Single Mother Survival Guide

Lisa Burling went from living a blessed life as a PR professional with an international career and a loving partner to an unemployed single mum with two children under the age of 3, one of whom was fighting for his life as a preemie. In this episode, Lisa shares her story and tells us how the power of a little dream changed her life. She also tells how she shifted her life quickly from one of unex...

In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to: Money and being a single mum. Introducing a new partner to your child. Interstate relocation. We also get an update from the anonymous listener who wrote in and said she wasn't sure if she wanted to stay the primary parent of her child. This question was addressed in Episode 122. She chats with me about...

Isabelle Silbery is my guest on this week's episode. Isabelle stars in Gogglebox (7.30pm Wednesdays on Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel and Thursdays 8.30pm on Channel Ten) and is, of course, an amazing single mum.  This is Part two of a two-part series. In Part 1 ( episode 136 ) Isabelle chatted with me about the relationship she had with her ex-husband and how it ended. Isabelle fell madly in love ear...

Isabelle Silbery is my guest on this week's episode. Isabelle stars in Gogglebox (7.30pm Wednesdays on Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel and Thursdays 8.30pm on Channel Ten) and is, of course, an amazing single mum.  This is Part 1 of a two-part series, and in this episode, we chat about Isabelle's journey of becoming a single mum. Links mentioned in the episode: Connect with Isabelle on Instagram here ....

In this week's episode, I answer the following question sent in by a listener: "Julia! Sorry for the personal message but I'm going out of my mind. My son is 5 months old, and my partner left when I was 5 months pregnant. Almost a year ago. He sees his son once a month for a couple of hours. I'm still devastated. I was diagnosed with PTSD and PND, and I am finding single parenting so overwhelming....

Sara Lingenfelter is a single mum and the founder and owner of Virtual Biz Partner , which provides business management for online business owners worldwide. She is also dedicated to providing work-from-home opportunities to women through an accessible online educational course that teaches them how to get started as a Virtual Assistant.  Sara is one strong woman; she has been through a lot and go...

Hayley thought her relationship with her husband had been a fairytale. They had been together for more than nine years. They had traveled, enjoyed hiking and doing things together in the outdoors, had just finished renovating a home and had just had a baby. Hayley was very much in love. So when her husband's demeanor changed and he then casually told her that he didn't love her anymore, her whole...

Hayley thought her relationship with her husband had been a fairytale. They had been together for more than nine years. They had traveled, enjoyed hiking and doing things together in the outdoors, had just finished renovating a home and had just had a baby. Hayley was very much in love. So when her husband's demeanor changed and he then casually told her that he didn't love her anymore, her whole...

Hayley thought her relationship with her husband had been a fairytale. They had been together for more than nine years. They had traveled, enjoyed hiking and doing things together in the outdoors, had just finished renovating a home and had just had a baby. Hayley was very much in love. So when her husband's demeanor changed and he then casually told her that he didn't love her anymore, her whole...

In this week's episode, I talk about cruising with kids as a single parent and my recent experience on a cruise with my daughter.  Links mentioned in the episode: Thank you to this week's sponsor -  Reading Eggs .  Get your Reading Eggs four-week FREE trial HERE .  Vote for the Single Mother Survival Guide podcast in the Australian podcast Awards HERE . Thank you

In this week's episode I, along with a very special guest, talk about your child starting school and how to get through it as a single mum.  Links mentioned in the episode: Thank you to this week's sponsor -  Reading Eggs .  Get your Reading Eggs four-week FREE trial HERE .  Vote for the Single Mother Survival Guide podcast in the Australian podcast Awards HERE . Thank you

Lisa Kennedy met her husband when she was 21 years old. It was love at first sight. They got married and built a life, business, and family together in Australia. Nine years into their marriage they were on a routine holiday in Turkey with their 8-month-old son when one day her husband took their son to visit his parents. When he had not returned later that day, Lisa called him only to be told tha...

