Argh! So stressed, worried I am going to damage my DD emotionally :(

No advice but just here to say you sound like you’re doing amazingly and remember take some time for yourself once it’s all sorted and decompress xxxx

I’m saddened to read how difficult things have been for you, and I think you are doing an exceptional job of responding to the sudden closure of your school and all the linked upheaval to that.

You are doing everything you can for your child, making an incredible effort already to sort things out which were out of your hands.

I am sending you both my best wishes 💐

Wow I just wanted to say you sound amazing. You're doing a great job, I know it might not feel like if you can't see the wood through the trees. I think kids are quite resilient and I actually think long term it might be beneficial. I'm sure she'll be a strong lady like her mum.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm almost 40, and my mum still sometimes worries that I had a terrible childhood because I have an older brother who is profoundly autistic and non-verbal. Life was often chaotic, people stared at us, and she worries that she never had enough time for us.

Honestly, though, I had the best childhood. I don't have a bad word to say about either my mum's or my dad's parenting. I always felt loved, supported and happy, and I look back on my childhood with nothing but fond memories..

If you're worrying it's probably a good sign.

Feel for you. You seem like a good mum so no worries on that score. I know you have to save money, but have you thought about only packing basic personal items and paying for the removers to do the packing? We did that when we moved and it took a lot of stress away. Also, ringfence a little time each day to do something you like doing. An hour if you can, but failing that, half an hour. Don't use it to do something you think will be 'good for relaxing' like yoga or listening to soothing music, (unless of course you enjoy these, in which case, brilliant! do them and enjoy). Instead, use this precious time for something you really like. Remember, life's hard at the moment but things can get better. Love and Best Wishes.

I know money is tight but some removal firms offer a packing service. If you are struggling it might be worth checking that out.

Id break the day up
First thing spent dedicated packing time, dd to craft, colour or whatever you find. Charity shops are great for things like this.
then I’d go out, lots of free summer activities on and enjoy your time together. Build in a chore you need to do e.g. uniform
Afternoon have some quiet time where you both relax a bit
evening prep for new job time

Set a timer a few times a day for 5 minutes or so where you give her your full focus and be kind to her. I think that helps and is a small commitment.

Adding to the chorus of voices of WHAT a woman, what a powerful, resourceful woman.
I appreciate that every penny sounds like it counts right now. But how are you moving? Are you using a removal firm? If you are, in my experience it costs really very little additional funds for them to pack you, which they usually do in a day.
when I last moved, I found that it would have cost me the same (in bubble wrap and boxes) to pack myself as they charged me to pack (and they provided the boxes and bubble wrap.)
if you are hiring a removal company, have a really serious think about what this would mean for your stress levels. X
sending you so much support. This will soon be over.

It might not be viable, but would it be something where you could send a (copied and pasted) message to them individually, or even add them to a group chat:

"Hey, I am so sorry to ask but I am totally maxed out at the moment what with the job change, school change and house move 😵‍💫😨. Would anyone be able to have <daughter> for a few hours on any of the following days <list days> - obviously realise people may be away/busy but an extra afternoon here or there would be so helpful as I really need to pack the house up! Thanks so much in advance and of course no worries at all if not!" And if you've sent it to multiple people separately add a sentence saying so so that they know you're asking others as well in case people offer the same day.

It might not work but I think if you're really up front and grateful then most people are happy to pitch in in circumstances like these.

Could your dad come to your house so he can keep her occupied while you’re also around if need be?

In a different situation but I can relate. I am extremely stressed with work and children this summer. My stress levels are appalling and I’m shouting and crying all the time. I’m also in peri. I wish I could stop working - I think I need a circuit breaker to avoid total burnout - but I pay 50 per cent of the bills and am self employed so can’t even go off on the sick.

there’s no answer except time and my kids being less demanding (one of them has SEND so the burden might never reduce tbh)

You have this. But just take 10 minutes each day for you.
5 minutes to write a to do list at the beginning (so it doesn't have to whirr in your head).
And 5 minutes just standing still at the end of your "working" day. Make it a set time...whatever is not done will have to wait til tomorrow. Breathe slowly, calmly and appreciating how amazing you are and how much you have achieved. Stand still..on the patio/lawn/balcony...just outside, if you can. Hold a hot drink if you feel odd standing still. Breathe. Still. You are amazing.

I just feel so bad that I must be confusing her and making her anxious.

