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So fed up. A little rant...

6 replies

Grockle · 18/05/2011 09:33

I'm so tired of doing everytyhing by myself. Of having to think of it all. I'm not even single any more but DP lives 30 miles away and I feel like I'm having to do everything for him too. I'm not - he hoovers & irons sometimes. But I'm worn out from sorting school uniforms, putting things away, constantly having to tell everyone to do everything. Even on mother's day, I invited my family round and made them all a big brunch then took them out for a walk. No-one did anything for me at all that day - not one cup of tea - and that's how it is every day. I'd just like someone to make me dinner, just once.

I love DS to bits and DP but tbh, it's no different to being single, really. It's just another person to look after - another meal to cook, someone else to clean up after. I realise I'm being unreasonable, I'm just tired and fed up. Sometimes I cope well with all this and othertimes it just feels like too much. Gah.

I think I need to be reminded what is good about being a lone parent.

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ClaireC76 · 18/05/2011 09:53

oh dear - I'm not stalking you honest! Just went through unanswered questions to see which ones I can relate to! (i'm new here)

I think you're well overdue a rant! Mothers day is for you! Totally understand being upset about that. I definitely would be. It's only one day is that too much to ask? Oh mind...then there's your birthday and...no actually thats it. Two days a year when it should be about you!

Even when you're living with your partner though it can be less than perfect. My ex's mother used to seriously milk Mothers day and would kick up a huge fuss if her sons (aged 30 and 32!!) didn't spend the whole day with her, including staying over the night before and then staying till the early hours of that day (booze was flowing so they couldn't drive home!). I got completely ignored while she had us all taking her out for lunch, flowers, gifts, etc etc. See why he's my ex? Oh the shame that I actually let that happen! Confused

Things were much easier when I was a single parent. Doing things my way on my schedule, not having to explain anything to anyone, spending quality time with the kids doing what we enjoy, going out at last minute just because, disciplining the kids my way without conflict....aahhh it was lovely...

...you've now got me questioning why on earth I moved in with my current partner a few weeks ago! Hmm

Claire

pickyourbrain · 18/05/2011 12:01

Wow - I totally get this. I do all the 'wifework' in our house, I remember important dates and arrrangements for me, DP, DD, DSD and my ex Confused I am the one who makes sure the extended family is kept happy, I cook when they visit, send birthdays cards and buy gifts, remember due dates, I make sure DD and DSD have done their homework, keep an eye on when they need new things (clothes/ toilettries DSD's tampons etc). I remember things that DD has on even on the weekends she is with her dad as he will never remember and she will miss out. I email him all the school holiday dates and the dates that he is in charge of sorting childcare, then i have to remind him at least twice else he'll forget, I buy his birthday/ fsathers day/ christmas gifts from DD and do i ever get one?? NO! AND I work more than full time.

I'm not even a lone parent as such anymore because I live with DP. We have a cleaner and all the other housework is shared between us so on paper it looks like I have it pretty easy but it's all the faffy as I call it 'wifework' that needs to be done and I'm doing it for 2 (in fact 3 if you count DSD & her mothers house) households and holding down a stressful job arghhhh I could scream!

I'm sorry, that became all about me a bit there :) But I do relate grockle

Just think - they'll thank us when their older.... won't they???! Hmm

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 18/05/2011 13:32

Look, sometimes as women we martyr ourselves. We do the majority (if not all, as a lone parent) of the housework, childcare, appointment making, present buying etc, then expect other people around us to appreciate it. They won't. So sometimes YOU have to put YOURSELF first. Most of the time other people won't realise what you want - you have to vocalise it.

Grockle, with the Mother's Day thing, why did you invite family round when surely you'd realise that you'd end up doing all the hard work? Next year, TELL people (ie your DP) a few weeks in advance that you want to be taken out for Sunday lunch with the kids, so that you don't have any cooking or washing up to do. Tell him he'll need to book a few weeks beforehand because it will be busy, then leave it to him to sort out. After the meal, go somewhere nice afterwards, say cinema or just for a walk - whatever YOU fancy.

When you say your DP sometimes irons and hoovers, do you mean at your house or his? It's not very clear from your post because you say you don't live together, but I really, really hope you're not doing his housework at his house as well as your own. If you are, stop now. It's not your responsibility.

Pickyourbrain You're mothering your ex. He needs to take responsibility himself. By all means email him the school holidays if he doesn't get them direct from your DD's school, and her weekend events, but leave it at that. If he forgets to arrange childcare, tough - it's his problem, not yours. If he forgets the events, tough - it's his problem not yours, and when your DD starts to become annoyed with him because he forgot to take her to a party or whatever, he'll soon start to remember. He only 'forgets' because you enable him to, as he knows you'll remind him.

I'm assuming that as your DSD has periods she's old enough to buy tampons herself, is she not? If not, she's at least capable of adding what she needs to the shopping list.

Present-wise, why not give your DD a few pounds and let her pick something for her dad herself from the supermarket or pound shop? She could also draw him a card, to save your money. You don't say her age but I'm sure she'd enjoy doing that, and the onus is less on you to get presents/cards for your ex. With regard to presents from DD for you, doesn't your DP (or your parents) get something for her to give you? If not, maybe you should bring it up with one of them to take on that responsibility until your DD is old enough to go shopping alone.

I'm not trying to be harsh here so apologies if I sound it, but I hate seeing women being put upon with nothing in return. But the fact is if you let these things happen, they will, so insist on change and change will happen.

SimpleSingleDad · 18/05/2011 13:50

What Kitty said.

Tell your DP you want to be made a fuss of now and then - tell him you want a break and to have dinner made for you (and the washing up done after it) now and again.

pickyourbrain · 18/05/2011 14:20

Thanks kitty, all sound advice. I did used to try to do all of that with my ex but when i eneded up on a Monday morning at 9am with no childcare for my DD i realised I had better remind him otherwise he'd be merrily at work and I'd be stuck at home! DSd always forgets tampons, she ends up with none and I have to run to he shop at all hours to save her from her predicament..

You are correct though, I do need to sort some of it out. I am by nature pretty controlling and often take the view that if I don't do it, it won't get done, so it's easier to just do it... but then i feel put upon... and i only have myself to blame!

Grockle · 18/05/2011 17:06

You're right- perhaps I need to say more often that I want help or something for ME but i dont want to nag and moan in RL (hence my rant here) or to appear needy. I HAVE told DP how I feel though and complained about not feeling appreciated etc Blush. And no, I don't do stuff at his house- he does my ironing sometimes so he can watch the football

Re mothers day- I wanted to do something with my family and had I not invited them, we'd have done nothing. I've been a bit under the weather recently and that's not helping.

Thanks for the support. I'll stop moaning now!

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