To feel like I'm a social leper because I'm a single parent?

[OhioOhioOhio]

I feel like my kids will never fit in because I don't have the energy or time to entertain more kids and give my own family a higher level of cudos in the community.

Sorry. Feeling sorry for myself today.

I don't really know what to say, I'm no good at advice, but I'm a single mum too. I am proud to be one, I do everything and I get everything. I don't have to share her with anyone! I'm fairly certain your kid(s) are happy as fuck and you need to give yourself a break. You certainly aren't a social leper. I bet you're lovely.

I mean this is the nicest possible way but I don’t think anyone cares. So your a single mum? I would absorb that information and then forget about it, too busy thinking about my own life like 99.99% of the population.
Just be friendly and pleasant with other people give your kids lots of love and they and you will be fine.
I absolutely promise this and I am old enough to have known a lot of people

Honestly don’t know what you are on about. I’m a single parent, two kids, chronic illness and varying health issues. We have other kids over on good days. We stay on our own at home on not so good days. My being a single parent had nothing to do with mine (or theirs) social standing.

I'm a single mum to two. I'm the only one in my circle of friends without a partner. It doesn't affect my kids social life - I don't see how it would really, speaking as someone who dragged one to the others rugby practice every Sunday morning for years, you just do what you have to do - but I definitely am excluded from certain couply social occasions. But I don't understand what you mean about kudos.

What age are you and what age are your kids @OhioOhioOhio ?

I used to feel like this when my DC were at primary school and I was walking to the school gates while all the sahm arrived in their 4x4s. Some were nice and saw past my 'poverty' and lack of social status.

My advice is to get a job even if it doesn't leave you much better off. You'll be mixing with people not Mums. Mums of very young children are the worst in the world for othering a single mother. All of the adult socialising is done in couples.

I think it gets better as the kids get older. My kids are teens so I never see any of the parents at their secondary schools. I'm in touch with some lovely ones from their primary school days. I know a mixture of people now. And the fact that I'm a single parent is not as significant as it once was/felt.

Not saying it's not crap though! If you are feeling less than, think about silencing your inner voices.

I dialogued with mine over the years.

Thank you. Still divorcing bastard ex so finding life a challenge. I guess I see all the 'happy' couples and it looks so much easier. Having someone to bounce off with banter and frivolity. I'd like to have had a Christmas shindig but the hard work and responsibility of hosting on your own.

I can't imagine many people will care that much whether you're a single parent, in a relationship, married, or amicably co-parenting to be honest.

If you're happy and your children are happy, who cares?

Literally no-one cares! I promise.

Pineapple

How did you dialogue with your inner voice?

I care.

I care

That’s not what you said in your OP. Nobody cares if you’re a single parent. Some of the couple parents I know never do play dates.

Get your kids to have a friend over, shove a pizza in the over. I don’t think you need kudos in the community for your kids to fit in.

I used to feel like this when my DC were at primary school and I was walking to the school gates while all the sahm arrived in their 4x4s. Some were nice and saw past my 'poverty' and lack of social status.

^ this is my current situation. I live in an affluent area and I’m the only single parent in my kids classes and the only one of all their friends mums who doesn’t drive a Range Rover!
It’s very hard at times. I work full time and when I’m not at work my time is spent doing everything else that needs done. Whereas my kids friends mums are SAHMs and they are great at play dates and activities with their kids and friends after school. It just wouldn’t fit my schedule unfortunately.

I get every bit of your OP, I really do!

What Rainwilds said. for all the awesone lone parents.

Yabu its not 1950s

Glitteryone

Yes. That's exactly what I mean.