No, it would be confusing and make her anxious if you didn't explain and apologise afterwards. What you're doing is modelling resilience and developing her emotional intelligence and empathy.

I've been through some really tragic and frightening times in the last few years (deaths of both parents, responsible for the care of the last one, and divorce). For me, medication was an absolute lifesaver. Of course, what's right for me isn't necessarily right for you, but it really made me calm down and helped me keep things in perspective. Medication has a really bad name in the UK, which is a pity, because I reckon a lot of people could benefit from it. It's enhanced my life considerably with virtually no side-effects.

If you are experiencing this much stress and struggling to cope, I think you should at least visit your GP. Tell them what you told us, and see what they say.

I don't know the situation with your ex, but is it possible that you could appeal to his better nature and ask him to send you some (more) money for a bit, until things are easier? Then you wouldn't have to take on extra work. Tell him that your stressful life is having an impact on your child. If that's a no, ask his parents. It's their son who shagged you and then left you in the lurch, after all. Don't be too proud to ask him and his family for support. You didn't get pregnant all by yourself. It takes two.

There is free mindfulness meditation stuff on YouTube.

You don't say if your child's new school is private, but if so, consider putting her into state?

You could also ask your parents for a small monthly stipend so that you don't have to take on extra work.

You say her dad lives abroad - does he help out financially?

You should be incredibly proud of yourself managing all of these things at once.

Keep going - you will get there. Please reach out to friends and family for practical and emotional support too.

Well done the Labour party by introducing vat on school fees. Only country that has this tax on education. You’ve upended people’s lives.

OP I’m so sorry. Join a local facebook group locally and ask anonymously for support/ideas

You are amazing. Her dad is not. Does he have any family who can help or would he at least send you some extra to pay a local babysitter to take her out for a few days? That may give you just the time you need to get packed? Or even pay a removal firm to do it for you x

OP, you are doing a very good job, I've been a lone parent and it is very difficult anyway, but the burden of being the sole income provider, and house packer, and entertainments officer, and so on, it does get too much. You have done very well indeed to find another job, and are understandably frayed around the edges.

I would set your standards for the rest of the summer pretty low. If your daughter watches too much TV or goes to the same park for a run-around, so be it, same for food, just do what you have to do to get through, to earn money and to pack up the house which does take longer than you think.

If you can throw yourself on the mercy of a few friends with similar age children, it might help, only if you feel you can though. Finding out the holiday provision for your local council for UC is a good idea, although you are a bit hampered by your inability to drive, I don't mean that in a mean way, more in admiration that you are also coping with the reasons for that as well.

Honestly, you are the opposite of damaging your daughter, you are showing her what resilience looks like. You can't be perfect so don't hold yourself to a crazy standard, having your dad over and doing the odd playdate for her would help, I'd also be honest with the mums you know about the stress you are under and they may offer to help.

You sound amazing.
It is so stressful.
You are human.
Do not hesitate to apologise to your daughter.
It is a wonderful lesson to a child to hear their parent apologise sincerely.
Children are forgiving and this teaches them that we all make mistakes, its ok, you can forgive and be forgiven.
It is a greatvteaching moment for them.

Be kind to yourself.
It all sounds brutal.
Wishing you well.

Whether you choose medication or not, a chat with your GP would probably be worthwhile.

you have been amazing. Take out a small loan or lose some savings. you have a job and house lined up. You can sort money the other side of summer but you need to arrive ready to do well but full of guilt and fatigue. You actually need to trust that you are epic and worth the spend. Enjoy your time with your daughter and it will make the transition easier for you both.

I had similar once and took out a double figures loan to get me through - lied my arse off to the bank but they don’t care as long as you make the repayments which I did. That loan paid for things that kept life a bit normal at a tough time - retrospectively it was a great call.

You have done incredibly well so far. Moving house is very stressful for anyone, but on your own, with a 6 year old and no other support, it is a heroic task. You are a hero! Just remember that this time will pass. You WILL get the house packed up and the move WILL take place and before you know it your DD will be starting her new school. Good luck to you with everything that lies ahead. It's clear that you have the strength and inner resources to cope, even if life feels overwhelming right now.

Jesus christ @dollydoops
You are a fucking superstar..... im not surprised you're struggling !!
Jeez.....life...it doesn't rain, it pours

No advice other than, this too shall pass....please be kind to both yourself and your daughter.... & for you!! X