Raising Fatherless Kids

As the new year begins, I'm going to put my mentor hat on and speak candidly and compassionately on some things for young single moms. Even though your family unit has changed, you are a family. Make the most of your time together. Be intentional about how you will do life together, including work, school, home management, extracurricular activities, and vacations. This is your children'...

There is nothing that captures our attention more than a tragic story that ends in triumph! Sean Teis shares his riveting story of abuse and becoming fatherless as a baby, but the story doesn’t end there. Sean testifies that God intervened, fulfilling His promise to be a Father to the fatherless. Time and time again, God’s hand was on his life protecting and preparing him for the mission he feels...

In the last episode, we talked about the three phases of grief a mother experiences with her child. And after the show we received some feedback – moms want to know more! So, in this bonus episode, I will cover the common feelings of fear and abandonment and the 8 realities that many fatherless boys and girls struggle with. For example, boys will wrestle with a fear of failure while girls will be...

You’ve never raised fatherless kids before, so to start, let me tell you something I’m sure you have heard before —  you’re not going to wrap this up in a box with a pretty bow.  You’re on a journey and every mama's experience will be different. Today, we’re talking about the processing of grief and carrying grief for our children. In the early days, months, and years, a mom will grieve  for ...

The days following Christmas as we ring in the new year, require the proper perspective, especially amidst grief and life’s challenges.  In this episode, Lori talks about Five perspective considerations Keys to restarting a new year Her personal family highlights To donate to Perspective Ministries, click here . Check out these favorite and most listened-to episodes of 2023! Let’s Talk About Grief...

We are all desperately longing for peace. You may be in a season of suffering but able to proclaim that you are experiencing a  peace that surpasses understanding , or you may be crying out for peace amidst the turmoil. No matter where you find yourself today, you have access to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  The prophet Isaiah gives four titles for Jesus, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is...

There is no way to understand how the baby born in a manger has been here since eternity, and yet Jesus has been the Everlasting Father. We are also told in Ephesians 1:5 and 11 that before the foundation of the world God predestined those who would be His children. This is truly a mystery.  In this episode, Lori will answer an important question and talk about: Jesus Christ, the second Adam, our...

Each advent season calls us to ponder the promise of Isaiah 9:6, “For a child will be born to us. A son will be given, and the government will rest on his shoulders, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.” Scripture uses many names to describe the members of the Trinity, but these names were given in anticipation of Jesus Christ our Messiah, the...

There are over 100 names for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible. Each name describes His character and gives believers encouragement. When we think of the names of God at Christmas, four titles for the Messiah from Isaian 9:6 give us hope: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.  At some point in all our lives we will need counsel, leading us to...

Living an encouraged life means to live IN courage, and courage is the “ability to do something that frightens you or strength in the face of pain or grief.” Single and widow moms are placed in a position where they must live courageously.  In this episode, Lori talks about The enemies of healing that will discourage or remove courage from your life Woman of courage in the Bible Other Resources: C...

When a kid loses a dad as an infant or small child, fatherlessness is all they know. A child will grow not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. And as they mature, their perspective and understanding of the loss experienced will also grow.  God offers grace to children growing up without a dad. Processing loss by suicide adds layers to the grief process but is no match for God’...

In the early years of grieving loss, we wonder if the holidays will ever be good again. Moms, let me encourage you, it won’t always be this way. You will make it through the valley and the holidays will be filled with joy again. In the meantime, God is with you! You won’t want to miss Lisa Appelo, Tara Dickson, and Clarissa Moll talking about: How to make it through the first set of holidays Navig...

In God’s ideal design, human fathers are supposed to be a shadow of our Heavenly Father, showing their kids what it means to be seen, heard, disciplined, loved, and taken care of. For all those reasons and more, it’s devastating when a child learns that their parents are getting divorced. Life as they knew it changes, leaving them to navigate a path that could lead to further destruction as they p...

Rejection, abandonment, abuse, betrayal, divorce, and desertion often open the door for the enemy to come in with his lies, saying we are a terrible mom and our children will not be okay. As a single mom, navigating the winding path of an inconsistent dad is not easy, but God is with you during your times of isolation, loneliness, and pain and His word offers wisdom, guidance, and hope. In this ep...

The poor choices of a dad do not determine the destiny of his children. With God as Father, their story can be one of blessing and hope. God declares Himself to be a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5), therefore, we must anticipate His “fathering” and encourage fatherless children to look for the ways that He cares for them as a Father. In this episode, Christian Norman talks about Practical wa...

When a boy experiences the absence of his earthly dad at a very young age, the emotional loss is not of an actual person with a specific face but the idea of a dad, someone who is there consistently to ask questions, play, and do the normal things that the dad would do.  How do you work through the emotions of an absent dad who suddenly appears back into your life? In this episode, Christian discu...

Losing an earthly dad at a young age launches both child and mother into a lifelong progress of grief. There will be stages when the mother must carry the grief for her child, and as the child grows, so will their grief and understanding of the loss. Today Lori continues the conversation with a mother and daughter who experienced this type of loss. Jennifer lost her dad in the line of duty at the...

When a child loses their dad in the line of duty, grief is complicated with many layers to process. His death leaves behind a newly single mom with the responsibility of raising her children without an earthly dad. Our mother/daughter guests today provide great insight as they share their experience with losing their husband/daddy while serving his community. In this episode, the single mom and fa...

The absence of an earthly dad is caused by a variety of reasons: death, divorce, desertion, and even when a dad is disengaged from his children. He may be in the home but not involved in the lives of his kids, causing them to feel that they are fatherless. In this episode, Chad Wallen discusses the following: The pain of a disengaged dad and finding healing through giving grace Directing the disto...

If you are struggling in any way with suicide ideation or know someone who is, please call the hotline number 988.  The suicide death of a parent leaves behind children on a lifetime journey of processing that loss. Rejection, betrayal, deep grief, and unanswered questions have the potential to cause torment for years. Mo Isom Aiken shares her story of the death of her dad by suicide and the proce...

If you are struggling in any way with suicide ideation or know someone who is, please call the hotline number 988.  Loss by suicide leaves behind loved ones who feel rejected, abandoned, and  deep grief over a loss that did not have to happen. Mo Isom Aiken shares her story of the death of her dad by suicide, shifting the trajectory of her life while also being used by God for His glory. Through p...

Suicide Awareness Week is September 10-16, 2023. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or know of someone who is, please call 988. Grieving loss by suicide is long, complicated, and has a lot of layers. Moms will carry the grief for their children in the early years and then watch them wrestle through the pain as they grow into an understanding of the choice that was made by their dad. Ac...

The ache of missing a dad to watch a son play sports, guide him through life’s difficulties, or get down on his knees to pray together is a tender spot for all fatherless men. Healing will come when humility is exercised and he is able to trust God, looking to Him as the perfect Father. Boyd Bailey shares his experience with the pain of missing a dad and his journey of healing by serving, loving,...

When a young boy is deserted by his earthly dad, the impact of this loss sends ripples through his whole life. And yet, God is always there. Boyd Bailey tells the story of growing up with a single mom, longing for the affirmation and physical presence of his daddy. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t have a dad like everyone else, but throughout his childhood, seeds of truth and hope were planted...

Words have power. The Bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). We must be careful with the words of our mouths. Proverbs 16:23 says, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth.” We must be careful with the words of our mouths, especially when it comes to our children in a moment of frustration or anger. Our words must be full of grace, and if they aren’t, we wo...