Single Parent Success Stories

What do children really need from their parents—and how can single parents raise resilient kids when they’re already exhausted, overwhelmed, and carrying so much on their own?

Parenting can come with constant questions. Am I doing enough? Am I handling this the right way? Will my children be okay?

Dr. Stan Block brings more than 43 years of experience as a pediatrician caring for children and families. He is also a father of four daughters, a grandfather, author, and longtime pediatric researcher.

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, Dr. Block joins Irina Shehovsov for a candid conversation about single parenting, raising healthy and resilient kids, positive parenting, discipline, teenagers, co-parenting, and what decades of working with families have taught him about what children truly need.

Together, they explore why children need to hear that they are loved, how parents can stay calm when emotions run high, and why listening can sometimes be more powerful than lecturing or trying to fix everything.

Dr. Block also discusses parenting without yelling or physical punishment, helping children reach their own potential rather than imposing our expectations on them, supporting teenagers through emotional ups and downs, and finding common ground with a co-parent when possible.

You’ll learn:

• Why children need to actually hear the words “I love you”

• How to stay calm when your child is angry, emotional, or overwhelmed

• Why parenting without yelling can help children listen differently

• How to support children without controlling their future

• Why teenagers still need love, acceptance, boundaries, and connection

• How to encourage boys who may have difficulty opening up

• Why listening matters when children are struggling

• How grandparents and other supportive adults can help single-parent families

• Why finding common ground in co-parenting can benefit your children

• How humor, patience, and perspective can help during difficult parenting seasons

One of Dr. Block’s simplest reminders comes from more than four decades of working with children:

Tell your children you love them.

Not only through what you do, but through the words themselves.

For single parents who sometimes wonder whether they are doing enough, this conversation is a reminder that parenting isn’t about creating a perfect childhood or controlling every outcome.

Your children need your love, guidance, boundaries, and presence.

And on the difficult days, sometimes being there is more powerful than getting everything right.

Connect with Dr. Stan Block:

🌐 Website:

slblockmd.com

📖 Pediatrics Around the Block: https://link.amazon/B0gltNTlN

Connect with Irina:

🌐 Website:

irinashehovsov.com

📚 Books:

Explore Irina’s books:

https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

Medical Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Single Parent Success Stories.

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, mental health, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Medical and parenting information discussed is general in nature and may not apply to your individual circumstances. Please consult a qualified healthcare or other appropriate professional regarding questions about your child’s health, development, behavior, or specific family situation.

↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

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What does a divorce attorney wish more parents understood before making decisions they may have to live with for years?

Divorce can change your relationship, finances, family—and the way your children experience their world.

Diana Romanov has seen divorce from several sides. She witnessed her parents’ difficult divorce and custody conflict beginning when she was six, later experienced divorce herself, and today works as a divorce attorney and Certified Family Law Specialist helping families navigate separation and conflict.

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, Diana joins Irina Shehovsov for a candid conversation about the legal, emotional, and parenting sides of divorce.

Together, they explore relationship patterns, people-pleasing, what children absorb during parental conflict, and why decisions made in anger today can have consequences years from now.

Diana also shares practical guidance on choosing a divorce attorney, navigating high-conflict situations, caring for yourself while parenting, and making decisions based on more than the emotions of the moment.

You’ll learn:

• What to look for when choosing a divorce attorney

• What children may absorb during parental conflict

• Why relationship patterns can repeat after divorce

• Why staying together “for the children” can be complicated

• How emotionally driven decisions can create future regret

• How self-care affects the way you show up as a parent

• Why compassion and strong boundaries can coexist

• Why divorce can be a chapter without becoming your whole story

One of Diana’s most important reminders is to think beyond today’s fight.

Your children may one day understand much more about what happened—and how their parents handled one of the hardest seasons of their lives.

And if life feels like it’s crashing right now, keep going.

This is a chapter. It isn’t the whole book.

