Searching for Sanity AND a Giveaway!

There’s a new book in town and you’re going to want to get it. Searching for Sanity- 52 Insights from Parents of the Bible is a year-long companion for any mom in need of some wisdom and encouragement.  I guess that makes ALL OF US, right?

I’m so grateful to be able to share this with you! It’s ONLY .99 cents all this week!

Author, Lindsey Bell, inspires mothers to take a peek into the lives of parents of the Bible to catch a glimpse at just how God desires us to raise our own children.

Each day begins with a light devotion (geared for busy moms) highlighing a special character in the Bible, along with questions to promote communication (Great for girlfriends to use as a study.) as well as prayers and weekly activities.

Lindsey is here today to serve a slice of encouragement to single moms. I, myself have been a single mom, so her words hit close to home. Sure wish I’d had this book twenty-two years ago when I started this mom-journey.  At the end of her post don’t forget to enter the giveaway she’s included just for YOU. 

Please be so kind and share this on your own social media. Let’s help Lindsey get the word out about this amazing book!

Dear Single Mom, by Lindsey Bell

Single moms have a hard job. They are wearing the shoes of two parents, trying to fill the role of not just mom, but also dad.

I’m amazed by what single moms are able to accomplish in a day, and honestly, they don’t get enough credit.

So this post is for you, single mother.

This post is for you…the mom who never feels like she is doing enough for her children…the mom who beats herself up because she can’t provide a father for her kids…the mom who wants to be there for everything, but can’t because she has to work.

You might not give yourself much credit for what you do on a daily basis, but I do. You are amazing.

I’m not a single mom, but I know plenty of women who are. After talking with them and asking what tips they would give another single mom, here is what they said:

Tips for Single Moms:

1. Appreciate what you have instead of focusing on what your life is lacking.

This goes for all of us, not just single moms. It’s so easy to focus on what we lack instead of what we’ve been given. Unfortunately, when we focus on what’s missing, we miss what we have.

2. Be happy with yourself instead of looking for a man (or anything else, for that matter) to make you happy.

The key to being happy with yourself, I’ve found, is to find your identity in Christ. Let him make you whole instead of looking to someone (or something) else to fill that void in your life.

3. Raise your kids in church and around godly men.

This is especially important if your children’s father is not a positive example in their lives. Surround your kids with positive role models, both male and female. Maybe even ask a godly man in your life (a friend or family member) to allow your children to tag along with his family on occasion. Just because your kids don’t have a father in their home doesn’t mean they can’t have a father figure in their lives.

4. Trust God with your life and with the lives of your children.

God loves your children even more than you do, and He will be a dependable Father for them at all times.

5. Take guilt-free time away from the kids.

And don’t just do this for errands. Get a pedicure. Exercise. Get dinner with friends. Do something you love, something that will renew your spirit and encourage you.

6. Build relationships with those who care for your child.

Look to these men and women as resources or sounding boards. These people know (and hopefully love) your child and can help you when issues arise.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends.

Make your needs known to those around you, because they can’t help you if they don’t know how to help.

8. Work to co-parent as best you can.

This is hard when the other parent is drastically different than you, but it’s important for the sake of the kids to do this as smoothly as possible. Avoid speaking poorly of the other parent. Be respectful of your ex. Allow your child to talk about his or her other parent, and don’t discourage any positive feelings toward him.

9. Take care of yourself.

Get some sleep. Exercise. Eat meals (not just scraps). When you parent 24/7, it’s easy to let your own health fall by the wayside. Don’t do it!

10. Teach your children about money and about depending on God for what you need.

It’s tempting as a single mom to rely only on yourself. Let your kids see you rely on God for what you need, and they, in turn, will learn to rely on God too.

11. Remember…God is your Maker and your Husband.

You can depend on Him, even when everyone else lets you down.

12. Give yourself some credit.

Being a single mom is hard, so cut yourself some slack. Don’t fall into the guilt trap. Instead, believe in yourself and in the future God has for you.

13.  Cut your schedule as needed.

Be realistic about the things you sign up for. You are only one person, and you can’t do everything.

14. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to fill your child’s life with “stuff” to make up for the absence of a father.

First of all, stuff can’t fill the shoes of a person. And second, you probably don’t have a ton of extra money to spend on stuff anyway.

15. Be his mom.

Dr. Kevin Leman says this well in his book What a Difference a Mom Makes: “You’re your son’s mom. You’re not his dad. Try to be both and you’ll fail miserably…But be his mom and work on keeping a heart connection with him, and you’ll earn his respect and his love for the rest of his life” (205).

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Lindsey is giving away 1 copy of her new parenting devotional called Searching for Sanity every week until May 11^th! Use the Rafflecopter form in this post to enter to win. Then, check her blog every week to find a new giveaway!

Let’s Talk: What other tips would you add to this list?

 

************RAFFLECOPTER–ENTER HERE: GIVEAWAY!****************

 

About Lindsey Bell:

Lindsey Bell is the author of Searching for Sanity: 52 Insights from the Parents of the Bible. She’s also a stay-at-home mother of two, minister’s wife, avid reader, and chocolate lover. You can find Lindsey online at any of the following locations:

Her blog: www.lindsey-bell.com

Her website: www.lindseymbell.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LindseyMBell

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLindseyBell

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/LindseyMBell01

About Searching for Sanity:

Have you ever looked at your beloved children and wondered, what in the world am I doing? Why did God trust me—of all people—to raise them?

Motherhood is the most difficult job many of us will ever take. Searching for Sanity offers moms an opportunity to take a breath, dig into the Word, and learn from parents of the past. In short devotions designed for busy moms, this book uses the parents of the Bible—both the good and the bad—to inspire today’s mothers.

*A version of this post first appeared on Lindsey’s blog.