Lisa Kennedy met her husband when she was 21 years old. It was love at first sight. They got married and built a life, business, and family together in Australia. Nine years into their marriage they were on a routine holiday in Turkey with their 8-month-old son when one day her husband took their son to visit his parents. When he had not returned later that day, Lisa called him only to be told tha...

In this solo episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to: When your husband whom you recently separated from starts dating one of the other mums in your child's class. When your ex is constantly threatening you with going to court. When you are very pregnant and just separated from your partner and he wants 50% custody of your baby that is about to be born...

In this solo episode, I chat about the six steps I take each year to create my best year yet. And you know what? It only gets better and better!  Take a listen and plan out your 2019.  Links mentioned in the episode: Podcast episode 088 - Goal setting for single mums Blog post -  SETTING GOALS AS A SINGLE MUM Marcia Watt's podcast - Episode 084 - Re-partnering as a single mum and the intentional f...

In this solo episode, I chat about looking after yourself when your child is away with the other parent. We talk about strategies, self-care, and looking after your physical and mental health.  Links mentioned in the episode: To contact Julia, email:  julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com . For information about the single parent mentoring programs available with Julia, visit  Single Mother Survival...

In this solo episode of the Single Mother Survival Guide Podcast, I talk all things Christmas as a single mum - how to make some quick cash beforehand, how to get through the day and make it easier and better (whether it's your first Christmas as a single mum or not), what you can get started on this year to make Christmas 2019 even better and less stressful, and tips on how to get through the day...

What happens if you're not sure that you want to be the primary parent anymore?  If you're a regular listener you'll know that I often do "Ask Julia" style episodes, where I try to offer some advice on a particular single mum issue. Recently I got asked this really interesting question... She wrote... Hi Julia!  I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your podcast and listening each week. I wa...

Amy Molloy sure knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity and getting through challenging times. As a teenager Amy suffered from anorexia, she became a 23-year-old widow, her second marriage ended in divorce, there is a family history of depression, and her father was paralysed with cancer… Now, Amy is married to her third husband and she has two beautiful children. In her latest book, The W...

In this solo episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to: Whether to include the other parent in your child's birthday party. How to respond to a child when they mention that they want to live with both their mum and dad again together in the same house. How soon is too soon when it comes to dating and dealing with insecurity as a single mother. Links ment...

Has someone ever said anything to you that you haven't been able to drop easily or forget? Something that really hurt your feelings? Perhaps an ex-telling you something that really stings? Or perhaps you remember very clearly a small negative childhood memory which overpowers lots of positive ones?  In this solo episode, Julia talks about negative versus positive comments, feedback, memories, and...

Tanya Savva is a remarkable woman. She lives a life that is harder than a lot of single mothers, but it is also a very happy and rewarding life. She has sacrificed a lot but something that I felt after speaking with Tanya is the confidence and self-awareness that she exudes. Tanya knows her purpose. And there is something incredibly empowering about that. Tanya's nine-year-old daughter was born bl...

In this solo episode, Julia answers some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to: How to remain calm and not respond to an ex trying to upset you, and not allowing his behaviour or actions affect you. If shared parenting gets easier and how to manage an ex who plays games and seems to have no interest in a child's physical and mental well-being. How to handle a brand new bre...

On this week's episode, Julia speaks with Kat Wieczorek-Ghisso. Kat is the co-founder of Paisley Park Early Learning and is also a single mum. Kat has made a significant contribution to the education of young children and is recognized as a thought leader and expert within the field. In this episode, Kat shares her advice for single mums from the perspective of an early learning educator, and also...

Ashlene Marshall was fast asleep when her husband woke her up and told her he had something to say. He told her he was done. They had been together for ten years and had a 21 week old and a 2 year old. There were no prior to signs that there was anything wrong in the relationship, or that he was unhappy.  In this episode, Ashlene shares her single mum story.  She also discusses ten signs of men wh...