Single parent support thread - next few days

[Reachingforthesun]

I do love Christmas and DC is obviously delighted. Christmas isn't the same after my divorce and being a single parent is especially hard at this time of year. I also don't have a great relationship with family and no contact at all with other relatives (due to my mother pushing everyone away). I don't have many friends around me either. So this festive season is pretty tinged with sadness. I'm trying to keep a smile on my face and being grateful for what I do have. A wonderful DC who is healthy and happy, a good co-parenting relationship with ExH, my own health and good job to provide a safe roof over my head and everything we need. But I feel very lonely too and feel sad and desperate for people to show me kindness (that's so sad I know).

Anyone else in a similar boat and could use support thread to get through the next few days?

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post.

Oh just me then...

No, not just you. Gets easier.

@Reachingforthesun it does get better. My first Christmas as a single parent was difficult. I brought too much stuff as I was trying to make my children feel better. They are now 17 and 20 and happy. Here if you want to talk x

It’s my second as a single parent this year. I am so excited for it 🖤

Sorry you are feeling sad and lonely OP.
This is a very hard time for many people, you are definitely not alone. Although I know that is of no help to you.

Just know that things will not always be like this and you will have better times at Christmas in the future.

Wishing you and your child a lovely Christmas x

I am a single parent of three. I have my children 100% of the time. Christmas is very hard. I feel like I don't exist as a person, just a provider and facilitator of every single thing. I have €4 left in the bank, while my children's father owes thousands in unpaid child support. My children are warm, fed, and excited, but I am utterly broken by Christmas.

Sending hugs 🥰 It’s hard. It’s my first Christmas after separation and it’s really hard. It’s mostly just me and my youngest who is non verbal. I don’t have much of a support network, I do have my parents but they are very upset about the separation. My oldest has chosen to live with his Dad and have very limited contact with me. It’s the first Christmas Eve since he was born that I won’t see him, his Dad is actually working but he won’t see me or his sibling. It’s very lonely, I’m trying hard to be cheerful for my youngest who is happy and joyful. Life feel very hard right now, I just rang a help-line and had a good cry down the phone. But I have lots of Christmas food, a lovely warm house and my children have lots of presents to open on Christmas morning. Trying to be grateful.