Raising children has always included blessings, challenges, and lessons to be learned not only by the children but also by the mom. The experience of motherhood provides many opportunities to know God in ways we never knew Him, along with the gift of sanctification making us more like Him.

Although, as single moms we parent alone, God is with you. He sees you, Mom. He knows your struggles, challenges, and the uniqueness of your children. He will be faithful to you. Just as you delight in the presence of your children, God delights in you.

Kreig Teague is wife to her husband of 53 years, mother of five, and grandmother to 14. She believes the top priority of motherhood is to teach our children to know God and that He is absolutely crazy about them and wants the best for their lives. 

In this episode, a variety of topics on mothering are discussed, including:

Other resources:

Reflections on Motherhood Part One with Suzanne Miller

The Grace of God in Raising Children with Mary Madeline Whittinghill 

Mother's Helper: A Guide for Desperate Parents by Kreig Teague

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

Motherhood takes humility and endurance. And a big measure of grace is required in a season where comparison, stress, exhaustion, and grief want to rob us of the joy of our high calling. But we can rest assured knowing that God carries moms and gently leads those who have young (Isaiah 40:11, NKJV).  

During the month of May, we are having conversations with moms sharing what they would do differently and what they would do again given the chance. In Part Two Mary Madeline Whittinghill encourages young moms from her experience in raising children.   

In this episode these helpful topics are discussed:

Mary Madeline Whittinghill is wife to her husband of 45 years, mother of five, and grandmother to 21. She loves the Lord and His word. Motherhood is one of her greatest joys and she delights in investing in her grandchildren.

Other Resources:

Reflections on Motherhood Part One with Suzanne Miller

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

As Mother’s Day approaches, we turned to seasoned mothers and grandmothers for their reflections on motherhood. In Part One we are joined by wife, mom, and grandmother, Suzanne Miller."

God is not silent about mothering. It is interesting to note that even in the Book of Kings, God would often name the king and also his mother. And King Solomon talks of the value of a mother’s teaching in the book of Proverbs.

In this episode, the following will be discussed:

Suzanne Miller is wife to her husband of 51 years, mother of 7, and grandmother to 13. She has a passion to pass on what was passed to her, namely a love for God and His Word, encouragement, and teaching it to those in the trenches of motherhood.

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

The first Thursday in May is designated by the United States Congress as a day when all US citizens are asked to turn to God in prayer. Every year the president is required by law to sign a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on that day.

This focus on prayer for our country is crucial and prompted today’s podcast on the subject of prayer. When death intersects our lives, it is unwanted, often unexpected, and interrupts everything. When this happens, it is important that we do not let grief separate us from talking to God. This is the time when we need Him the most. And it is essential that we pray with and for our children. 

In this episode, Lori discusses prayer including:

Resources on Prayer:

What Happens When Women Pray by Evelyn Christensen

Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious Specific, and Strategic Prayer  by Priscilla Schier, 

The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie Omartian

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop. 

War Room 

Prayers for the Fatherless

Prayers for the Widow booklet

PrayerMate

Other Resources:

Accepting Fatherlessness by God’s Grace with Isaac Apon

The Investment of a Mentor with Brandon Apon and Eric Helms

The Value of a Mentor for Fatherless Sons with Evan Apon and Dave Inabnit

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

The process of growth from a fatherless little boy into manhood includes growth spurts, maturity, emotions, and time. Mentors, a biblical perspective, and the grace of God also impact the depth of healing. 

Isaac Apon lost his dad by suicide at the age of five. He understands the pain and found peace when He placed his trust in God and looked to Him as Father. 

In this episode, Isaac Apon discusses the following:

Additional Resources:

The Importance of a Mentor Part One

The Value of a Mentor Part Two

The Investment of a Mentor

The Importance of Mentors and How to Ask

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

Eating disorders are rampant today. The common age of struggling children is ages 13-15. There are many factors opening the door for this type of bondage, including social media, peer influence, loss of a parent, and the fear of losing control. Mothers raising fatherless children must be aware of the temptation to fill the void in a variety of ways including an unhealthy relationship with food.

