Single Mother Survival Guide

Almost two years ago, my guest's then-husband casually mentioned to her that he wanted a divorce. She had been married to her husband for over ten years, and they had three children together. The kids were home, it was just like any other day. Except it wasn't.

Although everything had been great in their marriage to begin with, cracks started to appear after the birth of their first child. Although my guest ignored the signs, there had been a loss in their connection.

When the divorce was raised, her husband refused to go to counselling and refused to move out of the house. What happened next was a cruel, slow, drawn-out ending to what had once been a happy marriage. They lived together for six months whilst her husband had an affair right in front of her eyes. My guest did not want to believe it, had been in denial of the affair and clung on for hope, but the discovery of a package and card (and what was written inside the card) from the other woman meant she could no longer pretend it wasn't happening.

In this episode, my guest shares her story. She talks about the warning signs such as how all his goals only revolved around himself and his narcissistic traits, how she became so physically sick with the stress, the trouble that she had in accepting the end of the marriage, and how ultimately she got out of her slump.

Two years on, and with her kids (now aged 11, 8, and 5), my guest has a completely different outlook on life. She sees what happened as a blessing.

She also shares the best thing about being a single mum, and her advice for others in her position.

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

The first time my guest was hit by her partner, they were driving to the supermarket. She ended up with a broken nose and a black eye. They had been together for 6 months.

In last week's episode, my anonymous guest told us her story. In this week's episode she shares:

• Recovering from domestic violence, and the beauty of life on the other side.
• The determination she gained to provide the best possible life for her son.
• Remaining single by choice.
• Finding herself again.
• Co-parenting with her abuser.
• And so much more!

This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. Part 1 can be listened to HERE.

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

The first time my guest was hit by her partner, they were driving to the supermarket. She ended up with a broken nose and a black eye. They had been together for 6 months.

Over the following years, my guest would go from being an outgoing, creative, vibrant, excitable woman to someone she didn't recognise.

In this week's episode, my anonymous guest tells her story. She tells us about how every time her partner physically hurt her, the love-bombing would start again, how apologetic he would be, about the affairs that he had, and about how every time she called him out on his unacceptable behaviour, she would get physically attacked; strangled, pushed...her head cut open. And the cycle would start again.

She tells us about how ultimately, her then two-year-old son literally saved her life.

She also discusses:

• Co-parenting with the father of her son, and how that has evolved over the years.
• The beautiful bond that she has with her son, and teaching him about good relationships.
• And how she has been gifted an opportunity to raise a next-generation great man.

This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Part 2 can be listened to next week.

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:

• When your ex buys your 8-year-old daughter a phone without consulting you.
• Considering a move to Bali for support.
• Whether or not to ditch private health insurance.

Thank you to this week's sponsor, Invisalign.

Bright Smile Dental Coogee.

Pros And Cons Of Private Health Insurance.

155 - Canna Campbell and the $1000 project.

Some ideas to help donate to the Australian Bushfire appeals here:

• NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE
• Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery
• ADOPT A WILD KOALA
• WIRES Wildlife Rescue
• Celeste Barber's appeal
• Salvation Army Disaster Appeal
• VINNIES BUSHFIRE APPEAL
• BlazeAid

Book in for an intensive mentoring session HERE.

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

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 2020.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Thank you to this week's sponsor, Invisalign.

Bright Smile Dental Coogee.

Listen to episode 115 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Ashlene Marshall - HERE.

Listen to Episode 131 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Hayley (Part 1) - HERE.

Listen to Episode 132 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Hayley (Part 2) - HERE.

Listen to Episode 133 - Sudden wife abandonment, with Hayley (Part 3) - HERE.

Listen to Episode 152 - Amy's single mum story, and the relationship with her husband that was a lie.

Listen to Episode 153 - Amy's single mum story, and the relationship with her husband that was a lie (Part 2).

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode of the Single Mother Survival Guide Podcast, I talk about how to get through your first Christmas as a single mum and tips on how to get through the day if you don't have the kids.

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Krystal was with her partner for seven years. They were inseparable. Krystal thought they were going to get married, have lots of children, and be together forever.

