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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Advice for becoming a single parent

18 replies

MummyJules · 11/01/2006 14:11

I have made the decision to leave my partner when I start studying my degree at uni (I will be able to get student family housing) and I just wondered if anyone had any advice that they could give me? (DD will be 3 and is a daddy's girl at heart so I am expecting the transition to be hard)
I feel very sad that it has come to this but ultimately don't want to be part of this relationship anymore. Any support/advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Jules

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beejay · 11/01/2006 14:27

Good luck mummyjules. keep reminding yourself it is better for your daughter to have two parents apart who are happy than two living together in misery...
(PS why are you leaving your partner by the way? Or is that too nosey!)

MummyJules · 11/01/2006 14:36

Thanks Beejay. Our relationship has always had problems (even when we first started) and has just got worse. I wouldn't even consider him to be a friend at the moment - We are just leading two different lives and existing under the same roof. I am only 24 and don't want to waste my life on something that is never going to change - I kept on saying if it's like this next year then I am going - Well this is it, I have said it so many times and I really mean it. We are just two completely different people and we are just not compatible at all. It feels good to of made the final decision but I have to keep 'this pretence' until I get my student accomodation (and thats if I get into uni) If not I shall have to think of some other way.

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beejay · 11/01/2006 14:54

Well then I would say go for it and don't feel guilty! I spent 6 years with my ex, kept going on for the sake of my daughter, so glad we finally broke up, it was the best decision for all concerned.
Your dd can still have a great relationship with her dad and you deserve to be with someone who you are compatible with. ( And uni is a great place to meet that someone )

MummyJules · 11/01/2006 15:44

Thanks! Do you have any advice as to whether I till him I'm going or if I just leave a note? Things are very strained between us at the moment and I think it is partly my fault as I have subconsiously put an 'end' to our relationship and have given up pandering to his needs! How do I explain it to DD? and what kind of benifits would I be likely to get? Have never lived on my own before so I will find it quite scary but exciting too!

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MummyJules · 11/01/2006 15:45

sorry till - tell

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beejay · 11/01/2006 16:24

Oh god definitely tell him. Honestly i think unless he has been violent or bullying to you and your dd you need to make an effort to keep on friendly terms for the sake of your dd.
I know it's hard when things have got strained between you two but having a good relationship with your dad is a major plus in your life. Do it for her if not for you!
If you are really incompatible he will probably agree about the split anyhow.

Caligula · 11/01/2006 16:37

Have you thought about going to Relate or other couples counselling? Everyone always thinks that counselling exists to save a relationship, but it doesn't necessarily; it's immensely helpful in finding a way to end a relationship well, so that the bitterness, feuding etc. which can continue for as long as the children are still a bone of contention (basically until they're adults) doesn't occur. If you can get it so that you can make the transition from partners to separate parents of your DD who are on civilised terms with each other, you'll be doing all three of you - particularly your DD - an immense favour.

beejay · 11/01/2006 16:52

Hear hear Caligula. Also whenever I get irritated wtih my ex ( which believe me is fairly often) I try and bite my lip and remind myself that i did love him, hugely, and for a number of years-- and it's not my dd's fault that her mother once had dubious taste in men!

jco · 11/01/2006 17:57

Hi jules. depending on what type of course you are studying you could get the following. Housing beefit and council tax benefit, student loan (about 6grand per year and repayable when you start working) lone parent grant which i'm not quite sure how much but about a grand. then you can get you child benefit on top of that.
When i left my marriage i spent a lot of time before hand secretly finding out what i was entitled to and what my rights were. its not that i wanted to go behind his back its just i needed to have all that in place before i told my hubbie that it was over. i'm so glad i did it now because even though it was my decisison to end the marriage and i still have no regrets it was the hardest time of my life. i was emtionally drained and knowing what help i was entitled to was one less thing i had to deal with.
Even though it was such a bad time it was such a relief when he had finally left. i think actually making the decision is the hardest thing to do. Just remember though that no matter how hard it gets you will get through it. Nobody should stay in an unhappy marriage for any reason and if it really is over by leaving you are giving yourself the chance of finding happiness in the future

MummyJules · 11/01/2006 19:30

Thanks for your advice - He has been violent in the past (is an alcoholic) so I am apprehensive of his reaction. We are planning to go to relate and I am hoping he will come to the same conclusion for me so it can be resolved in the best way. I really think that at the moment if I told him I was going he would do anything he could to stop me.

