Are there single parents where you live?

[DeadliestLampshade]

I became a single (co) parent to a 5 year old beginning of 2019 when my husband left and I’ve found it really hard to find others in a similar situation. I know statistically there are loads of single parents out there but there don’t seem to be many in a similar situation to me - 40 something, professional.

I live in a very family oriented area in N London and everyone seems to be in happy families - moving into ever larger houses!

It worries me as my son doesn’t see anyone around him in a similar family set-up - we are the only separated parents in his class at school for example.

Has anyone else found this where they live and how do you help your child become resilient and embrace their new family situation?

Agree with pp - wait til Year 3 they won't be the only one by then. Dd was the only one in reception but by Year 3 over 25% class had parents who'd split up (predominantly MC rural area)

There's one (that I'm aware of) in my DDs year. I take my hat off to her because she's doing an incredible job.

I know/have known lots of single parents - can't say I've ever given it a second thought tbh.

I've no idea about the other parents in either of my kids classes though, it's not something the kids generally discuss with each other and I don't really want/need to know about any of their personal situations...

You're similar to me op in that we've done it earlier than most people usually do mine are 5 and 8 and I know very few single parents - I'm the only one in my friendship group to have split (so far...) but I would also suggest you don't need to worry. Kids, especially young kids like yours, tend to accept what they find - step parents, same sex parents, one parent, transgender etc. They don't really question. I have asked my dc if they know of others with split parents but they don't seem to interested tbh. Avergse age of divorce is mid 40s, so we won't be alone for long in the single parents group.

I've found it even harder to find people who Co parent separated...

I was a single parent for 7 years, and remember feeling like you do. I had a couple of good friends who were also single parents - one was a colleague and another an old childhood friend. DS was the only child in his class from a single parent family - he went to a primary school in a conservative, middle class area. I enjoyed being a single parent in many ways - I suppose I was lucky to have a professional and part time job with good family support - but I do remember feeling “different” eg when on holiday or when we were inevitably given the crap table in a restaurant.

DS is now a teenager and it’s completely the opposite now - most of his friends parents are separated/divorced and I’m now married.

I recommend the Single Parents on Holiday website - not the cheapest, but you’ll meet loads of similar people. We did a couple of their ski trips which were fabulous.

DS also came home from school one day very pleased with himself. They’d been learning about different types of family in school, and the class had voted that single parent families were not real families. DS our his hand up and the teacher allowed him to stand up and give a little speech about our family, and how I did the role of both parents. The teacher then asked the class to vote again, and they all changed their minds!

*put

Kent/Sussex borders. V few lone parents . However almost non-existent in reception. Now they are Yr13+ it's much more common.