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Soccer has been part of Sara's life for as long as she can remember, thanks to a dad who grew up playing in the streets of Egypt and passed his love of the game down to the next generation. This World Cup, that story continues as her four-year-old son begins to truly discover the sport that has connected their family for decades. In this episode, Sara reflects on building traditions as a solo parent, the patience it takes to share the things we love with our children, and the unexpected joy of watching one lifelong passion become something that three generations enjoy together. Whether you're a soccer fan or not, this is ultimately a story about family, connection, and the little moments that become part of a family's legacy. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

We've all heard the phrase: It takes a village to raise a child. But after four years of motherhood, Sara’s come to believe something else is true: It takes a village to raise a mom, too. In this episode, Sara reflects on the people who helped shape her long before she became a parent, the friends and family who support her through solo motherhood, and the village that continues to lift her up and celebrate alongside her. This is a love letter to the people holding the flashlight when the path feels dark — and a reminder that none of us were meant to do this alone. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Today Sara discusses something she never realized she'd miss quite so much: going to the bathroom by herself. As a solo parent, there isn't another adult waiting in the wings when Sara needs a few minutes alone. And while she loves the close bond she shares with her son, she's also come to appreciate how much the bathroom represents more than just a functional space. Sometimes it's privacy. Sometimes it's self-care. Sometimes it's the closest thing to solitude available. From transparent shower curtains and monster trucks rolling in, to potty training, poop jokes, and the surprisingly complicated relationship between privacy and parenting, this episode explores one of the least glamorous realities of raising a small child. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Before Sara became a human mom, she was a dog mom. In this deeply personal episode, Sara reflects on the 15 years she spent with Jasmine — the Havanese who quietly helped prepare her for solo motherhood long before her son arrived. What began as companionship slowly became something much bigger: practice in nurturing, responsibility, consistency, and building a life around caring for another being. Sara shares what it was like navigating solo pregnancy with Jasmine by her side, the emotional whiplash of welcoming a new baby while simultaneously preparing to say goodbye to her first one, and the grief she never fully had time to process while solo parenting a newborn. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Before becoming a solo mom by choice, a social worker encouraged Sara to think about the “family story” she would someday tell her child — how their family came to be and what it all means. Four years later, she still hasn’t written the perfect storybook, script, or polished explanation she imagined she’d need. But somewhere along the way, her son quietly showed her something important: maybe children understand family better than adults do. In this episode, Sara talks about the pressure to get it all “right,” why she thinks her son has never asked where his dad is, the beautiful way children define family by who shows up, and why the real task may not be explaining their family to him — but preparing him for a world that still thinks some families need explaining. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Today’s episode is another installment of Tiny Tales — three small stories from regular life that somehow reveal something much bigger. First: a passionate household debate over how toilet paper should be stacked and the humbling realization that sometimes “the right way” is just … your way. Then: the promise of adorable cooking subscription boxes meets the reality of impatient preschoolers, surprise ingredients, and making buttercream frosting from scratch for children who simply wanted to stir something. And finally: the evolution of daycare show-and-tell — from Sara refusing to send anything from home, to realizing that bringing a favorite toy isn’t about stuff at all. It’s about identity, confidence, and being seen. No dramatic parenting breakthrough. No perfect system uncovered. Just the ongoing lesson of this stage: your child wants to help, participate, and do things independently … and sometimes their growth requires a little less of your control. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Mother’s Day is supposed to be flowers, brunch, gratitude, and celebration. But for many moms — especially solo parents — it can feel a lot more complicated. In this honest and reflective episode, Sara shares what Mother’s Day looked like last year after an exhausting night of solo parenting, why “celebration” can still feel like labor, and how motherhood often means making magic while disappearing inside it. From social media highlight reels to being the one always behind the camera, this episode explores the unseen work moms carry every day — and why being loved isn’t always the same as being supported. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

In Part 2 of this special conversation, Sara and her mom discuss the decision that changed everything: Sara choosing solo parenthood. They reflect on the years leading up to it — what her mom saw, what she didn’t question, and why Sara’s path ultimately made sense. From early signs of Sara’s desire to nurture, to honest conversations about support, boundaries, and finances, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make a nontraditional path possible. It’s a story about trust, evolving roles, and the kind of family dynamic that makes big decisions feel doable. Note: This is Part 2 of Meet My Mom. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, go back and start there. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