Connect with Diana Romanov:

⚖️ Romanovska Law

romanovskalaw.com

📖 Divorce Like a Boss

dianaromanov.com

📱 Instagram:

@divorce_like_a_boss

Facebook:

@familylawcalifornia

Connect with Irina:

🌐 Website:

irinashehovsov.com

📚 Books:

Explore Irina’s books:

https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

Legal Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Single Parent Success Stories.

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or other professional advice. Legal information discussed is general in nature and may vary by jurisdiction. Please consult a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances. Nothing in this episode creates an attorney-client relationship.

↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

🎙️ Create studio-quality podcasts & videos with Riverside (affiliate link):

https://riverside.sjv.io/DWbW5q

What if making safer food choices for your family didn’t require hours of research—or finding out about a food recall after it was already too late?

For busy parents, especially single parents already carrying countless responsibilities, keeping up with food recalls, ingredients, health information, and changing food safety alerts can feel like one more thing to worry about.

Jordan Robinson understands that challenge from both sides. Raised by a hardworking single mom, he grew up watching her make decisions about the health and well-being of their family with limited time and resources. It wasn’t until Jordan became a father himself that he fully understood how much responsibility his mother had carried.

Those early experiences, combined with his background in cybersecurity and technology, eventually helped inspire Jordan to create Anxin, a food safety app designed to help individuals and families make safer, more informed food choices.

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, Jordan shares how his childhood shaped his mission and why he believes families need easier access to reliable food safety information. We explore what he calls the “transmission gap”—the time between a food safety issue or recall and when people actually hear about it—as well as the “confusion gap” created by conflicting health information, social media, advertising, and online opinions.

Together, we explore how technology can make food safety information easier to access, how parents can become more informed without adding more overwhelm to their lives, and why Jordan believes better information can lead to more confident decisions about what we put on our tables.

You’ll learn:

• Why food recalls can be easy for busy families to miss

• How parents can become more aware of food safety without constantly monitoring the news

• What Jordan calls the “transmission gap” in food safety information

• How conflicting health advice creates a “confusion gap” for consumers

• Why informed food choices can help parents make decisions with greater confidence

• How Jordan’s cybersecurity background influenced his approach to food safety

• How the Anxin app brings information from multiple sources together

• Why food insecurity became an important part of Jordan’s mission

• How the app helps users locate food banks in their communities

• What growing up with a single mom taught Jordan about sacrifice, resilience, and caring for a family

One of Jordan’s most meaningful reflections is that he didn’t fully recognize everything his mother was doing for him while he was growing up.

It took becoming a parent himself to understand the time, energy, and sacrifice behind the everyday choices she made.

That perspective now connects with a larger purpose: using the technology skills Jordan developed throughout his career to help individuals and families access information that can support safer food decisions.

Whether you’re a single parent trying to make healthy choices on a busy schedule, a parent concerned about food recalls and food safety, or simply someone who wants to feel more informed about the food you consume, this conversation offers a practical look at how better access to information can help families make more confident choices.

Connect with Jordan Robinson:

📱 Anxin — Food Safety for Your Family

Available on the iOS App Store and Google Play.

🎁 Special offer for Single Parent Success Stories listeners:

The first 25 listeners can receive an extended 90-day trial using coupon code:

SINGLEPARENT

📧 Contact Jordan:

[email protected]

Connect with Irina:

🌐 Website:

irinashehovsov.com

📚 Books:

Explore Irina’s books

↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):⁠https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina⁠

🎙️ Create studio-quality podcasts & videos with Riverside (affiliate link):⁠https://riverside.sjv.io/DWbW5q

What if confidence isn’t something children are born with—but something they can learn?

For single parents navigating divorce, separation, or major family changes, one of the biggest worries can be: How is this affecting my child?

Renaye Thornborrow believes children can develop the mindset skills they need to navigate change, build confidence, become more resilient, and eventually take responsibility for their own lives.

