Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To absolutely love days like this, and I’m a single parent!

85 replies

Lassolarry1980 · 04/04/2021 15:55

Sun is shining, it’s warm.
Patio doors open.
One child playing, the other doing school project
Slow cooker on
I’ve caught up on housework.
I have pottered and read paper.
We went for a long walk with a friend and her children after lunch and there were markedly more people out. Strolling, chatting... smiling!
My son got to play rugby with his team for the first time in.... forever and loved every second of it. Came back on a high and wolfed down an enormous roast.
Easter egg hunt (with hindsight, far too challenging to have options include house, garage, shed, garden and attic!)

And I’m about to unwrap my new sun loungers.

It feels... good.
Life feels good.

OP posts:
Vivana · 04/04/2021 18:51

Single parent but had to do a 10 hour shift today Sad

Grumpylate20s · 04/04/2021 18:53

@Happycat1212

I’m a single parent to 4 and I hate how everything falls on me, I really just can’t enjoy it like others seem to, glad others enjoying themselves though Easter Smile
4? Wowza that must be tough for all.
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 04/04/2021 19:21

@Jangle33

Aren’t you great...sounds a little self indulgent thing to share OP when a lot of people are struggling at the moment
REALLY?!
kittycorner · 04/04/2021 21:08

Another single parent having a lovely day! Good weather, sunshine, a rare weekend off work, mostly happy dc, very good updates from teachers recently about how well they are doing. Happy eldest agreed to take a couple days off from revising. Plus I'm having chips n' dip. Hoping for another lovely day tomorrow before reality strikes again!

Great post, @Lassolarry1980!

CallSignCharlie · 04/04/2021 21:24

Just adding that I’ve had a fab day with my teen DS . Walk on the beach with my parents then home for roast lamb which was, and I quote ‘best tasting thing ever, mum”
He will be off to his dads for a few days next week but today I’ve just enjoyed seeing him with his grandparents for the first time in months and generally having a lovely day
Let’s celebrate these single parent moments

Moonface123 · 04/04/2021 21:38

Yes, another sing!e parent here, enjoying the beautiful sunshine. My 15 yr old son made me breakfast in bed which was a lovely surprise, l normally start work at 6.00 am,. Worked friday and sat, off today, back tomorrow.
I pottered in my garden, then met my sister for a nice walk, then we went over to my Mums garden and painted her new fence, came back and cooked roast dinner. My eldest went out on his bike then played football over the park, so all in all a good day.

MNWorldisCrazy · 04/04/2021 21:50

As a single parent (one of many who is scarily close to pressing the big red button), I have to say that this thread is tasteless & thoughtless.

So so so soooooo many of us single parents are indescribably struggling at the moment.

Original poster
Lassolarry1980 · 05/04/2021 06:17

@MNWorldisCrazy

As a single parent (one of many who is scarily close to pressing the big red button), I have to say that this thread is tasteless & thoughtless.

So so so soooooo many of us single parents are indescribably struggling at the moment.

Perhaps best to avoid any threads with with words “absolutely love days like this” and “single parent” in it?!

Along with avoiding any threads or chat or tv programmes or indeed anything where there’s a glimmer of happiness because after all- someone out there is struggling.

I’m not ashamed to admit I’m happy and I’m a single parent and I love hearing others share their happy Easter weekends. Sorry yours has been crap but I’m not even the slightest bit sorry or guilty that mine wasn’t crap and that i started this thread to hear others lovely experiences.

OP posts:
Pickledpenguin · 05/04/2021 06:19

OP you should not feel guilty. Its a refreshing thread and lovely to see that despite everything some people had a nice easter :)

Original poster
Lassolarry1980 · 05/04/2021 06:21

@Pickledpenguin

OP you should not feel guilty. Its a refreshing thread and lovely to see that despite everything some people had a nice easter :)
Thank you

I don’t even feel the teeniest tiniest guilty!

OP posts:
Pickledpenguin · 05/04/2021 06:25

Nor do i for having a great weekend. I hate asshats that feel the need to bring others down. Im up early drinking coffee and plans to head out to the beach as soon as DC gets up and start our day with a nice long walk then roasting a chicken for lunch and this evening will be easter eggs on the couch snuggled up watching a movie. Bliss. We have had a hard few months so definitely deserved a nice weekend :)

Original poster
Lassolarry1980 · 05/04/2021 08:19

@MNWorldisCrazy

Oh I have done great news for you! It will make your heart soar with happiness.... my eldest has woken up complaining of really bad ear pain.

Now, feel a bit better?

OP posts:
Original poster
Lassolarry1980 · 05/04/2021 08:20

Because the fact my poor son has an ear infection doesn’t mean I’m pissed off that others may have lovely Easter Mondays planned and wouldn’t smile to read about happy experiences.

OP posts:
GrubbyGruber · 05/04/2021 08:27

The image of single parents have an unrelentingly hard time and the children cooking from broken homes is often so far from the truth

Yes this annoys me too! There was a thread yesterday where OP said she felt like a single parent because her husband did nothing with their DC and was always at work and whilst obviously it's not the same as being a single parent, it was almost as if posters thought all single parents were desolate and miserable and only just scraping by on £20 a month. You're not allowed to be single parent who does alright and quite enjoys it Smile

midnightstar66 · 05/04/2021 08:43

Oh I have done great news for you! It will make your heart soar with happiness.... my eldest has woken up complaining of really bad ear pain.

Ah balance is restored. See it as punishment OP for daring to consider being happy!

On a serious note I hope your dc is better soon. I'm sure you'll make sure he has a lovely day regardless.

