Hating being a single parent

[DingleDangleSc]

Newly single parent to SN younger child and older child. Finding all very difficult, lonely and generally a bit shit! Oldests comes and goes so it’s mainly just me and my youngest who is non verbal. Today my ex will be dropping my youngest off as I’ve been working but I can’t help grieving for my old life, all of us together, chatting to my ex about my day and making food for the whole family.

I adore my youngest but I can’t have a conversation with him and my teenager just does his own thing. I miss my old life and the coziness of family life, watching TV together and not feeling so alone.

It will feel like this for a while, then you'll be glad of the peace and wonder how you ever lived with anyone! It's hard, but you can do it.

It probably depends on why you split. 🤷‍♀️

Not shocked the oldest wants to escape, you need to make a new life for yourself.

@Skybluepinky wow that’s just nasty.

This sounds really tough. I know my relatives with a child with additional needs are very reliant on each other, so I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for you by yourself. Have you got friends/family to talk to? Is your ex looking after your younger child regularly? I suppose I’m wondering/hoping that you have a. People to talk to/get emotional support from and b. If your child is in education/goes to other parent occasionally, allowing you to have a break from what can be very full on in my relatives experience anyway.

What a horrible thing to say!!!

I understand OP, that sounds really hard. I'm currently on my first holiday as a single parent, only a few days long, but its very lonely. I'm fairly new to all this, and while i know it will get easier, its still hard right now

Thank you ☺️ We share custody of our youngest so when I’m working my ex has DS, 2-3 nights per week. My son is in full time school and he has his grandparents (my parents) who adore him. I have quite a few friends who I can see for coffees and meals out etc after work or when he’s in school. It’s still pretty lonely day to day though as ex and I were company for each other and could share the load.

Thanks 💕 Hope you enjoy your holiday. I’m taking my youngest away on my own soon which will be hard but there’s loads of stuff where we are going that he will enjoy. It’s hard in the evening where we see lots of big families together enjoying a drink together but I adore DS, he’s a joy to spend time with.

Wow! That’s a bit much! Oldest is a teenager so he is happier doing his own thing and spending time with his friends, you know, typical teenage behaviour!

I survived the holiday, and we did have fun, si much so I'm considering booking a summer holiday there for next year. Have fun on your holiday, I'm sure you'll have a fab time!