Parenting, Party of One

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

It’s the very first installment of Tiny Tales — three small stories from regular life that somehow feel enormous in the moment.First: the whiplash of watching your child greet their daycare bestie like a tiny executive … when you wiped their butt 14 minutes earlier.Then: a confession about Sara’s true job title — Chauffeur — and her very reasonable belief that parents deserve a luxury car partition and 20 minutes of uninterrupted silence.And finally: the surprisingly intimate, wildly under-discussed reality of motherhood — how often you will stick your finger into someone else’s nose … and the strategic manicure decisions that follow.No big thesis. No tidy takeaway. Just the tension of this stage: they are deeply attached to you and steadily becoming their own person. You are their everything … and slowly, beautifully, not their everything.Tiny stories. Big feelings. And the absurd, sticky magic of raising a human mostly on your own.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

Every weekday at 8:10am, a timer goes off in Sara’s house. Some mornings, her son pops up and gets dressed. Other mornings? Not even close.In this episode, Sara unpacks the phrase she hears herself saying — in that dreaded tone — when the clock is ticking and the bus is coming: “When Momi says it’s time, you say OK.” What starts as a practical boundary turns into a much bigger reflection on obedience, autonomy, raising a boy in a culture that already polices emotion, and being the only adult in the room.If you’ve ever had a small parenting moment spiral into a big philosophical question, this one’s for you.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 once believed solo parenting was all about mastering one-on-one defense — one mom, one kid, fully focused. But after losing her son twice in four hours at a children’s museum (he's fine!), she realized something important: even when you’re parenting solo, you still need a zone.In this episode, Sara shares the story that shifted her perspective — from sprinting through a crowded museum in full tactical-mom mode to experiencing the relief of a birthday party where every parent was watching every child. She reflects on what it means to build a village at 43, why “zone defense” doesn’t mean someone else is raising your child, and how community can lift 30 pounds off your chest when you didn’t even realize you were carrying it.If you’re solo parenting, considering it, or simply craving more support in your own life, this one’s for you.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

It’s mom and son’s birthday week(!) and Sara’s celebrating by sharing 4 hard-won lessons from her first 4 years of parenting.From the never-ending cycle of planning and preparation (yes, even Friday nights require a mental checklist) to learning she can handle way more than she ever thought possible, Sara gets real about what it's like to navigate parenthood — especially solo.She talks about taking advice from everyone and then trusting yourself to do your own thing, embracing the mystery of what's to come, and finding strength in moments that test you.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 The Journey Begins, Sara picks up where she left off — making plans with her doctor, having conversations with family and friends, connecting with a social worker and therapist, selecting her sperm donor (dun dun dun), getting inseminated, and finally hearing the words “you’re pregnant.”In this deep dive, Sara gets real about the pressure of crafting your child’s origin story, what she chose to share (and not share) with friends and family, and why some decisions about her son's story belong to him alone.Note: This is Part 2 of The Journey Begins. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, go back and start there.Resources mentioned:California CryobankWant 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

This is the origin story. In the first-ever episode of Parenting, Party of One, Sara takes us through the winding path that led her to solo parenthood by choice. From telling her middle school counselor she wanted to be a mom, to navigating three long-term relationships in her 20s and 30s, to watching friends get married and have babies while wondering when her turn would come — Sara gets honest about the dreams, the doubts, and the decision that changed everything.Note: This is Part 1 of The Journey Begins. Enjoy, then listen to Part 2!Resources mentioned:Shady Grove FertilityWant 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 2021, Sara made the biggest decision of her life - she chose to have a child on her own. Now, as a full-time working mom, she is comfortable, confident, and crushing it. Well, sort of … it depends on the day.If you're currently solo parenting, curious about the journey, know someone who is, or just need some laughs and oh my goshes ... cozy up for an honest, unfiltered chat. Let’s challenge what we think we know and come together as one big village.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