Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being delusional?

60 replies

sillygoose111 · 02/03/2026 12:35

I feel like I know the answer but I need a word of encouragement and maybe someone else to share their experience.

I’m 28F who’s been very independent since I left home at 19, I have a child who’s soon to be 5.

Unfortunately life has been lifing and I’m left in a situation to decide what to do next after a breakup to make sure I can provide the best life for the both of us. I’m down to two options and I guess I want a positive perspective to feel that I’m not absolutely failing as a mother.

  1. I could stay were we live now and keep her in the school were she started in September (she’s in reception) and claim UC. However although I’d have more independence, my own space, this option would limit my ability to save and overall it would be harder to move on in life.
  2. Move in with my grandma and uncle who’s looking after her (we are similar age with him and have a good relationship). I’d be able to save as much as I can as majority of my earning will go to savings. But that means changing school for the little one. I’m so scared she will have a hard time. I know that I would be doing this for our future but still I feel so much guilt and as if I’d fail her.

It wouldn’t be permanent but 1-2 years for me to hopefully to be able to save for a deposit and buy something for ourselves. Until then we would share a room.

As I said before I just want some advice/encouragement or for someone to tell me if I’m being completely delusional.

Thank you!

OP posts:
BillieWiper · 02/03/2026 12:54

It depends on your housing situation. If you're in social housing then you don't want to lose that. In fact if your housing is decent it would be foolish to forgo it as if it goes tits up at GPs you may not find somewhere else of a comparable quality.

Also can GPs really cope with having you and child living there?

RaininSummer · 02/03/2026 12:53

Option two so long as it works well for uncle and Grandma too and you won't end up unexpectedly homeless.

Catza · 02/03/2026 12:50

Take my advice with a pinch of salt because I come from a culture where multi-generational living used to be quite normal. We moved with my grandparents in similar circumstances after my parent's marriage broke down. My mother really struggled with loss of independence but, as a child, I had absolutely amazing time. There was unlimited childcare, I grew very close to my aunt who lived with us for a short while after similar troubles. Granny has been my absolute rock for the last 30+ years and I don't have a single bad thing to say about living with family. We are very very close.
Even now, I'd move in with my granny or my aunt in a hearbeat.

ZippyPeer · 02/03/2026 12:49

Option 2. Kids are very resilient and will adapt to a new school

TimeForTeaAndG · 02/03/2026 12:49

I would move with a plan of when you are moving out again and a savings goal. At 5 she will easily find new friends, anything up to around 9-10yo I would say is fine before they move into puberty and all hell breaks loose 😆

I wish we had moved house when DD was younger but now we are stuck here until she finishes school as her entire social life is here and as a teen it would be a much bigger deal to be starting again at a new school.

noidea69 · 02/03/2026 12:48

Moving her in reception is fine, she will make new friends.

However if the grandma is so unwell uncle has to live in to care for her, is it fair on her (and child) to bring a 5 year old in to her space?

Theunamedcat · 02/03/2026 12:45

2 she will make new friends and honestly if i had done this when dd was that age I wouldn't be stuck in rented at fifty still on UC panicking about finding work at my age future proof yourself ASAP

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 02/03/2026 12:45

I would move a 5 year old I think. Friendships are made quite quickly at that age. It would be different if she were in her teens

Fivelegged · 02/03/2026 12:42
Velvian · 02/03/2026 12:40

Option 1.

Swipe left for the next trending thread