Raising My Tribe: Life as a Single Mom to Three Boys (While Battling a Rare Illness)
When people ask how I did it...
They often can’t believe it. Three boys. On my own. And while living with a rare illness that some days made it nearly impossible to get out of bed. But this is our story—raw, real, and rooted in resilience.
Living with Hemiplegic Migraines
I live with a rare neurological condition called Hemiplegic Migraines. Unlike regular migraines, these attacks can mimic the symptoms of a stroke—partial paralysis, slurred speech, intense fatigue, and confusion. At its worst, I couldn’t drive, walk without help, or even speak clearly.
Some mornings, I physically couldn’t get my boys to school. I felt like I was failing them… but I wasn’t. I was surviving—and that matters.
A Fractured Family & Supervised Visits
Their father struggled with severe drug addiction, and because of his instability, any visits had to be strictly supervised. Explaining this to my boys was heartbreaking. They didn’t understand why they couldn’t have sleepovers at dad’s house or why visits felt so controlled.
It chipped away at their emotional stability—and mine. I carried the weight of trying to protect their childhood from a reality I couldn’t change.
When the System Fails, We Pivot
Eventually, I noticed changes. My boys were anxious. Depressed. Withdrawn. The trauma of our home life was showing in their behavior—and the public school system didn’t understand.
They labeled my boys as “troublemakers,” when what they really needed was compassion and support. So I made a difficult but life-changing decision:
I pulled two of my boys out of public school and began homeschooling.
Homeschooling Through Pain, With Purpose
Some days, homeschooling meant worksheets in bed. Other days, it meant nature walks instead of math drills. It wasn’t about checking boxes—it was about healing.
I taught them their lessons, yes—but also taught them how to listen to their bodies, talk about their emotions, and understand that it’s okay to struggle.
We created our own rhythm, one that worked around my illness and their emotional needs. And in that space, they slowly began to thrive.
We Became a Team
Our home was loud, chaotic, messy—and full of love.
We learned to lean on each other. My boys became my helpers when I was down. And I became their safe space when the world felt too overwhelming. We weren’t perfect, but we were deeply connected.
Now that they’re grown, I look at them and see the strength born from struggle.
They are kind. Empathetic. Emotionally intelligent. And fiercely protective of the woman who raised them.
If You’re a Single Mom Reading This...
Please know:
You are doing better than you think.
Your love matters more than your limitations.
It's okay to rest, adapt, and choose what works for your family.
There is no shame in changing the plan. Whether it's supervised visits, homeschooling, or calling in help—you are not failing. You are fiercely surviving.
Final Words
This life isn’t easy. But it’s real. It’s raw. It’s filled with moments of quiet triumph—like your child smiling again, or finally sleeping through the night without fear.
I didn’t raise my boys in the most traditional way. But I raised them with heart. With honesty. And with every ounce of strength I had left in me.
And if you’re in the thick of it right now, mama…
Keep going. You’re raising warriors too.
