to be on the verge of a breakdown after 3 days of single-parenting...

[Odysseus]

DH has been working long shifts for the last 3 days and as such, has not seen DS at all. I am KNACKERED.

I would like to take my hat off to single parents who do this day in day out. UTTER RESPECT.

Pass me the wine.

Good lord.

Nobody said it was the same.

And yes, divorce can happen to anyone I suppose. But the harder you are to err live with, the more likely.

Whilst we are being all twitchy and reactional

Ok, I am not disputing the fact that the OP is full of admiration for single parents and has a better understanding etc. It's the fact that she implied that she has been a single parent for the last 3 days, when in fact, she hasn't. Call me pedantic, but that's the way it is.

How fekkin predictable!

Yes, its hard work, isn't it OP?

Fucking HELL come people really could pick a fight in a locked room with nobody else there.

And we're not all single parents through divorce.

I knew it would turn into this!

Yeah cos I really meant the bitter martyrs bit... My feelings are what I put in my OP and I stand by them. Take offence if you wish but you're misinterpreting it. I've obviously touched an SP sore point and for that I apologise. And yet I remain 'wow' at people who raise families alone. Good night!!!

It always does Shadeofviolet!

Sorry OP, it just winds me up, I realise this was supposed to be a well meaning thread.

Well actually she said 'single parenting' - as in parenting alone. She has been doing that.
Cordon - the op was moaning - saying she's knackered. What your post adds up to is that she isn't entitled to do so because she's not a Single Parent full time. If that's not what you meant then maybe consider sitting on your hands the next time somebody tries to hand you a compliment.

don't want to get shot down here but yes being a single parent is hard as is being a parent with a partner - why are we arguing over who has it the hardest.

I sometimes wonder if being a single parent would be easier - only cooking for me and the kids, no extra clothes to wash, dishes to do - and hopefullly a nice ex who would take the kids every other weekend!!!!!

Seriously i'm joking but i think the OP is getting a hard time when all she wanted to say was she admires those who have to cope on their own!

As a single parent I'll accept any praise I can get - theres no one else about to give me any

So are you not allowed to moan about being a single parent if you are in fact divorced and have a ex-H who pays maintenance and takes the kids for weekends/nights/holidays etc

In your profile you say you like being a single parent cordonbleurgh. I guess you like it cos it give you the chance to lord it up over all the whingeing slackers who have someone to share the load with. I see you are only 23. I suggest you grow up a little. Oh and I didn't mean that in a nasty way, its just that you seem incredibly immature.

I admire all single parents. Even having OH take my son for 10 mins whilst I sit down and have a cup of tea is a life saver.

oh fgs All parents are entitled to moan about how knackered they are, single or not. But don't compare yourself to a single parent if you have a DP/DH.

I'm not arguing over who has it hardest, I'm objecting to someone likening looking after their own kids for a few hours to being a single parent.

She said SINGLE PARENTING - the act of parenting which she was doing alone for the past three days. She wasn't bigging herself up in comparison to single parents who parent alone for much if not all of the time - in fact she was commending them

Namey, that is actually incredibly patronising.

Yes, I do like being a single parent, I've done it for so long now that I would actually find it very difficult to have to share responsibility for DD or the house with another adult. I like it because I get to do things my way, not have to run everything past someone else, and run the risk of disagreeing on how best to proceed with something, finances or discipline for example.

Ihave not once called anyone on this thread a "whingeing slacker", those are your words not mine at all.

What about when my dh has to go away for 4 months - am i allowed to moan, suppose i can still speak to him when he is able to get to a phone - no weekends off for me though. I still have a dh but he won't be here would i be allowed to admire single parents

Hear, hear Northernlurker for much wisdom.

FWIW, I think the point the op made was well-meant, not patronising and in fact points how how effing well sps do - in contrast to what is usually said about them.

Obviously, being a sp is (often, but not always) harder than having sole responsibility for a discrete period but for someone to be rounded on for saying how sodding hard it must be, and RESPECT, is hardly a bad thing?!

I know she was commending them Northern I've already acknowledged that.

We clearly have different definitions of the term "single parenting"

I'll take the compliment OP - as being single I don't get many!!!

Agree though as others have said you just get use to it as a way of life. I have DS and it's been me and him since he was 13 months old and he's now 6 . I have often commented to my married friend that I don't know how she does it and that I've probably become selfish in a way.E.g. I eat my dinner when I want not at a certain time because DP/H comes home etc.

Yes evenings can be lonely but I'm doing a degree so study in the evenings (open Uni) and at work during the day so plenty to keep me occupied

Its probably more tiring when your use to someone else taking on some small jobs but adapting to being a LP takes more than 3 days!!