To become or not to become single parent

[lostinthejungle]

Hello, everyone, can anyone tell me if there is a thread out there that discusses whether or not to become a lone parent from early stages of pregnancy? Also, is there one that discusses the difficulties/joys of being lone parent of baby/small child when there is no man around at all? (Most of the threads here seem to be about the additional pain caused by idiot exes, or even absence of good exes.)

Asking for a friend (early 40s) who is trying to decide to go ahead with pregnancy or not. If she authorises I might also post for additional advice about her specific situation, which is a particularly difficult one.

Thanks so much, ladies!

From going on what the OP said, i.e. her friend has continued to work, has almost paid off a mortgage on a flat by the age of 40, and she sometimes has relapses - which may or may not be related to medication levels, it doesn't sound to me like the friend will need a 'a lot of support in managing her illness and to cope with the emotional impact of a child.'

Neither of us know softlyamber and neither of us should be guessing either. As I said earlier depresion is no barrier to successful parenting.

Well it would be a total lifestyle change, but a child brings that anyway.
I don't know what to say other than she really needs to make her mind up then relax into the decision, it sounds like another termination could send her over the edge.
There is no easy answer, I was absolutely terrified and just thought what will be will be and took no action, which of course resulted in my ds.
I also have suffered depression on and off through my adult life, and particularly pnd, however I think the situation I was in (where I was living with no support) had a hell of a lot to do with it.
Once I had come to terms with being pregnant, I could then allow myself to be happy about my decision, in fact I was overjoyed and revelled to a degree.
No-one else can make the decision for your friend though, as it is different for everyone.
ps, depression doesn't make me a bad parent, but sometimes being a grumpy bitch does