Stealthynamechange · 05/04/2021 08:46

Thanks for posting op, great to see a positive single parent thread. I'm a single mum, find it incredibly hard at times but wonderful at others. We have also had a lovely happy weekend ds, ddog, dcat & i 🥰

Pickledpenguin · 05/04/2021 08:54

@GrubbyGruber

The image of single parents have an unrelentingly hard time and the children cooking from broken homes is often so far from the truth

Yes this annoys me too! There was a thread yesterday where OP said she felt like a single parent because her husband did nothing with their DC and was always at work and whilst obviously it's not the same as being a single parent, it was almost as if posters thought all single parents were desolate and miserable and only just scraping by on £20 a month. You're not allowed to be single parent who does alright and quite enjoys it Smile

Years ago i had a woman tell me shes basically a single parent cos hubbie is out working from 8-6. No thought process whatsoever to the fact sge could be a sahm because he supported them financially, was there evenings and weekends to physically support and all the time there for mental and emotional support.
Original poster
Lassolarry1980 · 05/04/2021 08:55

@midnightstar66

Oh I have done great news for you! It will make your heart soar with happiness.... my eldest has woken up complaining of really bad ear pain.

Ah balance is restored. See it as punishment OP for daring to consider being happy!

On a serious note I hope your dc is better soon. I'm sure you'll make sure he has a lovely day regardless.

Yes I will Because sometimes things aren’t great but as a single parent there is no one to pick up the slack if you’re feeling a bit “off”.

So.... DS curled up, dosed go on calpol, watching his fav film munching on dry cereal.

And DD about to go out for a bike ride.

I’ve got yesterday’s paper and coffee on the go. Ans managed to squeeze in a quick HIIT.

Will we have a gloriously happy day? No. My son clearly is not well. Will I make the best of it? Yes. Will I be bitter about others having “better” days? No.

Enjoy all.

And @MNWorldisCrazy. For you and your children’s sake... I hope today is better

OP posts:
Pickledpenguin · 05/04/2021 08:57

Ah your poor son. Ear infections are awful.

Mine still in bed so Im cuddled up to the dog who has hayfever and is miserble bless him.

OverTheRubicon · 05/04/2021 09:00

@Steptoeshorse1965

I think if we all sit back and think a while, life is not really that bad despite all the shit out there presently.
So glad to hear the stories.

This one pisses me off though, because by saying 'all' it totally dismisses those who are actually having a really shit time. It's not the place for sob stories, because it's a lovely thread, but do have some empathy.

For me, life is also pretty good today, though Smile

Itsalonghaul · 05/04/2021 09:05

Spring is here, the feeling of hope and renewal and the worst is behind us is wonderful! I felt particularly happy this weekend, with the countryside now flowering and unfurling, a lovely long summer awaits.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 05/04/2021 09:20

@GrubbyGruber

The image of single parents have an unrelentingly hard time and the children cooking from broken homes is often so far from the truth

Yes this annoys me too! There was a thread yesterday where OP said she felt like a single parent because her husband did nothing with their DC and was always at work and whilst obviously it's not the same as being a single parent, it was almost as if posters thought all single parents were desolate and miserable and only just scraping by on £20 a month. You're not allowed to be single parent who does alright and quite enjoys it Smile

Absolutely! I love being single, much prefer it to being married. I get on well with my ex and he sees DS regularly, so I get some "me" time. My job is flexible so I can be there for all school pick ups. I do OK financially, far from wealthy but have a small mortgage and enough spare for some fun money. And I can do whatever I want without having to consider another adult's feelings.

I really like my life. In non Covid times at least! Grin

Maverickess · 05/04/2021 09:31

Nice to read a positive thread, even if some people have taken exception to someone else being happy when they're not.
Worked the BH weekend myself, nights, though off tonight after my 5 stint. Not the best BH weekend I've ever had, but grateful it wasn't the worst by a long shot.
Residents have been just lovely for the most part, some got families to drop off big bags/tubs of sweets for us so the diet went out the window this weekend, and I feel appreciated and loved by the people I care for and work with today - that can be a rare feeling in my job!
Worked with a great team, had some real belly laughs, and know that I've done a good job as a single mum because my 17 yo has looked after themselves, the animals and the house meaning I don't have to do housework after 12 hour shifts or worry about walking dogs and feeding them.
Grateful for what I've got and achieved right now, I was up shit creek with no paddles and a hole in the boat this time last year, I understand that some people still are, but I'm buggered if I'm going to be miserable because of it, I think it's a bit of an insult to not be grateful for realising you've got it better than you did, and better than some others, being grateful and happy about your situation doesn't mean you can't sympathise and empathise with those who are having a tough time, but neither of those things require you to not appreciate and be happy about your own moment in time if that's how you feel.

Mojoj · 05/04/2021 09:32

@Jangle33 ffs lighten up! What? Is no'one allowed to be happy anymore? Just 'cos you're clearly miserable, no need to try and drag everyone else down with you. Away and make yourself a nice cuppa and listen to the birds singing. Be happy!

CelestialGalaxy · 05/04/2021 09:33

Yes! I have taken a full week off work which i don't usually, but i have been feeling a bit detached from things after so long juggling everything (single parent). As a PP said i have been doing minimal, but yesterday I did a cryptic egg hunt for dc and then we packed a picnic and the bikes, drove to bike trail that we haven't dared to go on (due to what definition of local meant) and enjoyed trail/playpark/picnic and then went to dm house for roast and dc ate all their food without nagging! Bliss.