Solo Parenting with Bipolar: Staying Stable as a Single Parent

Solo Parenting with Bipolar: Staying Stable as a Single Parent

From Inside Bipolar by Gabe Howard & Dr. Nicole Washington

April 6, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges of single parenting while living with bipolar disorder and offers insights on self-care and managing expectations.

Are you living with bipolar and a single parent or managing a household alone? Have you been told things like sleep hygiene (as an example) is a pillar of stability, but your teenager’s late-night schedule and the on-call pressure of solo parenting make that feel impossible? In this episode, hosts Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington (a board-certified psychiatrist) respond to a raw, honest listener email that challenges the "nuclear family" advice often given to single parents. They dismantle the crushing weight of "Mom Guilt" and the stigma that suggests a mental health diagnosis disqualifies you from raising healthy kids. Is the ship destined to sink, or are you just holding yourself to a standard that doesn't exist? Listeners will Learn: Why striving for perfection is a trap that leads to burnout If you don't prioritize your health, the whole household suffers How being real with your children can build a stronger foundation for the future Listen in to hear why Dr. Nicole believes you—the parent—are the undisputed MVP of your household. This episode is an essential look at modeling self-care for your children, setting "Do Not Disturb" boundaries…

People in this episode

Hosts: Gabe Howard, Dr. Nicole Washington

Topics covered

  • bipolar disorder
  • single parenting
  • mental health
  • self-care
  • parenting challenges
  • stigma

Keywords

  • bipolar
  • single parent
  • mental health
  • self-care
  • Mom Guilt
  • parenting
  • stability

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