Isabelle Silbery is my guest on this week’s episode. Isabelle stars in Gogglebox (7.30pm Wednesdays on Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel and Thursdays 8.30pm on Channel Ten) and is, of course, an amazing single mum. 

This is Part two of a two-part series. In Part 1 (episode 136) Isabelle chatted with me about the relationship she had with her ex-husband and how it ended. Isabelle fell madly in love early on in the relationship with her ex-husband and the relationship moved forward quite quickly. Her wedding was the fairytale she could only ever imagine. And soon after they had a beautiful little boy. Red flags started showing when her son was quite young. But it was a huge shock when her husband told her that he didn't love her anymore. But despite that, and to her surprise, he wanted to stay in the relationship with her. Isabelle eventually found the strength to ask him to leave because she knew she deserved to be in a mutually loving relationship, not only for herself but also for her son and the relationship she wanted to model for him. 

Isabelle and I talked about how the relationship evolved and eventually ended, what it was like for her having an unsupportive partner, how she dealt with the break-up, and so much more. 

In this episode (Part 2) we talk about:

• How life changed for Isabelle as a single mum and what her co-parenting situation looked like in the early days.
• How she dealt with being a single mum in the early days.
• Getting past the shame of being a single mum, being open and honest about her emotions, and how her village helped support her.
• How she dealt with her ex moving on so quickly.
• How she deals with co-parenting now and about the relationship she has with her ex now.
• How giving to others is a form of self-care for Isabelle and how it's helped her find her identity again and her purpose.
• Making the most of child-free time, and embracing it.
• Isabelle's advice for new single mums.
• Benefits of becoming a single mum.
• What’s in store for the future.
• So much more!

Isabelle is such a kind, genuine, beautiful, giving and inspiring woman. This episode is a MUST LISTEN!

Julia x

Links mentioned in the episode:

Listen to Part 1 (Episode 136) here.

Connect with Isabelle on Instagram here.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Sign up to the FREE 30-day "Get Your Sparkle Back" Challenge HERE. 

Visit the website - Single Mother Survival Guide. 

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

Isabelle Silbery is my guest on this week’s episode. Isabelle stars in Gogglebox (7.30pm Wednesdays on Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel and Thursdays 8.30pm on Channel Ten) and is, of course, an amazing single mum. 

This is Part 1 of a two-part series, and in this episode, we chat about Isabelle's journey of becoming a single mum.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Isabelle on Instagram here.

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Find out more about the Don't Just Survive, THRIVE online program for single mothers to get empowered here.

Visit the website - Single Mother Survival Guide. 

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

In this week's episode, I answer the following question sent in by a listener:

"Julia! Sorry for the personal message but I’m going out of my mind. My son is 5 months old, and my partner left when I was 5 months pregnant. Almost a year ago. He sees his son once a month for a couple of hours. I’m still devastated. I was diagnosed with PTSD and PND, and I am finding single parenting so overwhelming. I even feel regretful and resentful some days. I love my son, but I just want my partner to come back and share the experience with me. I find motherhood so so lonely, even with the support of my family. Please share some words of wisdom on how on earth you cope, keep smiling and stay so positive. I look at yourself and your daughter as complete inspiration. I am sick of feeling sad and grieving the loss of a “family” ideal. I pictured holidays together, days on the beach, dinner as a family... it’s all gone and I find it so daunting. Thanks for listening. Xx"

Spoiler alert: I don't always have it together! But I know how to snap out of my low moments because of some key strategies I use. And these strategies usually keep me very happy and positive too. Take a listen :)  

Links mentioned in the episode:

Listen to Episode 088 - Goal setting for single mums HERE.

Listen to Episode 002 - Why you need your single mum tribe HERE.

Sign up to the Don't just Survive, THRIVE online program for single mothers to get empowered HERE. 

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. 

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

Sara Lingenfelter is a single mum and the founder and owner of Virtual Biz Partner, which provides business management for online business owners worldwide. She is also dedicated to providing work-from-home opportunities to women through an accessible online educational course that teaches them how to get started as a Virtual Assistant. 

Sara is one strong woman; she has been through a lot and got out the other side. She met her ex-husband when he was a single father. When they decided to have a baby of their own and she got pregnant, she saw a very addictive side of his personality that she hadn't seen before. What started off as small amounts of regular alcohol consumption for him, over the years, turned into heavy daily drinking. Then came a video game addiction, and eventually, it was drugs. He lost his job and also got the family into huge amounts of debt. Sara was raising their son and his older children, whilst trying to pay for everything and covering mortgage repayments on two houses. 

In this episode, Sara shares her single mum story with us. She shares how she got herself out of the situation and started her own business and got life back on track. She talks about what it's really like having your own business and navigating being a single parent. And she gives her tips on the business/single parent life juggle. 

Sara is not only a kick-ass single mother and woman but she's a phenomenal businesswoman who wants to teach other mums to do the same so that they can work for themselves and support their families with the same flexibility that she has. This is a must listen for anyone who has a dream to work for themselves.

 Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Sara on Facebook, Instagram, or Linked In. 

Use the discount code SINGLEMOM19 to get 25% off either of the below VA training courses:

• 31 day VA Course
• The 6-month Virtual Assistant Training program

Vote for the Single Mother Survival Guide podcast in the Australian podcast Awards HERE. Thank you <3

To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.

For information about the single parent mentoring programs available with Julia, visit Single Mother Survival Guide Mentoring and E-Courses.

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. 

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