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, Renaye, founder of Adventures in Wisdom, shares how mindset coaching for kids can help children develop confidence, self-esteem, resilience, self-responsibility, and self-leadership from an early age.

Together, we explore why a child’s self-talk matters, how parents can help children develop empowering beliefs, and why preparing kids for adulthood sometimes means allowing them to make decisions, experience disappointment, and learn from their mistakes—without removing the love and support they need.

You'll learn:

• How to build confidence and self-esteem in children
• Mindset skills that can support kids through divorce and major life changes
• Why self-talk shapes what children believe about themselves
• How storytelling can help children develop emotional and mindset skills
• Why self-responsibility is so important when raising resilient kids
• How to let children make mistakes while still providing support
• Ways to encourage independence and better decision-making
• How phones and social media can affect children’s well-being
• What life coaching for kids looks like
• The difference between life coaching for children and counseling or therapy

One of Renaye’s most important parenting lessons is that ultimately, we are preparing our children to be on their own.

That doesn’t mean leaving them to figure everything out alone. It means gradually helping them take ownership of their thoughts, choices, responsibilities, and lives while knowing their family is still there to support them.

Whether you’re parenting after divorce, concerned about your child’s confidence or self-esteem, or simply want to raise confident, resilient children who are prepared for adulthood, this conversation offers practical insights and encouragement for starting young.

Connect with Renaye Thornborrow:

🌐 Adventures in Wisdom:
https://adventuresinwisdom.com/

Visit Adventures in Wisdom for parent resources, a free coaching story about self-talk, information about life coaching for kids, and a free checklist to help parents explore whether adding a coach to their parenting team may be helpful.

📘 A Parent’s Guide to Life Coaching for Kids: When to Add a Coach to Your Parenting Team

https://amzn.to/4g29po8

Connect with Irina:

🌐 Website:
https://www.irinashehovsov.com

📚 Books:
https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

🎙️ Create studio-quality podcasts & videos with Riverside (affiliate link):
https://riverside.sjv.io/DWbW5q

What happens when your body finally says, "Enough"?

After surviving a painful separation while raising three young children, Hailey Coleman found herself living in constant survival mode. Ignoring the warning signs of chronic stress eventually led to panic attacks, burnout, and a life-changing realization: your body isn't working against you—it's trying to protect you.

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, Hailey shares how learning to regulate her nervous system transformed her life and inspired her to help other overwhelmed women heal from chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout.

Together, we explore how nervous system dysregulation affects single parents, the physical signs of living in survival mode, and practical techniques to calm your mind and body before stress takes over.

You'll learn:

• How to recognize the signs of nervous system overload
• Why burnout often begins long before we notice it
• Simple nervous system regulation techniques you can use anywhere
• Why humming helps calm the stress response
• How self-care makes you a stronger parent—not a selfish one
• Ways to raise emotionally resilient children through healthy boundaries and regulation

Whether you're navigating divorce, parenting on your own, recovering from burnout, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, this conversation offers practical tools, hope, and encouragement to help you move from survival mode toward a calmer, more grounded life.

Connect with Hailey Coleman

🌐 Website: https://hailey-coleman.com/

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/live.empower/

🎁 Free Psychic Nervous System Reset Session:
https://calendly.com/hc-psychic-lifecoach/empoweredliving

Book Mentioned

Light Is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell:
https://amzn.to/4wuTPHs

Connect with Irina Shehovsov

🌐 Website: https://www.irinashehovsov.com

📚 Books: https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

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↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

Are you tired of yelling at your kids, constant power struggles, and feeling like nothing seems to work?

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, parenting coach Sue Donnellan shares practical positive parenting strategies to help you stop yelling, reduce conflict, and create a calmer, more cooperative home.

Drawing from her own journey as a self-described "reformed yeller," Sue explains how fight-free parenting, structured communication, and accountability can transform your relationship with your children. Instead of reacting in the heat of the moment, you'll learn how to prevent power struggles before they begin and build lasting trust with your kids.

