April’s Solo Mom Spotlight

Meet Kayla Robinson

Welcome to April’s Solo Mom Spotlight! Now I’m really excited to introduce to you this mom! She is self-made, self-taught, and self-proclaimed Super Mom!

Let’s meet Ms. Kayla Robinson!

Introductory

1. Tell us a little about yourself! What’s your story, and how did you navigate becoming a solo mom?

• My name is Kayla. I’m 33. I’m a mom of 2 kids, my daughter is 11 and my son is 6. For 9 years I’ve been a full time entrepreneur. Being a single mom and balancing my business location and my household has its good and tough moments. I am definitely doing the best I can with what I got. And thankful that God has been carrying me the whole way through.

2. What does a typical day in your life look like?

• So in the mornings, I like to take my kids to school versus them catching the bus because I enjoy the time (even when it can get crazy in the mornings, I still prefer this). Afterwards, I’ll grab coffee (I’m a Dunkin’ Donuts girl), and head to the gym or straight to my studio. Most days I cross my fingers hoping I don’t get any phone calls from the kids’ school while I’m working. It’s usually someone asking to be picked up early or someone acting up. My work day has a break in between, so I’ll leave my studio and arrive home in time to meet the kids as they get off of their bus. And then I will bring them with me back to my studio if I have any afternoon clients. And then we will head home and I’ll make dinner and we call it a night around 9:30pm-10pm.

3. How would you describe yourself in three words?

• Kind, Ambitious, Resilient

Parenting Journey

4. What’s been the biggest challenge of being a single mom, and how have you overcome it?

• The biggest challenge of being a single mom is definitely, being a single mom lol. Having to do it all yourself is not for the weak. But it’s only by God’s grace that He provides for me and gives me the strength to handle anything that comes my way.

5. What’s one thing about solo motherhood that people don’t talk about enough?

• Maybe it’s the loneliness of not having another adult/spouse in the house with you. Not to sound depressing. But I’d say that’s definitely something I don’t broadcast because at the end of the day, I am not alone. I have my children and my God and for the most part, I feel content.

6. What’s your proudest “mom moment” so far?

• Being able to give my children a life that I always wanted. Being able to choose the neighborhood i want to live in because the schools are great. Being able to take my kids on vacations and celebrate birthdays however they want. These are definitely proud moments for me.

7. How do you manage parenting while pursuing your own goals and passions?

• I give myself grace! Sometimes I can go for long streaks of being successful in my lists of things to do. And then sometimes I want to put things off in order to rest. I’m grateful that I’m able to align pursing my passions and goals with my kids’ school time. While they are in school, I work. And in my downtime at home, I also do things I need to do from my phone or laptop.

Self-Care and Balance

8. How do you prioritize “me time” as a solo mom?

• Before I had my second child, I completely lost my identity into being a mom. I did the best I could making sure my daughter had everything she needed but I didn’t have that same energy to pamper myself. Now, every time I get my kids something, I get something for myself as well. And I don’t feel guilty if I pick things up just for me either. I’m going to the gym now. And I no longer take the kids with me to my nail or hair salon appointments either. So that’s how I get some me-time in.

9. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?

• Before, I was a binge watching Queen! But then I started feeling like my presence in the house wasn’t really there so now I enjoy making “Sunday dinner” style food when I have time in the evenings. No one’s allowed in the kitchen when I’m in the kitchen, yet the kids don’t feel alone because I’m in the center of the house versus being tucked away in my room lol.

10. Do you have a go-to self-care ritual that keeps you grounded?

• Coffee in the mornings is my self-care treat to me. I always feel like I will have a good day after getting coffee lol.

Inspiration and Advice

11. Who inspires you as a mother, and why?

• I strive everyday to give love, grace and forgiveness like God does for me. When I think of my parenting skills I think of what God does for me and that inspires me to do the same for my children.

12. What advice would you give to other single moms who might be struggling?

• Not trying to turn this into church, but I would definitely disclose to her that I felt a little lost and unsure of where to go or what to do before I built a relationship with God. It wasn’t until then that I felt more grounded and more filled with purpose. So I’d say she definitely needs to make God a firm foundation in her life first. After that, all she needs to do is the best she can with what she got and know that everything will be alright.

13. If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing about motherhood, what would it be?

• I would tell my younger self that being a mom will take me out of my shyness. It will redirect my boldness from being angry to being bold in pursuing different goals. From not seeing a future for myself to becoming ambitious because my kids will be my motivation. And being a mom will teach me more about myself than any other experience has.

Fun and Personal

14. What’s a hobby or activity you love doing that your kids think is “annoying” or “just like a mom”?

• Now that I have a preteen, anything that involves her leaving the house with me is considered annoying to her lol. But I would say, anytime I tell them I want to take them to my favorite restaurant (Olive Garden) they both act like the world is ending.

15. If you had a full day to yourself, no responsibilities, what would you do?

• Only one day? I’d probably spend it on my couch or in my bed scrolling Tik Tok or building an online cart from some store lol.

16. What’s your favorite mom hack that makes your life easier?

• A glass of wine before going grocery shopping with the kids makes it all fun and less stressful lol.

17. Name one song that’s the soundtrack of your life right now.

• Kendrick Lamar - “Alright”

Looking Forward

18. What are your goals or dreams for the next year?

• Goals would be to build in my business and still maintain a non-chaotic home environment for the kids without getting burned out. Another goal is taking the kids on more vacations because I live for making good memories for them. And a dream would be meeting my kingdom spouse by that time!

19. How do you teach your children about resilience and self-love?

• I am upfront about certain challenges I overcome. I tell my children, not to scare them, but to let them know what it’s like for me in hopes that they learn resilience AND also chill on me lol. I hope that I am teaching my children about self love when they feel loved by me, and also when I teach them that God loves them and there’s no greater love than that.

20. What legacy do you want to leave for your kids?

• I want to pass down the mindset to my children that they can achieve and be anything they want to be. That the road may not be easy always but living in your dreams will be rewarding.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

• You can follow my personal page on IG @twentykay and my IG business pages @browsbykayla and @thebeautysolutionstudio

Thank you again Kayla and I know your story will inspire many solo mompreneurs!