Afraid of Being a Single Parent? Read This.

How walking through fear, heartbreak, and sacrifice as a single parent revealed deeper confidence, peace, and a new sense of purpose.

I became a single parent before my daughter turned one year old. At the time, I had no idea this decision would completely transform me from the inside out. What began as a season filled with uncertainty became the catalyst for the richest and most transformative experience of my life. Now, looking back over the past eight years, I can truly appreciate how the challenges, quiet victories, and even the heartbreaks gave me gifts no one can ever take away: confidence, wisdom, resilience, and a deep sense of healing and peace.

The Battle that Changed Everything

I hired a lawyer right away. My daughter was just five months old when I had to leave. What I thought would be a step toward clarity, stability, and safety for both of us quickly became a lengthy, costly legal battle that nearly destroyed me—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. After years of going in circles, I was forced to learn how to advocate fiercely for myself and my daughter. When it felt like the system was stacked against me, I learned how to stack my own deck. Those years tested me and taught me lessons no university education ever could.

Sacrifice and a Higher Calling

Before becoming a mother, I spent 22 years as a Professional Stunt Performer and Precision Driver for film and television. I had fought hard for that career—with discipline, dedication, and grit. I planned to keep working, but single parenthood made it nearly impossible. The physical demands, travel, and long hours on set were unpredictable and exhausting. I wanted my daughter to have a consistent parent—me—not a nanny. Walking away from film was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but it opened the door to a new path and a higher purpose.

Confidence: No Longer Afraid to Eat Alone

After my separation, my spirit was shattered, and doubt became my shadow. Could I really do this alone? Could I give my child the life she deserved? Could I keep a roof over our heads and food on the table when, these days, even two incomes are barely enough? When I left my daughter’s father and paid my lawyer, I had just $100 left in my bank account. But day after day, I showed up. I paid the bills, I handled the nighttime feedings, I soothed the tears—sometimes my own—and made decisions that mattered. Slowly, confidence became part of me. I began to recognize what I brought to the table—both figuratively and literally—and I was no longer afraid to eat alone.

Wisdom: A Bird’s Eye View

Being a single parent sharpened my perspective. I learned to see what truly mattered—and what simply wasn’t worth my time or energy. The big house and fancy things lost their appeal. I started valuing quality over quantity in friendships, opportunities, and how I spent my time. Life became less about “doing it all” or “having it all,” and more about doing and having what actually aligned with my values.

Resilience: Becoming Unbreakable (Even When I Felt Broken)

There were days when exhaustion—both mental and physical—brought me to tears, but I’d still lie awake wondering how I’d make it through. How would I pay the rent next week? How would I find care for my daughter so I could take that job? Still, I kept going. Whether the challenge was financial, personal, logistical, or physical, I faced each one. I started to remind myself how much I was overcoming and began to feel my strength. Resilience grew from meeting each hardship head-on and leaning on my resourcefulness and discipline to find a way forward.

Healing: Facing My Past Trauma to Create a Brighter Future

Single parenthood forced me to take a hard, honest look at myself. I had to confront the traumas and wounds I’d long avoided. If I didn’t do the work, I knew I’d pass those wounds on to my daughter. Evicting the skeletons from my closet wasn’t easy. Some days felt so heavy I could literally feel my heart breaking. But little by little, with the support of a trusted therapist, I began to unravel the pain and work through it. I learned healthier ways to show up for myself and my daughter—what and who to cut ties with, how to stand firm with boundaries, and most importantly, how to seek out and hold onto what’s good for me. The process didn’t just change me—it changed the legacy I’m leaving for my daughter.

The Gift of These Years

My journey as a single parent led me somewhere I never expected: to become a Divorce Coach and Family Mediator. Eight years of walking this path taught me that strength isn’t always loud—sometimes it’s quiet, like a daisy growing through a crack in the sidewalk. Wisdom sometimes comes dressed as mistakes. Healing is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your children.

Without the past eight years, I wouldn’t have the wisdom or openness to receive all that I have now. I never imagined I’d find this kind of peace. Every challenge has forged me into the woman I am today. Life is hard, but it’s what you do—and how you show up—in those dark moments that define you.