God Loves Single Moms: Practical Help for Finding Confidence, Strength, and Hope

by Teresa Whitehurst

Written by a psychologist who's successfully navigated single motherhood herself, this book helps single moms believe they and their families deserve the best life has to offer. Packed with practical tips, smart strategies, and ways to improve the well-being of single moms and their children, this book shows single moms how to improve their leadership and parenting skills. It tackles pressing issues such as self-care, a support network, organizing, finances, discipline, and more. Teresa Whitehurst reminds single moms that they don't need to be overwhelmed and that God loves them, is on their side, and wants to guide and support them every step of the way. While they may get weary, they need never feel alone.

190 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for the times. Definitely a book that most divorced moms should read. Often ostracized by their friends, family and church, a single mom finds herself wondering does anyone care? Even God? Teresa Whitehurst address this issue, in a timely book, that is easy to read and one that all single moms should read.

Beginning with the assertion that God does love single mothers, and on to a inventory check list to see how you take care of yourself and your view of yourself, Teresa Whitehurst covers the many facets and emotions that a single mom faces. She will discuss how to get organized, how to address your job, the bills and the everyday things of life. She also addresses the relationship between you and your child and your child's father.

A short book packed with vital information for single mothers, reminding them over and over that God does love them and He has not forgotten them. 182 pages 4 stars $11.99 US

Teresa Whitehurst is a clinical psychologist who provides counseling, and is also a career and personal life coach. She is also the author of How Would Jesus Raise Your Child? She is a single mom of two adult daughters and has two grandchildren.


This book was provided for review purposes only. No payment was received for this review.

[Poetic Diva504 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this helpful paperback on how to successfully navigate single motherhood while keeping your sanity. Single motherhood comes with so many social stigmas and financial woes, and l Teresa Whitehurt addresses these issues and so much more. No one chooses to be a single parent unless they’re rich and choose to adopt or get inseminated. Even those women are addressed in this manual I would recommend.

[Sam Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good strategies to remember and keep in the toolbox. I would have loved to see more references/stories/strategies that were relevant for solo moms. Those of us that don’t split time with someone. Overall good read and could find a way to apply to my life.

[Jacque B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and inspiring!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Teresa Whitehurst’s book, God Loves Single Moms, her subtitle says it all: ‘Practical Help for Finding Confidence, Strength, and Hope.’ I found Teresa’s book to be a concise, yet elaborate book on assisting single moms. Some of the areas she touches on are as follows:

* How to cultivate and embrace the necessary leadership skills as a single mom
* Surviving or Thriving questions to evaluate your attitude and expectations
* Setting short- and long-term goals for her personal and her family’s growth
* Finding the courage to ask for what she needs from others
* How to recognize her child’s physical, spiritual, and psychological needs
* Devising a behavioral plan for her children and effective ways to discipline, which includes tips for guiding your child toward good behavior and self-discipline
* Evaluate her financial situation and make plans for saving and money-management
* Learning to nurture her dreams for the future
* Becoming aware of any unrealistic expectations readers may be placing on themselves
* Identifying helpful vs. unhelpful guilt and worry
* Three tough questions your child may ask after divorce

I think one of the most important sections is “The Single Mother’s Inventory,” which Teresa incorporates throughout her book. Some of the sections include:

1. Your psychological, emotional, and physical health, as well as your energy level.
2. Your child care support network
3. Your relationship with your child, as well as their father
4. All about your child

Number four is so inclusive and intimate in learning about your child(ren)’s needs, personality, goals, dreams, etc. What a wonderful concept, single or two-parent household!

This book would be great for a single mom’s study group, a church group for single parents, or for people mentoring single moms. I could easily recommend this book to every single mom, but I wouldn’t stop there. This is a book that any household could use! It’s NOT just for single moms, but it is specially meant for them as they struggle without their mate in raising their children alone.

Teresa stresses the need for prayer, knowing that God is there to guide and assist, and includes a prayer at the end of each chapter. The Scripture references are pertinent to the subjects delineated. They are truth, and encourage the single mom to trust in God. I’d rate it a 4.9 out of 5.0!

This book was provided by Donna Hausler of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

[Kristina]

I'm not a single mom. That being said, I know quite a few and I appreciated this book because Teresa Whitehurst writes from her own experiences and has put together a great book for both single moms and groups who serve single moms. Written as an interactive book, this title is meant to not only be read and ingested by the reader, but also to be applied directly to their lives. As soon as you begin reading, there were principles and ideas that the reader could easily put into action. I appreciated this as books that talk about something that in theory would work, but are just not workable in real life are quite worthless. Don't worry, this book is well worth your time and effort.

I would recommend this book to any mom or pastor or small group leader who comes into contact with single mothers. This book not only provides insight into the world of a single mom, but also would allow those of us in a position to help, to put actions to our thoughts and actually provide relief to a single mom. Peppered with scripture and Biblical truth, this book has made a huge difference in the way I think.

Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

This book was received for review purposes from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Other than the copy of the text, I was in no way compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Chickadee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would make a wonderful gift for the single mom(s) in your life as they need all of the support and encouragement they can get! In fact, I personally found this book so inspiring, that I am giving my copy to a good friend who I know will be encouraged by this title.


The author, Teresa Whitehurst, writes from personal experience as a single mom who has “been there” and knows the challenges that moms doing it all on their own face. Often trying to be “Superwoman”, single moms usually forget to nurture themselves and this book is packed with both practical ideas and spiritual insights to help them do just that and not feel guilty about it.


The author includes advice and ideas on where to find support as a single mom, how to get organized, how to be financially responsible and how to handle behavior issues with the children. There is also a chapter on how to deal with what may be a tense situation with your child’s father.


I really like how this book also includes Scripture references, prayers and reminders to single moms that they are not alone. Single moms will be motivated to lean on God in the hard times and trust Him to help them.


Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


This book was provided free for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.