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Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Lone parents

crap crap :( why is nothing going right????

20 replies

lunavix · 09/08/2008 16:57

Washing machine has been broken for two months (I've only loved here four ) and it's not fixable according to the lovely repair man I can't afford a new one and I'd have to leave it here anyways as there's a clause in my tenancy that the washing machine is my responsibility. I've tried posting on my local freecycle but noone has one and I can't collect as I don't drive... what am I meant to do????

Bought a pushchair for dd from ebay as the last stroller broke and it's broken too. I walk a lot (miles a day as I don't drive) so they get a lot of use but I only had it four weeks. I HAVE to have a pushchair, a friend has lent us one temporarily but she needs it back. I romanticised with the idea of buying a bug but it's all dreams, I don't even have 50p to rub together... I can justify nice buggy for all the walking but it's finding the money....

And I bought V festival tickets for exp and I and am now trying desperately to sell them. Bought them months ago when I had more money and it's now two weeks to dd's birthday and I can't afford to buy her anything at all She had the crappest first birthday as it was two weeks after h and I split and noone was talking and we did nothing. It's now nearly her second birthday and I have no money to do anything, go anywhere or buy her anything If I could sell these tickets even for anything it would help but there's so many on ebay noone's interested I feel so selfish having them knowing she could go without. Ds was spoilt for all four of his birthdays and she just hasn't

Just wish something would work out Just once

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charliecat · 09/08/2008 17:10

Local paper for V tickets maybe, friday ads we have here. They are free.
Someone on MN will no doubt have a spare buggy, ask
Washing machine Catologue or 0% credit card an option?

turquoise · 09/08/2008 17:12

I have an old umbrella style stroller if that's any help to you. Are you in Kent?

Ewe · 09/08/2008 17:14

Should be easy to flog your V tickets - does gumtree cover your area? Or you could put them on ebay? They're going for £200 for two tickets.

I'm sure an MNer has a buggy you can have - start a thread?

lunavix · 09/08/2008 17:17

I can't get any credits cards I have 8k of debt

I'm reluctant to get one on a catalogue or bright house type thing cos I'll have to leave it here when I move...

I'll look for friday ads but cos it starts friday don't think there's enough time.

So much more is going wrong too.... I start Uni Sept and while I can scrape by I'm going to struggle with the debts. If I manage to break even it will be a miracle. exh is trying to contest my choice of childcare and is demanding to see my finances which is making me alternately scared angry and guilty. If it wasn't for the debt I could definately support the kids with no doubt. He's also saying now I'm not at home with them and they're in childcare he's rethinking me being their main carer too...

I'm such a crap mum I've cried every night missing them because they are away with their grandparents on MY weekend with them and their gran has just phoned to say I can have them back but I've promised to babysit for a friend who's bought tickets to go out already and I can't let her down.

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lunavix · 09/08/2008 17:17

I've put them on ebay for £150 so far... Paid nearly £400 But I just need some money, any

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lunavix · 09/08/2008 17:18

turquoise - no, berkshire

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lunavix · 09/08/2008 17:20

Was going to try sticking everything in the house that isn't stuck down on ebay tomorrow but kids will be back earlier than expected (which I am NOT complaining about) and a friend has offered to drive to asda to try and get extra cheap grocery shop this week. Plus I have a rent inspection monday by my landlords who hate me and the house and garden is totally trashed.

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tissy · 09/08/2008 17:22

how about hiring a washing machine?

My Mum does that despite the fact that we've offered to buy her one.

She likes the fact that if it breaks down it will be repaired for free, or replaced if beyond salvation.

for example know nothing about this site, just googled washing machine rentals. You could try your yellow pages.

lunavix · 09/08/2008 17:24

thats a fab idea thanks. although what will i do when i move out - i have to leave a working washing machine as it's my job to repair or replace...

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lunavix · 09/08/2008 17:26

i've filled in the enquiry form.. at least it means dc's will have clean clothes in the mean time.

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tissy · 09/08/2008 17:28

when you move out, leave it for the next tenants to carry on the hire. If they don't want it then it can be taken away.

