Lone parents - how long have you been single?

[dlnex]

Anyone out there happy to share how long they have been a single parent? I have been for 7 years, at first I coped with supporting myself, for a time dated ....badly, followed by finding more positives in being single....but I find some people's attitudes are moving now to pity or they seem to think I manufactured my situation to suit me... the other single parents I have known have moved on to new relationships.

[CrochetBelle]

9 years, with a couple of very short (weeks) flings in the first few.

[dlnex]

thanks Crochet, can you tell my rellies that at Christmas? ;-)

[megletthesecond]

9yrs. No dates, although I don't have the time or energy for all that anyway.

[dlnex]

thanks meglet ...I will use those words from now on.

[callmehannahbaker]

Lone parent from day before pregnancy test date! DD is 7 and a half and her dad takes no interest.
I had a boyfriend for 4 years but he didn't parent/we did not live together.
I've just started seeing someone else a few months ago who has had full custody of his 13 year old for 5 years.

[callmehannahbaker]

Sorry-posted too early. I find it much easier around new man as he understands the difficulties of lone parenting though.

[MadameJosephine]

I was a single parent to DS for 8 years then met DD’s dad, we split up 2 years ago and I have no desire for another relationship

[BatteredBreadedOrSouthernFried]

7 years. Very much prefer parenting alone but would like to meet someone. Had a couple of 3/4 month things with a few men but nothing with a future. DCs don’t have any contact with Dad so I don’t get out much to even meet anyone. (Their Dad has moved on, Married and had another baby due to the luxury of never having to find a babysitter)

[dlnex]

thanks to all
it's been very helpful to hear from others in very similar situations, I have feeling sorry for myself and a bit isolated.

[pinkpixie83]

Single from their dad for nearly 5 years now! Contact is slowly reducing more and more because the children don't want to go, due to his attitude and I'm grateful for that so I'm not alone.
Had a two year relationship but he vanished.

I'm lonely and would love to meet someone but I have no ability to go out and meet someone and it seems I'm not cut out for dating sites and I don't get messages even if I make the first move.

Trying to find peace with loneliness but my god do I miss cuddles from an adult size person.

[dlnex]

I get that pink, there is one person at work who I can ask for a hug and gets that bit of me. I am just finding the attitude of folk who cant get there heads around why I am not looking for another relationship and judge me for somehow not setting the 'right example' by not moving onto another relationship or waving a magic want to create contact with DD's father- that was never there in the first place, despite me facilitating this

[Phillipa12]

Single for 2 years with 3dc under 9. I get people asking if there are any men on the horizon, to be perfectly honest im not interested, what my exh did to me over a number of years has made me realise that if im single for the rest of my life i truly will not mind, these last 2 years with just me and my boys have been my happiest for a very long time!

[Marble2302]

I have been single for 4.5 years now. I left a violent relationship which almost destroyed me. Then we went through court for 2 years to end up with an indirect contact order he never stuck to.

I don't have the time or inclintion to meet anyone. I work full time and when I am off DD and I do things together she is 6.

It would be hard to meet someone as I don't get a lot of free time and if I am honest I am happy as I am.

[mustbemad17]

I was single mum for 5 years to DD, absolutely no interest in blokes in that time. Met my (now ex) OH & changed all that buuut now two days into being back in the single saddle. This time I feel lonely as fuck 😔

[Ninjakittysmells]

Happily single 7 years now. Had a few flings. Last one was with a man who forgot to mention he had a pregnant wife, so that’s firmly cemented for me that I’d rather be on my own. I like it, though I do miss sex and someone to watch scary films with every now and again.

[Susu88]

I have been single almost 3 years, 6 years of a very unhappy/abusive marriage. I have 3 boys under the age of 6, people don't understand how I cope having no family for help and I smile because raising 3 children alone vs being controlled, lied to, manipulated, and trying to even get out of bed. There's no comparison the last 3 years just me and my children have been the happiest I've been in a long time. Of course it's hard work all my energy goes into looking after the kids. I have no interest in looking for a partner. There dad wants nothing to do with them (too busy living his life) if there own dad can walk out on us then any man can. I refuse point blank to put us all through that again.

[free2017]

Been single 5 and half years . Some days I like the idea of having another child and a family unit . Other days I am like I can't make myself that vulnerable for a man to hurt me again

[NameChanger22]

Happily single for 10 years. I intend to stay this way.

[jaimelannistersgoldenhand]

6 years. There's no room in my life for another person.

[Namechanger2015]

Three years for me, and happily single too. I raise my 3 children by myself, ex sees them in the school holidays. We are a tight-knit team, and being single is like paradise compared to my 10 years with an abusive and controlling selfish man. I feel like I am free and never want to be trapped by anyone again.

[TidyLike]

Broke up with my kids' dad 3 years ago. Co-parented until May 2016, at which point I cut off all contact with him because of his abuse. He's currently taking me to court to get access to the children, and it looks extremely unlikely that he will succeed (final hearing is next month). It's all very hard work, but I like the fact that I'm the boss in the family and don't have to consult anyone in decisions about the kids :) Solidarity to my fellow amazing single parents!

[TidyLike]

Oh ... I have been involved with 2 men since breaking up with ex. Neither worked out. I'm still in love with the second one, and have zero interest in anyone else.

[ohamIreally]

2 years. Starting to really appreciate it.

[Quiddichcup]

Nearly 10 years here. 3 things that have lasted a few months.
I'd love a relationship but ive forgotten what one feels like and can't imagine how someone would fit in with dd and I.