, Whitney Van Matre talks about God’s protection in public devastation with Dad...

Raising children happens in seasons, each one bringing joy and challenges. A common question of single moms is, “Will my fatherless children be okay?” This concern is valid, with statistics showing that the absence of an earthly father has a negative impact. However, when children look to God, who promises to be a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5), there is hope! In this final episode of Lori’...

Raising fatherless children is often an unexpected task for moms. Single parenting comes with challenges as well as celebrations. In this journey, we find solace in the fact that God is faithful to His promise to Father the fatherless. In this episode, Lori continues reflecting on this season with a focus on the teenage years. She talks about how to build an important family foundation, blessing t...

25 years have passed since I started the journey of raising fatherless kids. Remembering is important to God, and He instructs us in His word to take time to reflect on His goodness. Lori has divided these reflections into five episodes, highlighting God’s faithfulness in each one. In this episode reflecting on the first five years of raising small children without a dad, Lori covers the following...

It is crucial to recognize fathers' impact on their children's lives. Positive affirmations from fathers can influence the trajectory of their children's lives. Conversely, negative responses, disengagement, abandonment, or hurtful comments, whether intentional or unintentional, can cause deep emotional wounds that may persist for years.  Many individuals grapple with the lingering...

Imagine losing your mother to death, your father to abandonment, and feeling the absence of a disengaged adopted father—all before the age of three. “When you don't have a family, you'll find the family somewhere” is one of the lures of a gang offering “family.” The temptation for children without an earthly father is to believe the lie that they do not have a family when the opposite is...

Adoption creates much for someone to process. From understanding the reasons behind the initial decision to place a child for adoption to knowing the family that will raise the child and processing the merging of the stories as they get older. Realistically, an adopted child will sort through the reality of three fathers: the biological dad, the adopted dad, and God as Father.  In this episode, Pa...

Adoption stories include similarities as well as various differences unique to the adopted child, including the timing of telling your child, searching for the biological parents, and processing the realities of having two families.  In this episode, Patrick talks about The impact of learning he was adopted later in life The influence of the biological dad on a man (or searching for his biological...

Adoption is a part of God’s beautiful plan of redemption. Adopted children often wrestle with questions about their biological parents' decisions, along with feelings of worthlessness, rejection, and abandonment. Despite adoption's gift of life, the enemy may twist this narrative to sow seeds of death. Steventhen Holland , a national pro-life speaker and founder of Broken, Not Dead Minis...

We all face seasons in life, especially single moms when we feel “passed by” or even “kicked to the curb!” It seems that your best life is behind you while others live out your greatest dreams. Even Jesus’ disciples experienced this when in a great storm, “He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came...

Single parents are a vital part of the body of Christ, and understanding their relationship with the church is important. Single parents navigate a myriad of challenges, from seeking support within the local church to feeling understood and embraced. While churches aspire to support solo parents, they often grapple with the best approaches to do so effectively. In the continuing conversation with...

Discover the diverse journeys of single parents raising children due to various circumstances like death, divorce, desertion, adoption, or being unmarried. Despite facing unique forms of loss, they encounter shared challenges. Anna Meade Harris, the author of God's Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single-Parent Families and the Churches that Seek to Love Them Well , reminds...

Titus 2:4-5 says young women are to be “sensible, pure, makers of a home [where God is honored], good-natured so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (AMPC). These guardrails are essential for life, especially for single moms!  Moms raising kids in a home without an earthly father must be cautious and sensible in their decision-making, parenting, and lifestyle choices. In this episode, Lor...

In this episode, we delve into the complex terrain of raising children as a single mother. While every parent faces challenges, single mothers often encounter unique hurdles that demand thoughtful consideration and creative solutions. One of the most challenging aspects of raising children without an earthly father is establishing and enforcing guardrails. Our first “Ask Dad” for help episode prov...

Parents are given approximately 18 years to train and shepherd each of their children in the way that they should go, and this includes disciplining them when they get off track. Scripture teaches that discipline is God’s idea as a way of affirming His love for us.  One of the most daunting tasks for a single mom is executing discipline while solo parenting. As the only disciplinarian, she doesn&a...

In this episode, explore the profound truth that every believer is purposefully crafted and called by God, endowed with unique gifts, and bestowed with the grace necessary to fulfill their divine purpose.  Throughout scripture, God issues a “call” to men and women alike. Paul tells us that he was called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that  God called him...

Hebrews 10:25 tells us “not to neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”  Church is God's idea. If there's ever a time for single moms to consider getting connected to the local church, it is when they have been left alone to raise their children. There's nothing like the support of the body of...

During the teenage season, a child transitions into adulthood and must take steps toward “putting away childish things.” The end goal is to move towards independence and out of the home, living a life on their own. When there is no dad in the home, or dad-loss is experienced during these years, it can be even more challenging. Solo moms need wisdom and support in navigating what can be turbulent t...

It is common for kids to appear unaffected by the death or loss of their earthly dad. Toddlers and adolescents will tearfully miss Daddy one moment and then act as if nothing has happened the next, while teens respond in a variety of ways, from anger to isolation. Both responses can cause mom deep concern. Mom will often carry this pain for her child until they grow into their grief and process it...

Single moms bear a substantial burden, carrying not only the emotional weight for their children but also juggling the demands of work while tending to their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Despite exhaustion, they resiliently navigate the trials that come their way, serving as the glue that binds the family together amidst challenging circumstances. In the absence of a dad by death...

When a boy moves into manhood, he will go through a series of milestones referred to as a “Rite of Passage.” Reaching a certain age brings with it a new level of responsibility and opportunity to prove himself trustworthy. It is helpful for single moms raising boys to be aware of these and the important role each one plays in the life of her son. The following are discussed in this episode: Eight...

In this episode, we explore a key component of parenting, intentionality, especially in the context of spiritual investment in our children. Guests Christina Brummel, a mother of ten, and Kayla Whittinghill, a mother of eight (all under twelve), share their valuable insights on making meaningful connections during mealtime. Time around the table provides a setting with a “captive” audience to not...

One-on-one time for communicating with your child is important and a priority to include in your family life. Intentional mother/child time provides a safe place for children to share their hearts in a non-threatening way. In this episode, Lori discusses: The value of a consistent tea talk (for girls) and/or chocolate chat (for boys) How to make this time easy, effective, and enjoyable What to inc...

When children lose a dad, especially at a young age, it is crucial that we preserve the story of him for them to have when they want to know who their daddy was and the impact he had on others. In this episode, Lori discusses the following: Practical ideas on how to preserve the story of daddy including Daddy Books and Daddy Boxes When and how to share the hard parts of the story, if needed The im...

Writing a letter is a simple and effective way to help children with their grief. Journaling can feel laborious for both adults and kids, but writing a letter often doesn’t feel like work. And it’s a great way to connect and share our feelings with those we love. When these letters are stored in a journal or notebook, they offer a safe place to share pain.  In this episode, Lori talks about The be...