In today’s episode, Dr. Bowden discusses the following:

Michelle Bowden is a follower of Jesus, a pastor’s wife, and a mom of two who works as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and as a pediatrician in Adolescent Clinics at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. There, she leads a multidisciplinary eating disorder clinic to evaluate and treat teenagers with eating disorders including Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake

Additional Resources: 

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

https://www.feast-ed.org/

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

This is such a special episode because it's the first birthday of the Help! I’m Raising Fatherless Kids podcast! Moms, thank you for taking the time to listen when you have so much demanding your attention. 

One of the most important celebrations that I had with my children was the “Blessing Party” at the beginning of their teenage season. This is a time to guide your child in putting away childish things and transitioning them to adulthood. 

In this episode, Lori discusses the following:

Other resources:

 The Blessing by John Trent, Gary Smalley, and Kari Trent Stageberg

The letter of blessing that was written and then spoken over my child at the Blessing Party included some of the following:

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries or email  [email protected]

As a mom, one of the greatest responsibilities and joys is telling her children the story of Jesus and the good news of the Gospel. 

In today’s episode, Lori talks about Easter including:

Other resources:

Advent: Count Down to the Coming of Christ 

Resurrection Eggs

Easter Music

Easter Song

The Old Rugged Cross

At the Cross

Christ the Lord is Risen Today 

He Lives

Because He Lives

Crown Him with Many Crowns

It is Finished

Arise My Love

Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Hebrews 9:12 

John 3:16 

Matthew 28:1-6 

Romans 3:23 

Romans 6:23 

1 John 1:9

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:13 

If you prayed with me the prayer of salvation, or have a prayer request, please email [email protected] to share the good news!

Mom, you are not alone! 

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom 

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.

God will often use mentors as a vessel for His fathering. One of the most important investments a single mom can make in the life of her children, especially her sons, is providing a mentor. A man who will come alongside to help navigate the path of a boy from childhood to manhood, from teaching simple skills of a handshake to pursuing a wife, and everything in between. 

Single moms will need to release a lot of their preconceived ideas of what family looks like and consider that it will take a village to help raise their children. A fatherless child is not likely to stay on the right path without the strong support of somebody guiding them along the way.

Eric Helms is the founder of Driven to Encourage Ministries and the territory servant leader for Atlanta Metro and travels to many locations sharing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He does this through a variety of topics including his own radical testimony. He wants others to understand how much the Savior loves them, desires personal relationships with them, and how Jesus wants us to be obedient to Him. Eric and his wife, Michele, live in north Georgia.

Brandon Apon, the oldest son of Lori Apon, went to Liberty University where he graduated with a degree in Business Marketing. Upon walking on to the football team, Brandon earned team captain honors, a full scholarship, and was named a Hammer Strength All-American as well as 1st Team All-State and All-Conference. It was at Liberty where Brandon met his wife, Brittany. They moved to Atlanta after graduation and have enjoyed building both a family and a career in Georgia. Brandon started selling cars for the Hendrick Automotive Group as his first job after college. At 27, he was promoted to General Manager of Mall of Georgia Mazda in Buford, GA, one of the youngest in the organization.  He was recently named Automotive News 40 Under 40, highlighting the top leaders in the industry. Brandon and Brittany are celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary, and are blessed with two boys, Brantley (4) and Barrett (2).

In this episode, Eric and Brandon discuss the following:

Additional Resources:

The Importance of Mentors and How to Ask

The Importance of a Mentor Part One

The Value of a Mentor Part Two

The Impact of a Mentor 

Mom, you are not alone!

Last week our guest, Zach Garza, shared his fatherless journey and the impact mentors had on his life. As we continue the conversation, Zach shares insight and wisdom on what moms should anticipate as their children, especially boys, process the loss of an earthy father.

Zach Garza, the founder of Forerunner Mentoring and Vice President of Expansion for the Mentoring Alliance, which equips and encourages mentors to build relationships with kids who have experienced adverse circumstances.

In this episode, Zach talks about the five stages for processing dad loss:

Additional Resources:

The Importance of a Mentor Part One

The Importance of Mentors and How to Ask

The Mentoring Alliance

Forerunner Mentoring

You Can Mentor by Zach Garza

You Can Mentor Podcast with Zach Garza

Mom, you are not alone!

Join our private Facebook group for more encouragement and community: https://bit.ly/widowmom

For more information and helpful resources, check our website: PerspectiveMinistries.org & follow us on Instagram @PerspectiveMinistries.