The Family of One Child

By Foa

Where faith, family, and fun come together! I'm a wife, part-time working mum, and full-time believer in making the most of every joyful (and sometimes busy) moment. Join me as I share the highs, l

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FAQs about The Family of One Child:

How many episodes does The Family of One Child have?

The podcast currently has 78 episodes available.

The Family of One Child episodes:

March 17, 2026 What If Homework Is Really About The Heart
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Homework can show up at the worst possible time, right when everyone is tired and you can finally see bedtime. I’m Ruth, and I’m letting you into what homework really looks like in our only-child home: the after-school car check-in, the moments I’m trying not to yell, and the way one worksheet can flip the mood of an entire evening.

Our schedule has a wildcard, the barn. We drive 40 minutes to an hour each way so my nine-year-old can ride her pony Lola, and that commute changes everything. Sometimes I’m not browsing cute school folders, I’m in the car with a pillow and blanket trying to grab a nap. Add in showers, hay dust, dinner that might be a restaurant or might be McDonald’s, and you can see why homework feels like a tiny boss battle that appears out of nowhere. I also share why it often goes smoother with her dad in the car, and what happens on the rare nights homework gets “forgotten.”

Along the way, I read thoughts from other moms and reflect on what homework has taught me: how my daughter thinks, why teaching the “why” matters, and why knowing something doesn’t always mean you can teach it. We talk about taking breaks when emotions spike, finding each parent’s strengths, and building a teachable heart in our kids and in ourselves.

If you enjoyed this, subscribe, share it with a fellow parent, and leave a review so more moms can find the show. What time of day does homework actually work best in your family?
Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
22min
March 06, 2026 When Play Changes: Midlife Motherhood With An Only Child
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We face the honest sting of “You’re always tired” and unpack what it means to parent an only child while entering midlife. We trade guilt for grace and share how play can shift without losing love or connection.

• turning 50 as a lens on small moments
• the exhausting Saturday routine and the ask to play
• the heart-hit of “you don’t play like you used to”
• only child dynamics and the pressure to be “everything”
• stories from other moms and shared guilt
• reassurance that love stays as seasons change
• encouragement for moms to honor limits and find new rhythms

Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
25min
February 26, 2026 Raising An Only Child At 50
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Ever sit in a room where everyone’s milestones feel a mile ahead of yours? That’s where our story opens: friends swapping grandbaby cuddles and wedding plans while we’re checking a third-grade backpack and learning the newest dance challenge with sore shoulders and a full heart. It’s a moment that could spiral into comparison, or bloom into clarity about what really matters.

We talk candidly about raising an only child as we approach 50, managing fatigue, and choosing presence over performance when our bodies and calendars have limits. You’ll hear the funny, humbling saga of nailing a mom–daughter shoulder lift after days of practice, plus why pacing ourselves is not quitting, it’s protecting the joy. We share how tiny adventures become big memories: YouTube-fueled food hunts, rating MrBeast chocolate, and turning everyday errands into a sensory playground.

Beneath the stories runs a steady theme: your timeline isn’t a mistake.
If you’re craving a gentler pace, stronger bonds, and permission to love the season you’re actually in, this is your sign. Listen, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and tell us: what pressure are you ready to let go of this week? Subscribe, leave a quick review, and help more parents find a kinder way to grow.
Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
25min
February 18, 2026 Claiming The Role Model Spot
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This is Episode 3 of Season 4, and it begins with a moment I didn’t expect. A single comment from my husband at a celebrity meet-and-greet lit a fuse in my heart: Who gets to inspire our kids first? What started as a simple family outing opened into a deeper reflection on my identity as a newly minted mom to a three‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old, the power of language, and the fierce love that sits inside a parent. I share why that word “inspiration” mattered so much to me, and how I’m learning to live that out as a mom with an only child.
Press play, share this episode with a parent who needs encouragement, and tell us: What words or moments opened a heart‑to‑heart in your family? Subscribe and leave a review to help more families find the show.

Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
24min
January 22, 2026 Raising an Only Child: How We Build Their Village Without Siblings
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In this episode of The Family of One, we’re talking about something every “one and done” parent eventually bumps into: how do you build a community for your only child when some people assume siblings automatically fill that role?
We get into the honest stuff, the awkward park moments, the “mommy‑friend trap,” the pressure to have another baby, and the big myth that siblings guarantee lifelong friendship. Spoiler: they don’t.
Inside this episode, we chat about:
• what “Wing Mama Mode” looks like in real life
• why only children sometimes get left out at parks
• how to help your child find their people
• the difference between our friends and their friends
• why the “sibling guarantee” isn’t always correct
• choosing peace, presence, and depth as a one‑child family
I also give a shout‑out to listeners from Elkhart, Albion, Simsbury, Indianapolis, and Auckland, thank you for being here and being part of this little global circle.
If you’re raising an only child and building your village with intention, this episode will feel like a deep breath. You’re not behind. You’re not missing anything. You’re creating something beautiful on purpose.
Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
29min
January 13, 2026 Breaking the Ice: A Gentle Start to the Period Conversation
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I talk about the moment I realized my daughter was growing up and how her curiosity about feminine products nudged me toward preparing for the period conversation. I share stories from my own childhood, the experience of raising an only child, and why I wanted my daughter to feel prepared instead of confused. You’ll also hear real comments from other moms and the heart behind The Period Book Ice-Breaker Mom and Daughter Series.
In this episode, we talk about:
• How to ease into the period conversation without awkwardness
• Why early, gentle conversations matter
• The story behind creating The Period Book
• Encouragement for moms raising daughters in the pre‑teen years
• A special one‑time giveaway of nine signed copies
Giveaway details:
The first nine listeners who reach out with the message “The Period Book for me” and share what they enjoy about the podcast will receive a free signed copy. You can contact me through the email in the podcast description, Buzzsprout fan mail, or YouTube comments.
This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone, we’re figuring this out together, one honest conversation at a time.
Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
22min
December 23, 2025 Are Only Children Really Spoiled?
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In this episode of The Family of One Child, I take a real look at a question some parents of only children hear: “Are only children spoiled?” I break down the myth using comments from moms raising an only child, along with my own experiences raising my 8‑year‑old daughter.
I talk about how my husband and I are learning to set healthy boundaries and how we’re teaching our daughter responsibility and independence through everyday routines in our home. I also share the joys of raising one child and the unique closeness it brings to our family.
If you’re a one‑and‑done parent or raising an only child, this episode will help you feel supported, encouraged, and confident in the family you’re building
Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
21min
December 12, 2025 Perimenopause and Parenting Exhaustion
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Welcome back to The Family of One Child. In this episode, I dive into the reality of some midlife moms may face: the overlap of perimenopause and parenting exhaustion.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I so tired all the time? Is it just me, or do other moms feel this too?” you’re not alone. I share funny, real-life triathlon stories (yes, I did three in my late 30s before becoming a mama!) and highlight comments from other moms navigating perimenopause while raising kids.
Tune in for humor, honesty, and encouragement as I explore the challenges of midlife motherhood, parenting one child, and finding strength in shared stories.

Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
24min
December 03, 2025 The Heart of Parenting One
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Welcome back to The Family of One Child. Today I’m talking about the heart of parenting one, with love, with strength, and with honesty about the worries that come with it.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child will feel alone later in life, or felt guilty about them missing out on sibling bonds, you’re not alone. These are real, common fears many moms share.
But this episode isn’t about dwelling in guilt, it’s about naming those worries and finding encouragement together. Parenting one comes with unique challenges, but also unique joys.
🎧 Join me for a heartfelt conversation about love, resilience, and the reminder that your family story is enough, just as it is.
Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
23min
November 29, 2025 One and Done Parenting: My Story & Moms’ Perspectives
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In this episode of The Family of One Child, I share our personal journey of choosing to be “one and done.”
I also read comments from other moms, some that resonate with me, and others that offer a different lens. Together, I explore the joys, the worries, and the cultural pressure that often surrounds this choice.
This episode is about honoring your own path, tuning out judgment, and celebrating the fullness of raising one child with your whole heart.
Support the show
Loved this Family of One episode?
Subscribe and leave a 5‑star review on your favorite platform.
Share this with an only‑child mom to spread the joy — your support helps our community grow.
Free Resources:
Download your Free Village Resources at joyfulgatherspress.com
Books:
Get your copy of The Period Book (Ice‑Breaker Mom & Daughter Series):
https://a.co/d/dDCoYbA
Have a question or want to connect?
Email: [email protected]
By FOA Comment.
Music: “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact:
fhcUDjZGoDAHjeNJ6S3d
...more
37min

FAQs about The Family of One Child:

How many episodes does The Family of One Child have?

The podcast currently has 78 episodes available.