Whether you're a single parent, navigating co-parenting, or simply looking for better parenting techniques, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start using today.

• How to stop yelling at your kids without feeling guilty
• Positive parenting strategies that reduce power struggles
• How to raise cooperative, responsible children
• Practical ways to prevent behavior problems before they start
• How to handle sibling conflict without escalating arguments
• Why curiosity and listening build stronger parent-child relationships
• The communication shift that creates a calmer, more peaceful home

If you're searching for practical parenting advice, positive discipline techniques, or simple ways to get your kids to listen without yelling, this conversation offers actionable tools to help your family thrive.

Connect with Sue Donnellan:

🌐 Website: https://askmomparenting.com

📖 Book: Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F*ck

https://amzn.to/4w8kDNp

📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@AskMomParenting

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/askmomparenting

📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/askmomparenting

Connect with Irina Shehovsov:

🎙️ Follow Single Parent Success Stories for weekly conversations on parenting, resilience, healing, and rebuilding after life's biggest challenges.

🌐 Website: https://www.irinashehovsov.com

📚 Books: https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

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↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

Can chronic stress and unresolved emotional pain affect your physical health?

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, Irina Shehovsov sits down with Deepak Chari, engineer, certified biofeedback specialist, and co-founder of the Chari Center of Health, to explore the powerful connection between chronic stress, childhood trauma, emotional healing, and long-term health.

Deepak shares the deeply personal story of losing his father to a heart attack at just 51 years old after years of living with chronic workplace stress. Growing up in a single-parent household after his father's sudden passing shaped his understanding of resilience, emotional well-being, and the importance of addressing unresolved stress before it impacts our health.

Together, they discuss how childhood experiences, bullying, grief, anxiety, and suppressed emotions can influence our lives for decades—and why emotional healing is essential for both parents and children.

In this episode, you'll discover:

How chronic stress affects your physical and emotional health

The connection between childhood trauma and adult well-being

Why unresolved emotions don't simply disappear

The impact of grief, bullying, and emotional suppression

Practical strategies for managing stress and regulating your nervous system

A simple breathing technique to reduce anxiety and emotional overwhelm

Advice for single parents raising emotionally resilient children

How healing yourself can help break generational patterns

Whether you're navigating life after loss, raising children on your own, recovering from childhood trauma, or simply looking for healthier ways to manage stress, this conversation offers hope, practical tools, and encouragement for your healing journey.

Guest: Deepak Chari

Connect with Deepak:

https://www.fastanxietyhelp.com

Join Reclaim Your Life Book Launch Support Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rylbook

🌐 https://www.irinashehovsov.com

📚 Explore Irina's books:

https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

🔗 All Links:

https://linktr.ee/irina089

_____________________________

↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

What is it like growing up between divorced parents?

Jennifer Pilates shares her experience as a child caught in the middle of divorce, the lasting impact of parental conflict, and the lessons she wishes more parents understood. Together, we explore childhood resilience, emotional healing, co-parenting, nervous system regulation, and what children carry into adulthood when family relationships become complicated.

This episode is for single parents, co-parents, adult children of divorce, and anyone committed to breaking unhealthy family patterns and creating a healthier future for the next generation.

🔗 Connect With Jennifer Pilates:

Website: http://jenniferpilates.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpilates/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejenniferpilates/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.pilates.1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkhV033DQEauG2X9AKs7mLA

📖 Explore Irina’s books:

https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

☕ Support this podcast: https://account.venmo.com/u/Irina-Shehovsov

🔔 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@happinessacademy_

#ChildrenOfDivorce #DivorceAndChildren #CoParenting #SingleParentSupport #ParentingAfterDivorce #ChildhoodTrauma #EmotionalHealing #AdultChildrenOfDivorce #Resilience #SingleParentSuccessStories

_____________________________

↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

Many people believe they're bad with money.

