Single mum, no friends, no support or money

[ashleigh8419]

I feel so depressed. I'm so socially isolated. My daughters dad isn't in her life and I have no friends. I can't go out to work as I have no childcare at all. I just sit in the house all day and I have no money. I can't work or do anything:( I love my daughter but it's so hard since her dad left I'm so alone I have no one and no help or friends. I feel like ending it at times.

That's horrible. I'm sorry you've found yourself in this situation.

Whereabouts in the country are you? If you're near me I'd love to meet up.

If your income is low you can get up to 70% of your childcare fees paid for by working tax credits. Is your child school age or younger?

Where are you? I'm in a similar situation. :(

Where are you? How old is your dc?

I'm in the stockton on tees area x

How old is your dd?

I'm a single parent to a dd, her dad isn't involved at all.

Could you look for a p/t job? You will get help with childcare costs through tax credits.

I live in stockton on tees x

She's 8 months

8 month

Hi OP sorry your feeling down, you can get help through tax credits with paying for a registered childminder or nursery so you can work. How old is your daughter?

x post
could you maybe find something with set hours in retail for 2 or 3 days a week?

8 months

That could also help with social side talking with colleagues etc.

I went back to work when my dd was 8 months, maybe have a look at what childcare options there are either nursery or childminders and then look at finding a job.

Being at home all day with a baby on your own is really hard, I needed to work for my own sanity!

There maybe a few baby/ toddler groups or children centres locally that offer ways to meet new people.

If you are feeling really low might be worth speaking to your G.P.

Are there any baby groups you and the baby can go to, to socialise for an hour or so a few times a week?

Even if you can't get to groups/meet friends/people/get a job, one really important thing you need to do every day is get outside! I really can't stress how important that is for your mental well being. Even if it's just in the garden for 20 minutes or sitting on a bench up the street. Do it. Take your baby in the pram and get outside. Set a timer for 20 minutes if you think you'll really struggle to stay out. But just do it. If that's the only target you set yourself every day do it. Really makes a massive difference.

Hello OP,

we are really sorry to hear you are feeling this way.

We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged up to us we usually add a link to our Mental Health resources here.

You can also go to the Samaritans website, or email them on [email protected].

Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek RL help and support as well.

We also like to remind everyone that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

We are going to move this thread to the Mental Health section shortly.

Can admin not amend the title to 'Stockton On Tees'

I don't live anywhere near there, sorry, but if I did, I would happily meet up and get you out of the house!

I live in Darlington and looking to meet other mums. I am 31 weeks pregnant. Happy to meet 😊

Have you thought about volunteering? There are lots of charities that have funds available to pay for childcare for people who volunteer for a day or two a week. It's a great way to get out, meet new people, build skills and get childcare paid at the same time. Good luck, parenthood is hard at the best of times without little RL support.

Afraid I'm nowhere near that :/

OP sorry you're having such a tough time. There are apps you can download for free that enable you to connect with other mums and mums to be in your area such as Mush. They are in the press quite a lot at the moment so their membership should be increasing. It would be worth downloading to see if there are any people in your area. I got it from Google play store but you can get it on Apple as well. It helps that you can get to know people before actually meeting up. And you don't need money to meet in the park or even at your house. It's hard when you feel alone. Even just chatting to someone online or by text can make a difference.