Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think I'm NOT a single mum...

67 replies

LiamsMummyJaz · 17/02/2012 14:18

Me and my friend were discussing yday getting married before kids.. I personally as long as the parents are in a stable loving relationship doesn't think it matters as long as there are plans for marriage in the future (I wanted to get married while I was pregnant but DP wants a 'do' and wants DS to be involved) But my friend said... 'well your a single mum.. Your not married..'
I argued the toss that I wasn't, but am I wrong? Am I classed as a 'single mum' to people because I'm not married?

OP posts:
LiamsMummyJaz · 17/02/2012 14:18

Don't not doesn't sorry!

OP posts:
hanaka88 · 17/02/2012 14:19

You're not a single mum.

LilacWaltz · 17/02/2012 14:20

Does your partner live with you?

Pseudo341 · 17/02/2012 14:20

Single mum implies raising the kids on your own, she's nuts.

Pandemoniaa · 17/02/2012 14:21

If you are living with someone and have children with them then no, of course you aren't a single parent. Marital status has nothing to do with it. To be honest, it matters nothing whether you plan to marry or not either.

Becky36 · 17/02/2012 14:21

Definitely not a single mum. You are with your DP and have/having a child together. IMO you are a single mum if you are not in a relationship with the father of your children.

nickelDorritt · 17/02/2012 14:21

you're not.
you have a stable relationship with a partner who shares the household and childcare.

YusMilady · 17/02/2012 14:21

I don't think it matters even if there aren't plans for marriage in the future. To me, a single parent is a parent without a partner, of whatever kind.

Hotpotpie · 17/02/2012 14:21

Your not a single mum but I notice that on all legal paper work your classed as single - Im down as single on my pregnancy notes even tho OH is very much on the scene

Pandemoniaa · 17/02/2012 14:23

I'm single. But that doesn't stop me being in a partnership and considering us to be a couple. Marital status is immaterial.

nickelDorritt · 17/02/2012 14:24

single woman, not single mum.

LiamsMummyJaz · 17/02/2012 14:24

Grin thank you! I have every intention of getting married but my DP wants the big white wedding with all the trimmings and a honey moon. While I just want to go to the register office on saturday and just do it with my parents as witnesses. I was thinking of applying for 'Don't tell the bride' haha.

But yes thank you for proving me indeed correct as I do live with DP and love him dearly.

OP posts:
Ephiny · 17/02/2012 14:24

You're can't be single if you have a partner, surely? And you can't be a single mum if you're not, well, single? Confused

Whether marriage before children is a good idea is a separate question of course (I guess it's a valid decision either way, as long as you both know your legal rights etc).

JustHecate · 17/02/2012 14:24

No. You are not a single mum

You aren't single.

You just aren't married.

LiamsMummyJaz · 17/02/2012 14:25

And no I don't think wedding bells in the future matter. It's just I would personally like to get married! Sorry that did come across wrong!

OP posts:
Petrean · 17/02/2012 14:25

If you and your partner raise the children together and from the same home... You are not a single mum.

WorraLiberty · 17/02/2012 14:29

What Hecate said

You're not a single Mum or a single Woman...you're an unmarried Mum.

kodachrome · 17/02/2012 14:31

No you're not a single parent.

You might want to make sure that you are legally & financially protected in the event of a split or your dp's death, if you're not already, especially if you're a sahm. I know it sounds gloomy, but shit does happen.

HelloShitty · 17/02/2012 14:34

Although I'm fiercely unmarried, we've been together 10 years, live together and raise our DCs together, AND I don't consider myself single. Your friend is wrong.

NotWell · 17/02/2012 14:38

You are not a single parent no. Your children have two parents in the home with them. You are a co-habiting COUPLE....not one parent.

LiamsMummyJaz · 17/02/2012 14:41

Well we have a Joni bank account so we're halfway there Grin

OP posts:
LiamsMummyJaz · 17/02/2012 14:41

Bloody predictive!! Joint not Joni !!

OP posts:
Tuppenyrice · 17/02/2012 14:42

Your friend is trivialising what you have and assumes marriage is the "correct" way. Which is nice.
I once had a friend like this. She called my DS a "bastard" as my partner and I haven't married. Charming eh?
As I said, I used to have a friend like that Wink

HappyMummyOfOne · 17/02/2012 14:44

I'd say unmarried as you are not single as you are in a relationship.

RevoltingPeasant · 17/02/2012 14:46

HelloShitty you have the Best. Name. Ever.

No you are not a single mum and your friend is making some kind of obscure Point-with-a-capital-P imo. Ignore.