She’s here! In this special first-ever guest episode, Sara is joined by someone who has shaped her life in more ways than one — her mom, aka “Noona.” What starts as a simple introduction quickly turns into a deeper exploration of childhood, identity, and the unexpected paths that lead us into parenthood. Her mom shares what it was like growing up in a very different era of family life, how those early experiences shaped her views on motherhood, and why she never actually planned to have children at all. From “let’s try it” to raising two daughters without a roadmap, this conversation is full of honesty, humor, and the kind of reflection that only comes with time. Note: This is Part 1 of Meet My Mom. Enjoy, then listen to Part 2. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

What starts as a full closet … turns into a much bigger conversation. In this episode, Sara shares how running out of physical space in her apartment led to a deeper realization about mental load, future plans, and what it really means to let go — especially as a solo parent. From finances and logistics to sentimentality and identity, Sara walks through why she held onto so much of her son’s baby and toddler items — and what changed when she finally had to ask herself a hard question: Am I actually going to have another child? If you’ve ever struggled to declutter, held onto something for a future you’re not sure about, or felt the unique pressure of making big life decisions on your own — this one will hit home. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Sara always thought birthday parties were an easy yes — a chance for her son to play, connect, and make memories. But during a particularly heavy season, even something that “checked all the boxes” felt impossible to show up for. So she did something that felt both wrong and right at the same time: she said no. In this episode, Sara opens up about the mental load behind that decision, the invisible weight of solo parenting without a backup, and the quiet but constant balancing act between what’s best for your child and what’s best for you. It’s an honest look at guilt, capacity, and what it really means to show up — even when that means staying home. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Sara dives into the reality of those everyday moments that can quickly spiral, even with the best routines in place. After a particularly chaotic morning, she reflects on how her child’s difficulty with transitions first showed up, what it felt like to seek support, and how working with an occupational therapist shifted her perspective from “behavior” to “needs.” Sara shares the tools that have helped her family most, including visual schedules and timers, and why predictability can make such a difference. This episode is an honest look at preparation versus inevitability, the emotional weight of solo parenting, and the ongoing work of learning to offer yourself the same grace you give your child. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

Sara used to think co-sleeping was one of those things you just … don’t do. You know the warnings: they’ll never leave your bed, you’ll lose your space, it’s a bad habit. And then one tired, casual “whatever” night turned into nine months (so far). From early hesitations to the unexpected gifts, this episode isn’t just about co-sleeping. It’s about questioning the “rules” of parenting, trusting your instincts, and being open to the things you swore you’d never do … that might actually make your life better. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

For Sara, a solo parent who can’t simply say “Watch the kids, I’ll be right back,” grocery shopping is a family affair that frequently involves donuts, Hot Wheels, deli orders, self-checkout “teamwork,” and her four-year-old saying hello to literally every person in the store. In this episode, Sara breaks down why she believes her son is obsessed with the grocery store. Hint: it’s what he gets to buy, what he gets to do, what he gets to see, and most importantly, who he gets to do it all with. She reflects on why these ordinary moments can become such big experiences for kids and highlights the joy in watching weekly rituals turn into meaningful memories. Plus: the day she told a small strategic lie, and why her son’s been announcing it loudly in public ever since. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon

After six straight days stuck at home (weekend, holidays, and strep throat included), Sara is reminded of a hard truth of solo parenting: when you’re the only adult in the house, your battery is the household battery. In this episode, Sara unpacks why reset days aren’t indulgent — they’re infrastructure. From productivity marathons to lunches with friends to extended-edition movie binges, she explores the difference between micro-breaks and the macro-resets parents actually need. Sara also challenges the idea that “selfless” is the gold standard of motherhood — and makes the case that depletion is not devotion. Because reset isn’t selfish. It’s maintenance. Want more? Follow @parentingpartyofone on Instagram. Have a topic to dive into, story to share, or question to ask? Email [email protected]. 🎙 Hosted, Produced & Edited by: Sara Amin 🎨 Cover Art by: Esha Janssens-Sannon