When her daughter was just three months old, and her son was a toddler she discovered her partner's secret - he was living a double life. And that is when her whole world was turned upside down.

This episode is a continuation from last week. In last week's episode, Krystal shared her story with us. In this week's episode, the story continues. We chat about the aftermath:

• How she lifted herself up again.
• Loving her body again.
• Still breastfeeding after everything she went through.
• Celebrating the little things.
• Dating and what she looks for in a new relationship.
• Grief and the importance of feeling the pain and not escaping from it.
• The importance of "me-time".
• Losing her faith and finding it again.
• How she separated herself from seeing her ex-partner as just that, and instead, seeing him as the father of her children.
• Confronting the other woman.
• Loneliness and self-soothing.
• Co-parenting.
• Experiencing the joy of being in her own presence.
• Her goals.
• Being open to experiences, having eyes wide open, and not seeing things as coincidences but rather as signs from the Universe.

Krystal talks about how she now sees what happened as a blessing. She also shares her advice for new single mums, as well as the best things about being a single mum. Krystal is a true inspiration, and it's so nice seeing her story end in such a positive way.

This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. Part 1 can be listened to HERE.

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Krystal met the man who would become the father of her children straight after she finished university. For seven years they were inseparable. They travelled together, they had a great relationship, they were in love. Krystal thought they were going to get married, have lots of children, and be together forever.

When Krystal was 25 she fell pregnant with her son. After he was born there was a shift in her relationship with her partner, something wasn't right. But she chose to give him the benefit of the doubt. Two years later she fell pregnant again, with her daughter.

When her daughter was just three months old, and her son was a toddler she discovered her partner's secret - he was living a double life. And that is when her whole world was turned upside down.

In this episode, Krystal shares her story. She talks about how she discovered her partner's infidelity, and how afterwards he openly continued his affair whilst she sat at home breastfeeding their baby and looking after their toddler. Krystal also shares how looking back, deep down, she knew of his affairs, but she didn't want to admit it to herself, and how dealing with the heartbreak and being a mum at the same time was the hardest thing she has ever experienced.

Krystal also talks about why setting boundaries with her ex was essential, how she worked three part-time jobs to support her children, accepting that her partner wouldn't change and letting go of that hope, riding the co-parenting roller coaster, and how therapy saved her life.

When Krystal discovered the affair, the thought of being a single mum terrified her. She had also become a woman who no longer recognised herself. But over time, she reconnected with the goal-driven go-getter, fun-loving, and independent woman that she used to be.

Krystal is a true inspiration.

This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Part 2 will be released next week.

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

In this episode, I answer some more questions sent in by listeners. These questions relate to:

• Overnights for young children with their dads when they haven't seen them for a while.
• What to do when your kids want to buy you Christmas/birthday presents but they are too young to organise this themselves.

Book in for an intensive mentoring session HERE.

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

When her daughter was six, Evie Farrell left her corporate job, packed up her house, and embarked upon a two and half year backpacking adventure travelling around the globe. Evie is a single mum, inspiring people all over the world to travel with their kids. She runs the travel blog and Instagram account Mumpack Travel and is the author of the book Backyard to Backpack.

In this episode, Evie chats about:

• Her relationship with her ex and how it came to end.
• Hanging on to hope in a bad relationship.
• How her ex leaving her was the best thing that happened for both her ex and her.
• How sometimes when a relationship ends, the people you thought were friends are lost, but how it can also lead to the rekindling of other friendships.
• What inspired her to leave Sydney and start travelling the world with her daughter Emmie.
• Homeschooling and travel.
• Getting robbed in Spain.
• Dealing with trolls.
• Dealing with different safety standards in foreign countries.
• How travelling changed her.
• How travelling taught her daughter about confidence, and how it has opened her mind to be accepting and aware of the world and different cultures and religions.
• Travelling with kids of different ages.
• Plus LOTS LOTS more.

Evie also shares her favourite thing about being a single mum and her advice for any single mum keen to travel with kids.

You will absolutely LOVE this episode and the inspiration that Evie provides.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Check out the Mumpack Travel travel blog HERE.
• Connect with Evie on Instagram here, and on Facebook here.
• Buy the book Backyard to Backpack HERE.

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.