To think that single parents are often given sympathy when it's not needed.

[Mamabear144]

As a single parent I genuinely think people feel sorry for us which is so unnecessary. It makes sense if the person had a partner and then had to adjust but when you are a single parent from day one it's all you know in the life of parenthood.
Personally I have had people ask how I do it and not have breaks and not go out but I see it as I get to give my ds double the love, double the attention, double the fun and I get double the hugs and kisses.
Sometimes we don't have the time or energy to do things but that's probably every parent at some point in time.
Would love to hear everyone's opinions?

Because when he's not working away he's there helping with bedtime, washing the dishes, doing laundry, helping with homework, doing the school run, going to parents night/school concerts/shared start, he's doing activity drop offs & pick ups, letting you crash early because the kids have run you ragged all day & if you hear them say mum once more you feel like your head will explode and whether he's there or working away he's financially & emotionally contributing to & supporting you, your DC & your household.

Natasha, how do you know Pink’s DH does all that when he’s home?! When I was married and my XH worked away, he was like a spare part when he came home. He didn’t know what needed doing when, was constantly in the way as I’d got used to him not being there, and he was always ‘too tired’ from travelling to be of any use and too busy doing ‘oh so important’ jobs in the garage to do anything in the house. It’s one of the reasons we split up, as I realised I WAS to all intents and purposes a single parent, but because he was earning the money I had to answer to him if I spent any of it. Once we split I got child maintenance and he has no say over how I spend it.

Women are not always better off either financially or emotionally, when married. You’re very naive to imply that they are.

What was the point of your thread because I really don't get it. You have it easy in the world of 'single mums', so yes, you don't deserve sympathy, but you also don't represent the average single parent.

I can fathom what discussion you expected to come out of your first post.

Women are not always better off either financially or emotionally, when married. You’re very naive to imply that they are.

I haven't implied any such thing. I'm also aware that some women are married to arseholes (I was myself) but having an arsehole for a husband still isn't the same as being a single parent.