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Original poster

Single mum

306 replies

PITH1 · 19/03/2023 21:41

I'm 30, a single mum of 2 DC (7 and 3), broke and moving 8 hours away to Scotland next week where we don't know a soul. I'm currently living in temporary accommodation and have no chance of being housed where I currently live. I added myself to open housing lists all over the UK and have been offered a gorgeous little maisonette flat in Scotland on the edge of a small town about 30min from Glasgow. Lots of green space and a small school. Have visited and really liked it. My children's father doesn't want anything to do with them and hasn't since my youngest was born so that isn't an issue. I don't have family support and I haven't been happy for a long time here and have been wanting a fresh start but I'm nervous and it's taken a lot of guts for me to do this. Does anyone have any stories/tips about moving far away on your own? Especially with young DC. Or can anyone tell me their experience of living in Scotland? Making friends there? Thanks for reading x

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Divorcedalongtime · 03/05/2023 23:10

Great to hear you are settling in to your new adventure

Yolo12345 · 03/05/2023 22:53

Really moved to hear your update, OP. So very happy for you that it has worked out so well. If your kids are happy and settled then that really is half the battle.

I am sure you will meet some nice parents through your school. It will be a mixed bag and will take you some time to find your feet, no doubt, but you sound lovely so it's just a matter of time until you find your tribe. 💖

I love the phrase to clap a dug. 🤗

Original poster
PITH1 · 03/05/2023 22:30

Hi everyone, can't believe this thread has made it to classics 🙂 well I thought I'd give a little update seeing as it's been a little while since we arrived in Buchanan Station by coach in the early hours 😀 we are doing brilliantly! My daughter has heaps of friends at school now and I've never seen her so happy. The Scottish school system is child centred and play based and we no longer have anxiety and dread about going to school. Infact she loves it and looks forward to going every day! Her class is tiny which is crazy considering her old class had 30+ kids in and there were 3 of those classes in her year. In her own words "I am guaranteed to be with all my friends every day"! 😊 She is starting to copy some of the things her friends say and it's really funny and sweet. I'd not given it much thought before but I'm now wondering if she will have more of a Scottish accent than an English one. We are still learning new phrases all the time and a particular hilight was when someone asked my daughter if she wanted to give their dog a wee clap and she stood there looking confused and started giving it a round of applause 🤣😂 I have met a few mum's at the school now which is nice and I even got asked out by the carpet fitter 😄 I wish I could tell you it was a big love story but he wasn't my type. Nice guy though. My house is coming along slowly but surely. This is one of the best things I've done for me and my kids ♥️

OP posts:
MNHQ
DawnMumsnet · 03/05/2023 12:18

Hi PITH1, we've had a lot of requests for us to put your lovely thread in our Classics topic, so we're moving it on over if that's okay.

We hope that life's still going well for you and your DC Flowers

Original poster
PITH1 · 14/04/2023 15:28

Thank you so much 🥰 xx

OP posts:
SugarPlumpFairy3 · 13/04/2023 21:30

Happy birthday!

This thread had made me smile and warmed my heart SO much. You are absolutely amazing and I hope you’re proud of what you’ve achieved! LOVED that you snuggled the hamster on the coach 😆 great memories already and sounds like you’re going to make so many more.

wishing you and the children all the very best for your future xxx

Halfull · 13/04/2023 21:29

You’re inspirational! Happy birthday, I’m glad doing something so brave has worked so well for you. Your children are really lucky to have such a positive role model. Hope you’re really happy in your new home.

spring78 · 13/04/2023 20:54

I love this thread! Congratulations OP you deserve all this and more - love a happy ending xx

KatherineSiena · 13/04/2023 20:43

I’ve just come across your thread and have read it through. I wish you the happiest of birthdays and all the very best of luck for the future. You sound incredibly positive and cheerful and your children are so lucky to have you. 🤗

Original poster
PITH1 · 13/04/2023 20:34

Thank you ♥️ that's lovely. I too feel that there are great things ahead. I want to do driving lessons, I want to go to college. I want to start living as opposed to just existing and struggling like I was in the temporary accommodation. I do believe I can do all of these things x

OP posts:
Madamecastafiore · 13/04/2023 20:20

Happy Birthday, such a wonderful day, everything coming together and by the sounds of it you all enjoying your new life you made taking such a huge step all alone.

It's brought a tear to my eye reading your thread, so glad it's worked out for you and your children.

Please keep us updated. I feel that there's more to your story and great things ahead for you.

Crikeyalmighty · 13/04/2023 20:14

wishing you tons of goodwill- join everything going that is feasible even if it sounds unlikely on paper- sane with accepting invitations-as I've found if you justmake1 or 2 friends it makes all the difference

Original poster
PITH1 · 13/04/2023 20:06

Thanks everyone, your comments make me smile ♥️ today is my 31st birthday! First birthday in our new home 🏡 we put on some nice clothes and got the train to Glasgow for a Spoons 🤣 saving money for house bits atm so low key but we had a nice time 😊 bought caterpillar cake for when we got back 😂 and just eating the leftovers of that now whilst the kids are in bed before my bath. I still cannot get over that I have a bath and can shave my legs without having to get in to acrobatic positions! X

OP posts:
RaspberryCloud · 13/04/2023 16:45

Such a lovely thread! You're just up the road from my home town too Smile glad to hear you're settling in xxx

Ricco12 · 13/04/2023 16:29

Scotland is beautiful and much less crowded than England. You will love it here. Anytime I go to England I just can't wait to get home to Scotland.

sealon82 · 13/04/2023 12:01

19 years ago I moved over 100 miles from anyone I knew with my 2 year old son. Best decision I've ever made!
I went to every toddler group going and made friends really quickly.
Good luck!

maddy68 · 13/04/2023 11:14

I think this is my favourite thread ever. Scottish people are so kind too. You will Have hit the jackpot by moving there.

You are an inspirational lady and your children will be forever grateful (esp I for smuggling the hamster !)

Good luck xx

Rainbowqueeen · 13/04/2023 07:53

@horridjobescapee me too!! Let’s hope some more people do so Mumsnet HQ consider it

Sunshinenotrain · 12/04/2023 22:39

Love hearing your updates! I’m so pleased you are feeling settled in and you and your children are enjoying your new surroundings!

WakeMeUpInspring · 12/04/2023 21:35

Love this thread. Congrats on your move 🥳🥂

Lolaandbehold · 12/04/2023 21:14

My goodness this is a lovely thread, OP. What an inspiration you are to your weans :-)

Original poster
PITH1 · 12/04/2023 20:34

Thanks everyone ☺️ maybe I should make a blog as it could be useful for others considering doing the same. I had no chance of being housed in my old area and I know there are lots of people in that situation still. It was scary but I'm so pleased I went ahead xx

OP posts:
SocialLite · 12/04/2023 19:51

I just want to say this is the best thread I've ever seen on Mumsnet!

I love this so much!

I feel like you should make a blog, your story is amazing and I just want to spread it to the world.

I'm a social worker and I wish I saw outcomes like this more often in people's lives.

Feelinglow27 · 12/04/2023 18:04

You're a hero OP ! Smiling on the train reading this.

horridjobescapee · 12/04/2023 18:02

I have nominated this thread for classics.

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