483 - Navigating family gatherings during the holidays
Release Date: 12/02/2025
499 - Why co-parenting triggers you more than your marriage did
Single Mother Survival Guide
In this episode, I’m talking about co-parenting and why it can feel so triggering - sometimes even more than when you were in the relationship. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is he still affecting me?” or felt frustrated that one text message can shift your entire mood, this conversation is for you. I explain why co-parenting is such a uniquely complex dynamic - distance without disconnection, responsibility without emotional safety - and why your reactions don’t mean you’re failing or not healed. Co-parenting is hard, and if you’re feeling activated, there’s a reason for that....
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498 - You’re not broken, you’re in transition
Single Mother Survival Guide
In this episode, I’m talking to the single mum who’s quietly wondering, “What is wrong with me?” If you’ve been feeling more emotional, more exhausted, or less able to cope than you used to, this is for you. I share the important difference between change and transition, and why feeling disoriented or overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re broken. It may simply mean you’re in transition. And that’s something we need to talk about. Links mentioned in the episode: Download the E-book, I'm A Single Mum... Now What? - Click to learn more about the Trauma coaching...
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497 - The invisible shock of separation (even if you chose it)
Single Mother Survival Guide
In this episode, I talk about the invisible shock that can follow separation, even when you were the one who chose it. There’s a myth that if you initiated the breakup, you should only feel relief. But separation is still a loss, a rupture, and a nervous system shock. Mixed emotions like grief, sadness, confusion, and relief can exist at the same time, and that doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision. I explore why your body and emotions don’t always process separation logically, and how it can impact your sense of safety, identity, and the future you imagined. If you’ve ever wondered...
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496 - Why you don’t actually need to ‘be strong’ right now
Single Mother Survival Guide
This week, I wanted to have an honest conversation about something we hear a lot as single mums - “You’re so strong.” While it’s often meant as a compliment, I want to explore why that phrase can sometimes feel like a burden rather than support. When you’re juggling work, parenting, co-parenting, emotional stress, and maybe even a hostile ex, being told "you’re strong” can quietly reinforce the idea that you have to keep holding it all together, no matter how exhausted or drained you feel inside. In this episode, I talk about why you don’t actually need to be strong right now,...
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495 - Divorce transition and how to get through it
Single Mother Survival Guide
When we go through a separation or divorce, it’s not just the end of a relationship; it’s the unraveling of almost every part of our lives. Our routines shift, our finances change, our plans for the future are rewritten, and our sense of identity can feel completely shaken. Everything we thought life would look like suddenly flips upside down, and the impact of that runs far deeper than most people realise. In this episode, I’m talking about why separation feels so overwhelming, especially for single mums who are often trying to process life-changing emotional pain while also holding...
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494 - Healthy habits for women in their 40s
Single Mother Survival Guide
Your 40s can be a season of transition - physically, emotionally, and hormonally. In this episode, we talk about how to work with your body rather than against it. You’ll learn why awareness is the key to navigating this stage with confidence, how to adapt your habits to support your changing body, and why prevention and self-care matter more than ever. Links mentioned in the episode: To support this episode, I’ve created a free guide -- a simple, practical resource to help you feel stronger, calmer, and more in tune with your body. Download your free guide and start feeling...
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493 - Dating again as a mum - What’s different (and how to stay true to you)
Single Mother Survival Guide
Dating as a mum is a completely different world compared to dating before kids. It’s not just about chemistry anymore; it’s about compatibility, respect, and the kind of energy someone brings into your life (and potentially, your children’s). In this episode, we’re diving into the realities of dating as a single mum - the emotional hurdles, the practical challenges, and the powerful growth that comes with approaching love from a new perspective. Links mentioned in the episode: To go with this episode, I’ve created a free guide designed to help you date with clarity,...
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492 - The emotional rollercoaster of sending your child to school or high school
Single Mother Survival Guide
Today’s episode is all about the emotional rollercoaster that comes with sending your child off to school - whether it’s their very first day in kindy, their start in high school, or another big transitional year. While we’re busy sorting uniforms, stationery, lunchboxes, and the endless school admin, there’s a whole other layer happening quietly underneath: our emotions. For mums (especially single mums or those navigating complex co-parenting), this transition can feel huge. You might feel proud one moment and teary the next, excited but anxious, or completely overwhelmed by the...
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491 - The Confidence Rebuild
Single Mother Survival Guide
Rebuilding confidence as a single mum after big life changes can be incredibly difficult. But here’s the truth: confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you rebuild, one small step at a time. In this episode, I share five gentle yet powerful steps to help you reconnect with your confidence and sense of self. You’ll learn how to acknowledge where you really are (without pretending you’re fine), how to reconnect with what makes you you, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you higher. We also talk about how to shift your inner...
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490 - Designing your best year yet (even as a busy single mum)
Single Mother Survival Guide
As single mums, it’s so easy to start the new year feeling like we need to do more - being more productive, achieving more, earning more... But what if your “best year yet” wasn’t about doing more… but feeling more? More joy, more peace, more confidence?... In this episode, we’ll take a step back and reflect before we reset. You’ll be guided through gentle self-reflection questions to help you understand what’s working in your life, what’s draining your energy, and what truly matters most to you this year. Because creating your best year starts with clarity. Let’s make this...
info_outlineThe holiday season is often seen as a time of warmth and togetherness, but for many single mums, family gatherings can feel overwhelming. From navigating tense dynamics to addressing old conflicts, these moments can bring up anxiety or discomfort. In this episode, we’ll share practical tips to help you approach holiday gatherings with grace, confidence, and strategies that prioritise your well-being and your children's happiness. Let’s turn family time into an opportunity for connection, not stress.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Feeling anxious about upcoming holiday gatherings? Click HERE to download our free resource guide for practical tips on navigating tricky family dynamics with confidence and ease.
Download the E-book, I'm A Single Mum... Now What? - HERE
Click HERE to learn more about the Trauma coaching and support group program.
Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.
Click HERE to join the free Facebook Group, The Single Mother Survival Guide Support Forum.
Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.
To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.
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