They think they lack discipline, make poor decisions, or simply aren't good at managing finances. But what if the real problem isn't money at all?

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, financial therapist and Certified Financial Planner Jennifer Edwards explores the deeper emotional and psychological factors that shape our relationship with money. From financial shame and limiting beliefs to nervous system regulation and childhood experiences, Jennifer explains why so many people feel stuck financially—and how to begin creating lasting change.

Together, we discuss how subconscious money beliefs influence financial behavior, why stress can sabotage financial decisions, and practical tools for rebuilding financial confidence with compassion instead of self-criticism.

Whether you're a single parent navigating financial pressure, recovering from a major life transition, or simply looking to improve your relationship with money, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical steps toward greater financial wellness.

In This Episode:

• Why financial shame develops and how to overcome it

• The connection between money mindset and financial behavior

• How childhood experiences shape money beliefs

• Why nervous system regulation matters for financial decisions

• Common limiting beliefs that keep people financially stuck

• A powerful exercise to uncover subconscious money patterns

• Practical ways to build financial confidence and self-trust

About Jennifer Edwards

Jennifer Edwards is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Financial Therapist who helps individuals understand the emotional, relational, and behavioral forces shaping their financial lives. Through her Seven-Layer Financial Wellness Framework, she empowers people to move beyond shame and build healthier, more confident relationships with money.

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: https://www.breakthroughfinancialwellness.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-edwards-cfp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btfinancialwellness/

If this episode resonates with you, please follow, rate, and share Single Parent Success Stories to help more parents discover hope, resilience, and practical tools for rebuilding life after major transitions.

📖 Explore Irina’s books:

https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

☕ Support this podcast: https://account.venmo.com/u/Irina-Shehovsov

#MoneyMindset #FinancialShame #FinancialWellness #PersonalFinance #FinancialTherapy #MoneyBeliefs #FinancialConfidence #SingleParentSuccessStories #FinancialAnxiety #relationshipwithmoney

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↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina

Divorce is one of life's most difficult transitions—but it doesn't have to destroy your family.

In this episode of Single Parent Success Stories, Irina Shehovsov sits down with family law attorney and collaborative divorce professional Manisha Patel to discuss a different approach to separation—one that prioritizes children, reduces conflict, and helps families move forward with greater peace and stability.

Manisha explains how collaborative divorce and mediation can provide alternatives to costly courtroom battles, why children should never be placed in the middle of parental conflict, and how parents can make decisions that support their family's long-term wellbeing.

Whether you're considering divorce, navigating separation, dealing with custody concerns, or looking for healthier ways to move through a family transition, this conversation offers practical guidance, emotional reassurance, and hope.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What collaborative divorce is and how it differs from litigation

• Why protecting children emotionally should be every parent's top priority

• Common mistakes parents make during separation

• How divorce impacts children long after the legal process ends

• The benefits of mediation and alternative dispute resolution

• Why divorce doesn't end your parenting relationship

• How to reduce stress, conflict, and unnecessary trauma

• Practical steps for creating a more peaceful path forward

Manisha also shares insights from her upcoming book, End Your Marriage Peacefully, and explains why understanding your options can help families make more informed decisions during one of life's most challenging seasons.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or worried about the future, this episode is a reminder that there is another way—and that even difficult endings can become the foundation for healthier new beginnings.

#DivorceSupport #CollaborativeDivorce #SingleParentSuccessStories #DivorceRecovery #CoParenting #FamilyLaw #ParentingAfterDivorce #Resilience #podmatch #singleparents

🔗 Connect With Manisha Patel:

https://www.lawofficeofmpp.com

📖 Explore Irina’s books:

https://www.irinashehovsov.com/mybooks

☕ Support the podcast

https://account.venmo.com/u/Irina-Shehovsov

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↗️ Join PodMatch to find podcast guests or become a guest (affiliate link):

https://www.joinpodmatch.com/irina