I don't know how you do it.

[SquiffyHock]

DH has been away for a week and I am utterly shattered! I've just put DC to bed and thought about all of you parents that are on your own all of the time and wanted to say that I'm full of admiration for you.

My days have felt longer, their moods have seemed worse, I've found it harder to motivate myself to keep the house tidy. Most of all, I have been bored in the evenings.
Don't get me wrong, the kids have been wonderful, we've been out and about (a lot!!) and I have enjoyed them, it's just hard on your own.

I hope this doesn't seem patronising but, Well Done lone parents

[MrsSnorty]

Thank you!
(BTW I don't keep my house tidy and I am bored in the evenings but other than that it's ok..)

[mummyfantastico]

Thanks! In some ways it's easier than having a moody, selfish and incredibly untidy man around

[scrappydappydoo]

I second that squiffy - my dh goes away frequently and my admiration for lone parents increases 10 fold.
Hands out gold medals, bottles of wine, and massive bars of choc to all lone parents

[onlyjoking9329]

i don't know that i am doing it,my DH wasn't moody, selfish or untidy he did most of the housework and cooking i really miss him.

[thornrose]

One thing I crave is someone telling me I'm doing a good job once in a while. My (male) cousin once told me so and I started sobbing and scared him .
There's some corny advert on tv where the man is saying all this lovely supportive stuff to the mother of his child and I hate it but also feel slightly jealous!!

[SpandexIsMyEnemy]

I miss that as well thorn.

given the choice thou of the X I had, or being jsut me and DS - even with all the shite i'd rather have just me and DS. but it's not easy - tbh you get on with it cos there's no other option.

OJ -

[GivePeasAChance]

oj

Coping has so many meanings.

[Mamazon]

yes but we don't have to listen to boring stories about the office, or have to wash smelly socks, or fold copious amounts of boxer shorts, or iron work shirts every day etc etc.

It is indeed hard work but it has its rewards.....we never get kicked off of MN so that they can check the football reaults

[onlyjoking9329]

i guess it is different for us, we only ended up like this cos Steve died, i can't look back and say we are better off now cos we are not, i can't look at it and say i hated him cos i didn't i can't even say we will make a go of this and show you what you are missing.

[onlyjoking9329]

i would love to wash his smelly socks and fold his boxer shorts, i have the tee shirt he was wearing when he died, it is in a bag but i can't look at it touch it or smell it, it has three fathers day badges on it and i just can't look at it.

[thornrose]

God, I bet you do. Having to cope as a single parent through a relationship breaking down doesn't compare in any way with the loss of bereavement.

[SpandexIsMyEnemy]

no quite - that's certainly one thing I wouldn't wish on anyone.

[GivePeasAChance]

You really miss him terribly; it's so awful to hear. It is the worst unsolvable problem to have on your plate. I don't know where you can find comfort but I hope you do find some

[SquiffyHock]

OJ - .

I hope I didn't upset you, it wasn't my intention. I'm sure that Steve can see all that you're doing and is blown away by you.

[onlyjoking9329]

Nobody upset were all different and find ourselves in places we don't always chose to be, looking on the bright side here me and the kids knew love our memories are good ones our self esteem and confidence is intact and I know the kids had a good role model.
We probably would see things differently if we had gone throu divorce and I'm notsure we would have coped with that so well as you people do.

[SpandexIsMyEnemy]

that knife cuts both way OJ - if things were on the other foot - and my XH had gone abroad - in fact even now we're split if he was abroad with work and the worst happened. . hats off to you.