To think being a single parent makes some things almost impossible?

It’s not really the single parent part then. It’s having no support at all. I’d imagine many of you would be in the same situation even if you had a partner but they worked away. It has been a bit of a shock to see how many feel like that or live like that without anyone for support. It’s bound to affect the kids too.

Being a single parent is nothing like having a partner who works away at all. At all. You still have someone on the end of the phone if nothing Else then to share fears etc with. You have their income if you have to take time off work. It’s completely not the same whatsoever !

a village would be great but as a working mum of 4 and also a child with asd/adhd who is at her limit with what I have going on between work/school/home appointments I’m not sure where I’d build this village, I’m temp accommodation where my neighbours are all polish and don’t speak to us? At school where other mums avoid me due to my son?

being a single parent to a sen child is a lot! It’s exhausting, isolating and upsetting. But wonderful it’s so easy to just find random people to help me look after my asd son overnight just in case?

glad things worked out op, scary at time and I think you did the right thing and I hope things improve for you, it’s tough!!!

@HighlandPony I've done both (partner working away, lone parenting) and lone parenting is way way harder. When my partner was working away, we would speak in the evenings, I had someone to offload to and in our case he would come back on weekends which was quite fun. Lone parenting is just relentless and @Eeksteek I agree, we climb mountains on a daily basis!

@Faithin Glad to hear it all worked out in the end for you and btw your an amazing mum!

Oh OP I get you. Single parent of 4 here, and 3 of them have ASD/suspected ASD. Even simple things like nipping to the shop can be a massive struggle depending on the mood my children are in.
The thought of taking them all to A&E for hours fills me with dread, so you have my absolute sympathies. I hope you and your DCs are all ok.

@HighlandPony

Other posters are correct. It's nothing like having a partner working away. One of the key differences is that typically, only the parents really care (at a deep level) about stuff to do with the kids, especially the minutiae that makes up a lot of life with kids. (Even if they are caring friends or family).

As wingingit said, just having someone to off load to is massively helpful. Someone who is (hopefully) equally invested in your DC

Equally I see separated parents who co-parent well & so much of the stress we've heard here is minimised.

I really don't like the 'bound to affect the kids' line - what do you mean? I suppose my DC are aware it all falls to me & there are times certain things aren't possible, but broadly I make it work, and they're fine, thanks. I am able to get lifts etc for their sports, now they are older & I can more easily reciprocate. But yes, emergencies etc still have to be dealt with by me, alone.