Being lone parent make you feel fragile?

[justaquestion]

As a lone parent with no family around I have this feeling fragile on some social situations.
I would like to give a specific example but now I want to describe it generally:
On some occasions I feel like if I had a man with me or I was with a partner I wouldn?t have been told some stuff. I am trying to mean I think some people see me just a lonely person who doesn?t have a back up so they don?t beware of saying things that they wouldn?t say if I wasn?t alone.
I feel like as a lone person some people think they can get their paws on me easier.
Do you feel the same? Or am I a shy person?
And another question; I find myself when alone at night times worrying about some daily stuff, which I know I wouldn?t do if I was with a man or with a person, do you feel the same? Or am I a worrying person?
How ever life is difficult as a lone parent I still wouldn?t like to be with a partner which is another subject?.

[justaquestion]

bump

[whatwouldjesusdo]

hi justaquestion
I am a lone parent too, and I do identify with what you are saying. There are lots of times when people can take advantage if they see you are alone.
But, imo, there are always going to be some people who will try it on. If you had a partner, would you leave it to them to defend you every time someone said something bad to you? So really, the same rules apply - you have to stand up for yourself.

What sort of social situations do you mean? predatory men, or more practical things like being pushed into decisions that you dont want?

[AMAZINWOMAN]

Hi, i know what you mean. I had problems with my neighbours who thought that cos i was a single parent that they could do what they want. I always stood up to them when music was loud, when their daughter put antkiller on my son etc. But because i stood up to them they made my life hell. They told kids to kick football at windows, assaults, spread rumours, dumped rubbish in my garden etc (i could have taken asbos out against 4 people it was that bad!)
defo think if it wasn't a single parent or if i had support it wouldn't have happened

i am also a worrier-i always wake early due to worries-and it would be easier if i had the right partner-so instead i write things down and get support from these message boards

[sanchpanch]

i also had a problem with neighbours and i am sure it was because i was single, they put post into my newly laid turf as the fence was bending, i went crazy and the removed them, but they thought they would get away with it

[justaquestion]

i am feeling like i am a soft target.
and i dont know what to do for that...

[justaquestion]

i am sorry for what happened to you AMAZINWOMAN
it is very hard i know.

[hoolagirl]

I can identify with this as well.
It can be quite scary.
You need to get ANGRY and be more ASSERTIVE!
How dare people say these things to you or talk to you like that, who the hell do they think they are ! Go nuts at them, they won't do it again and you'll get treated with more respect.

Easy to say i know, but give it a try here and there.

[xmasmummy]

i havnt had probs like this being a lone parent, i dont really know my neighbours- havnt been here long, but they are all pretty good anyway and prob dont even know im alone. this time of year makes me feel very fragile though, especially now my oldre kids are of an age where they notice things and listen to people. i cant afford to buy them the things they often want or things i want for them, and until i received 3 parcel from the appeal on here things were looking very bleak indeed for this xmas.

[justaquestion]

i liked your advice hoolagirl.
i will give it a try!

[justaquestion]

i think i should put the thread header as 'does being lone parent make you feel like a soft target?'

[Judy1234]

Do you mean men try it on?

[justaquestion]

hi xenia,
not only men, i tried to explain it on my first post on this thread.
now i am continuing in the other thread i mentioned below.