Keep watching freecycle. Someone may have one.

Post a wanted ad once a fortnight or so (don't know if you're allowed, but worth a try).

Has the CAB looked at your contract? If you've inherited a washing machine that is beyond repair, surely you can't be expected to buy a new one and leave it there?

SpandexIsMyEnemy · 09/08/2008 18:22

agree with the washing machine if you'd only just moved in it must have been on it's way out to start with?? - failing freecycle you can sometimes get cheap ones in the yellow free ads. I also have an umbrella fold you could have but am in portsmouth - you're more than welcome to arrange a courier - I would for you, but nothing's selling on ebay, and am short myself this week (it's rent week! lol)

re the birthday - do you ahve enough bits and bobs for a home made cake, some sandwiches, bit of music few of DD's little friends over to your house for a play date, doesn't have to be fancy for her to have a good time. and pressies - well i've been known to recycle some of DS's form xmas he's not played with for his birthday . for his second b'day he literally had 2 shirt for £5 for the pair - I felt crappy so know how you feel - but my point is he didn't notice.

lunavix · 09/08/2008 18:27

well i bought her three my little ponies for christmas that i never gave her, and a night garden puzzle so i guess that's a good start don't know about home made cake...

it's not so much that i expect to spoil her rotten and that's all the point is, it's just I feel bad cos ds has always been spoilt and she never has. Like it's her turn if that makes sense...

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SpandexIsMyEnemy · 09/08/2008 18:35

it does - tbh those gifts i'd say she's sorted - get her some colouring books and crayons if you have some spare cash?

Home made cake - 8 oz flour, 8 oz suger 8oz butter 4 eggs,

mix it all basically up and cook for approx 25 mins on gas 5 (but you'd do better asking on here for actual figures/times - I'm of the view chuck it in taste if b4 it goes in and hope for the best!) if you can get a friend to have her for a few hours maybe you and DS can make it for her together so then it's extra special?

as I say then all you need is a party tape/nursery rhymes cd. few sandwiches, some water for drinks, and what ever else you might find in the cupboard to have a picnic in the garden (or front room floor with) and she'll have a fab time running about with all her little friends.

I know you want to spoil her, but my logic now is if we start big from the first birthday we have nothing to aspire to! so start small and simple - if the weathers nice get the paddling pool out bit of music, maybe a pass the parcel? musical statues (get a couple of the 10p packet sweets for prizes if you can??) - bit old maybe but she'll have fun!

(I remember a birthday with egg n spoon race and a meal of sausage and beans - am assuming now it's all mum had in the cupboards! )

isheisnthe · 09/08/2008 20:01

where are you in berks - I am around the bracknell area and have a spare maclaren puch chair (and rain cover) - its 3 years old bt noting wrong with it a clean wouldn't help?

lunavix · 09/08/2008 20:07

i am in thatcham near newbury....

i don't drive but that would be so helpful. Wondering if I can get to you minus kids to collect it... if I can that would be so wonderful thank you

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isheisnthe · 09/08/2008 20:29

thatcham - but you dont drive do you? erm, I could make it to reading one day this week if that would help at all?

Have looked at the AA route finder and your 25 mins away - perhaps I could drop to you? would have to be either tuesday or thursday (and I would have DC's with me I'm afraid)

lunavix · 09/08/2008 21:07

oh i couldn't ask you to do that

Not sure if I could make it to reading during the week... a friend has offered to drive to asda in reading tomorrow but I think I might be pushing it to ask her to go to bracknell! I can try...

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isheisnthe · 10/08/2008 09:44

I'm going out for the day today I'm afraid but let me know what you want me to do re getting it to you

lunavix · 10/08/2008 11:29

okay well she has now decided she can't go to asda cos she has no money. I know I shouldn't be too gutted cos it was a kind offer but she only told me this at 10 this morning, she has no money as she went out drinking twice this weekend (and therefore can't grocery shop for her kids either) and my two are due home in two hours and there isn't a scrap of food in the house Which means a trip to Co-Op which is going to bump my grocery total up by at least £10. Argh

I'm working all week but I'll see what I can do. Thank you

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