If you had to choose between being a single parent or

[spudholes]

never having children, which would you choose? Would you rather never have children or would you go it alone?

For those who are saying they would rather have remained childless than be a single mother - I assume you must have fantastic 'hands on' very involved/supportive partners who take their parenting role seriously. In that case it would seem daunting the idea of doing it all alone. I must say, I am jealous!

Unfortunately my exh (hence the ex) was not in any shape or form supportive or even interested in his children. My life became easier the
day I got rid of him!

I find the thread title a little insulting to single parents tbh. I get fed up of pity and 'I don't know how you do it' comments etc. It's not so bad, and I say this as someone with very limited gp support. And zero involvement/contact or financial support from ex waste of space.

I don't know.

Having children was a decision taken because of my broodiness at the time. I'm not sure I would have felt that had I not been with someone I loved though.

For those who are saying they would rather have remained childless than be a single mother - I assume you must have fantastic 'hands on' very involved/supportive partners who take their parenting role seriously. In that case it would seem daunting the idea of doing it all alone. I must say, I am jealous!

Yes I do have a very supportive DH. I knew that my partners, boyfriends what ever before DH would have either let me down or wouldn't have been as good as my dad was with us. It was DH who wanted children not me.

All I can say is that I answered the question from my own perspective and with my circumstances as they are. If DH had left me or he had died then clearly I would have had to cope.
It wasn't a case of being daunted about going alone. I had no wish to have children for many years and had DS1 to keep DH. That said, I love, love, love having a family and so glad I jumped into it at the last minute!

I was going to say single parent automatically, because I am one and find it very enjoyable and easy. But, I don't think I'd have set out deliberately to be a single parent IYSWIM. Having said that I am currently pregnant again and very much single, which for me wasn't a good enough reason to abort.

I became a single parent by choice so I did exactly what you're concerned about. Would do the same thing all over again if the circumstances were the same.

single parent - I've done it - my two girls are donor conceived. I was in my late thirties and it wasn't going to happen any other way. It is hard - dd1 has autism and ADHD and is very tricky - but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Caveat is that I worry about something happening to me, particularly given dd1's needs, and I am in a fairly privileged position financially - I don't have a massive income but I own our house and we live in a nice bit of London.