How do you cope being a single parent?

[spookycharlotte121]

I have been a single parent for a year and I find it so hard. I hate it. I miss my ex and even though he was an ass hole I still love him and sort of feel its my fault that our little family has been torn in two.

I miss the company in the evening and just having someone to share the burdon of everyday struggles with. My ex see's the children once a week for a few hours and I never feel like I get any time to myself because I have so much uni work to do.

I feel like im being driven insane. I am being treated for PND so Im guessing this may have some part to play in it all. I just feel like there is something missing in my life right now and its making me miserable.

Just wondering how you all try and fill the void in your life and keep yourself going.

Any suggestions would be great.

[scrooged]

Hi charlotte.

You need to take time to sort your head out first and work through your feelings about your ex. It will really help you so take time for you to do this. Take each day at a time. Your Uni/college has a counsellor, have you thought of seeing them?

[supervixen]

Hi, I understand, sort of feel the same way at times, but it gets easier day by day.

We can survive without men ;) but I miss the company, although I do like my own company luckily.

[Janos]

You are really going through the wringer aren't you. I do feel for you - aside from all the emotional issues involved, it's very hard work physically.

The key to getting through all this is good support.

Of course you will always get support on here, but what anout IRL? What support do you have there?

[MitchyInge]

as your mood comes back up to normal with the PND treatment it will feel so much easier, I promise

it was not so awful for me from the point of view of missing my ex because I'd just gone blindly into quite a bad relationship (I was only 18!) and by the time I 'woke up' to the truth about how things were it was a relief, I felt as though I could breathe again for the first time in ages. we split up when the girls were about 18 months and nearly 4 - they're 16 and 18 now, I had another child nearly 10 years ago and opted to remain single. Probably just too set in my ways now to change but most people do find someone to settle down with again don't they?

I also went to university and have always worked which I thought of as 'me time', and keep up as many interests as possible - most of mine are quite sad, like knitting but last year I started riding again and bought myself a horse. I've never had any support from my family and nor has my ex ever shown any interest in the children so it was really important for me to build up some good friendships and I've been very very lucky to have so much support from them. So those are my tips! Make sure you build as much fun as possible into your life and cultivate a support network

[ridingjoker]

i seem to cope by filling every minute of the day with activities.

also added ou course and job to my already hectic schedule.

i also have 4 brothers and sister. and between them and my mum i try and arrange they all visit me at seperate nights o i'm not spending the nights on my own every night.

if i'm really demented i get absorbed in something crafty.

[poshsinglemum]

I think I began to love it once I truly ACCEPTED that I was a single parent family. That involved getting over my ex which is really hard I know. It is a grieving process. I sometimes remind myself of why he is my ex. I still love him but I think of all the ways I was mistreated. Also I keep thinking that this is an opportunity to really be myself, be independant and do what I like without answering to anyone. Hope you feel better soon.

[poshsinglemum]

Also repeat ''My ex is an ass hole.I am better off alone than with an ass hole and I do deserve better!'' Alos I find that dd keeps me going. I concentrate on how wonderful she is and I pity him for missing out.