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Caligula · 11/01/2006 20:07

Is it on his medical records that he is an alcoholic? Is he addressing the problem?

If your DD is only 3, then I would be very, very careful about how you negotiate his contact with her. It could be dangerous for her - him being a violent alcoholic changes things.

MummyJules · 11/01/2006 21:32

Hasn't been violent for about a yr and a half and only to me - never to my child.

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dexter · 12/01/2006 09:20

mummyjules, good luck with your situation - you must feel quite stressed!

I don't feel qualified to give you advice as never been in the situation, but I have worked with children with split parents and thought I might put down some of the things that come to mind.

first one is, have you read Dr Christopher Green's book 'toddler taming'? There's a bit in there about parents splitting, and he puts acrimonious splits down as 'legalised child abuse'. Strong words I know, but I write that because I have to say that some of the children I have seen I would certainly say have been really damaged by the experience.

And that's my main impression really about the whole thing - it can so very very easily go downhill fast, particularly if one partner wants the split less than the other - and also if one partner has a vulnerability like your ex with the drinking - makes their responses to the situation less predictable.

So I guess what I'm thinking is that you, as the instigator of the split, will have to be SUPERHUMAN in your patience and restraint, in order to try to get your ex 'on-side' eventually. And you already know your daughter will find it hard, so I reckon the thing to bear in mind when she's being a nightmare is that she has had a MORE major life changing experience than you - choosing to leave a relationship is in my view less life changing than 'losing' your dad. It really is true that kids blame themselves sometimes. And that they feel rejected, even if you say Dad didn't leave YOU he left the marriage - kids are very literal and the truth is - dad DID go from them too.

So for the kids I've seen it's a biggie! You sound very thoughtful and sensitive though so I'm sure you will negotiate this minefield!!!I do think that you can get there with making it non-damaging for your child but (as always with mums) I think the onus for being the one that keeps things sane will be on you. Think counselling is a brill way to hopefully make him feel the split is mutual as if he feels HE'S made the decision he will feel less rejected.

Couple of pitfalls I've seen even the nicest people fall into - using contact with child as a weapon - ie 'he's been abusive to me so he can't see child'. Another big one is unreliability - some dads don't always turn up and the mums obviously get upset for the child,but I would take the long view and keep channels of possibility open. ALWAYS look at contact as the child's contact with her father, not his contact with her, and it's then easier to not use it to punish him if he's been impossible. She always has the right to her dad! Also, contact should be just about the two of them - not to pass letters between you, or maintenance money, or whatever. Makes it easier for the child to relax.

Very best of luck with uni, sure you'll have a fab new life xx

beejay · 12/01/2006 10:19

Dexter you are a wise woman

Caligula · 12/01/2006 10:42

Do you think your DD would be safe with him? Is he trying to address his alcohol issues?

I ask because the safety of your child is paramount and i've seen alcoholics go from looking stone cold sober to roaring drunk and incapable in 20 minutes flat. And if they happen to be looking after very young children at the time, without any other responsible adult around to help them, that is extremely dangerous for those children.

But hopefully, these issues will be properly addressed during your Relate sessions - I hope they work for you.

dexter · 12/01/2006 11:01

ooh thank you beejay, you have made my day!

beejay · 12/01/2006 11:32
Grin
Bugsy2 · 12/01/2006 12:04

Some really good advice on here.
Splitting up is tough on children. My ds's behaviour went downhill very badly but is now completely back on track. Both my children enjoy the regular contact they have with their father now.
I'm happier than I have been for years. Have taken a bit of time out to try and work out why I stayed in an abusive (emotionally & mentally - rather than physically) relationship for so long & I feel alot better about myself now.
Good luck Jules.

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