the great bits about being single

[without]

It's all too easy for us lone parents to moan (often rightly) about being single, but there are benefits.
So, my top 5 are:-

having the bed all to myself
owning as many pairs of shoes as I want to
guilt free lie-ins when I can get them
having control of the TV remote
not feeling bad if I bring work home

Your turn!

5 isn't enough! but here are some:

1. I don't have to scrutinise every dish on a take away menu for ages and then have to compromise and get the same as usual [something plain with half a ton of lard floating round on top of it].

1. I don't feel self conscious or 'plain' about what I wear anymore, I am more confident [in fact more confident in every possible way] and am v.happy that I will never ever have to 'try to be sexy' and wear a thong ever again.

1. My future is all mine, I can do what I want and go where I want[in theory anyway].

1. I don't have to pay out for flashy techy stuff-I am happy with my old and very small TV and ancient stereo.

1. I actually spent more time in bed alone when I was with ex, so now I can say that it's great when the children sneak in and cuddle up in the night and I am not made to feel guilty about it!

1. Not having to plan around anybody else. I can do what I want whenever - children permitting of course.

1. I can raise the children my way

1. My house is so much easier to keep clean and tidy without all his stuff - and I get double the wardrobe space now!

1. I have control over my money!

1. I am SOOOO much less stressed already, and its only been 6 weeks!!

This thread is probably really good for me (see my recent thread for details) so here's my go:
(fyi I have sole custody and ex doesn't pay maintenance etc so I don't get many days/nights off at all hence mine are a bit different)

1. my ds has never heard a row in his life

1. breakfast at weekends in dressing gowns together - no time pressures to get anywhere, just pottering and a very chilled time where he makes me laugh a lot!

1. buying a new pair of shoes and not having to hide the receipt (for this also add outfit for ds/toy for ds/moisturiser etc etc...)

1. dating. coming home after fab night out with lovely guy with big grin on face and feeling like a teenager, then popping into ds's room before bed and having nighttime kiss. Realising that you are loved in many ways by different people and that they are all good...

1. that no matter how bad it gets, if the ex had stayed life would have been hell and your ds/dd would have been damaged. But they're not are you are the one responsible for that.

So have your (guilt free, no one's watching) glass or two of wine and celebrate. xx

For my five:

1. I love the feeling of coming home at night after work, shutting the door and knowing, if we want cheese on toast for tea, and in front of the tv thats fine.

1. Going for days out on the spur of the moment, like yesterday Warwick Castle.

1. I can have a lazy day whenever I like, don't have to put make up on etc, etc.

1. Everything I own is mine, yes I have to be careful with the money but thats ok, we have all that we need.

1. To feel totally at ease when friends pop in for coffee, and end up staying for dinner and drinks, or the night, at least we have a laugh.

1. No more picking up after a grown man
2. A happy, peaceful atmosphere for me and the children
3. No more having to suffer his poor hygeine- smelly feet, terrible wind.
4. No more listening to negativity, swearing, bitterness
5. I can have whoever I want in my house whenever I want without listening to his complaints

I feel like a big weight has been lifted, I'm happy and positive and excited about our future :)