They don’t understand I choose to be single!

[Mamajo3]

I’m 35 with 2 dd’s aged 3 and 15 months. Last year their father left us and I’m so glad, he was lovely before we had children but once they came he became so jealous and controlling then he told me he didn’t love them and left (I think he’s in Greece now). Anyway I had to move to a smaller house and money is a bit tight but I’m loving focusing solely on my children BUT my friends and some of my family don’t seem to understand this especially my ‘best friend’ she keeps making snide comments about me being single and then just before the Easter holidays she was telling other mums in the playground (preschool) that I couldn’t find anybody and they all gave me pitying looks and told me not to worry. Thing is I’m not worried I like being on my own I honestly don’t want another relationship for at least 10 years, I mean if I happen to by chance meet someone and fall madly in love that would be different but for now I’m enjoying just being with my kids, am I crazy or is she being unreasonable?

She's jealous of you because you are in control of your life and she, very likely isn't. I was you many years ago and loved being a working single parent. I became incredibly picky about men, raised my boundaries hugely, didn't take any crap from anybody and eventually met a wonderful man, married and very, very happy.
You go girl!

Some women are a bit incapable and feel like they can’t function without a man. It probably makes her feel threatened that you’re strong and capable.

She's being horrible. I used to know someone like that a few years ago. I always found that the best way to take the wind out of her sails was to just smile and brush it off as if her comments were amusing. Try saying "oh no, I'm loving being single, I love the peace!" As well as annoying her with your lack of reaction you'll also get a few people (in relationships) saying they like the sound of that too. Then the conversation will just move on. Say something like it every time.

She's not a good friend, and for some reason I bet she's jealous of you. Maybe you seem confident and stronger than her do you think? It's her problem anyway, not yours.

Dump her! She's not your friend.

It’s this whole Disney narrative bullshit that still seems to addle everyone’s brains. It makes me so angry. You are more than entitled to be happy and single. Enjoy your children and don’t let anyone bring you down.

Tell your mate to stop gossiping and telling lies about you , what’s her problem?

You sound like you’ve got everything sorted, good for you.

She doesn’t sound like she’s your friend at all!

Good for you being happy with your kids, I think you should give this ‘friend’ a miss and let all the school mums know how great you’re doing on your own

I have been single since last May and honestly am not interested in another relationship. I think everyone thinks I am either lying or I am going to change my mind.

I think it is normal for others to think like this because so much in life from a very young age is about finding a partner and coupling up. Even the positive memes and quotes about being single gene it within the potential to couple up in the future, for example things that say it is better to be single while you wait for the right person to come along etc

I know exactly how you feel OP. Loads of my 'happily married' friends keep assuming I'm desperate to partner up with someone (yet admit to me how shit their relationships are when they've had a few...)
Another man in my life, fuck no.

Just jealous as you don't have to tidy after an adult,you choose what, where and when.You can sleep starshaped in bed and there is plenty of room if the little ones join you.
Enjoy.

She's jealous of you because you are in control of your life and she, very likely isn't

What bollocks. Every single problem a women has on MN, someone immediately says another woman is jealous. I'm sure OP is perfectly happy but no-one is jealous that her husband left the country leaving her with two small kids and having to leave her home and have less money.

Single women are a threat to male supremacy. If women decide they don't want to be owned by in relationships with men, who will cook and clean for men, suck their dicks and stroke their egos? This is the real reason behind all the endless propaganda about how dreadful it is for a woman to be single, poor thing...

Its really not