Tips on being a happy single parent and being happily single

[McCharlieMouse]

Thats it really....what are your tips, because i'm not getting it quite right at the moment!

I find myself single again (a brief fling with a lovely, genuine, caring man, who was interested in me and gave a shit! Unfortunately no real spark....Arghh, a real shame!). I have a lovely 3yr old ds, who I love spending time with. I've pretty much been a single parent from day 1 although ds see's his dad every other weekend and one night in the week.

I miss all the sharing stuff, whether that's parenting stuff (good and bad! Ds and I had brill time sledging yesterday but missed sharing our fun with anyone) or whether it's couples stuff, doing things together or just talking about your day. I'd really like to get out of this couply mindset and be happy single and not desperate to chase the next relationship!

I've done the joining a local activity thing and do that once or twice a week which is great and I really enjoy it. I have friends locally and not so locally and I try and go out socially once a week with friends and i try and plan things with friends some weekends (whether I have ds or not). So how do I give myself a kick up the backside to feel happy the way things are?!

live in the moment,
take pleasure in small things
Acknowledge what you like about yourself and what you value in yourself and others
connect with nature
Give something back to your community

and when it's dark and you are sad...remember "this too will pass"

this is my recipe and it has seen me through some tough times.

I'm sure others will be along to share their positivity!!!!

Get the right work/life balance - a great job that pays enough not to scrimp and gives flexibility for attending school stuff or working from home when DC sick.

Accept offers of help/childcare/playdates. Offer what you can in return (skills, home baking, lifts etc), if not to the same person then offer something to someone you can help.

Teach DCs the value of things and tell them what you do for them, not in a nagging way but remember to say things like 'I've made you a delicious tea!', 'I've folded all your clothes for you!', let them know you are doing a great job.

Make sure DCs know they have responsibilities at home, get them to pick up their clothes, set the table and clear the plates away.

Find someone who will be your confident who you can open up to and share your frustrations and fears, someone you can moan about the other parent to and unburden yourself. Sometimes it helps to have someone acknowledge that you are struggling.

Thanks fool, I like your recipe! I think the giving something back to the community thing is important and I need to pull my finger out on that one. Living for the moment always tricky for me, I dwell on stuff a bit (over thinking galore!).
Good advice I like your positivity, thanks

I'm stupidly lucky on the work front in that I work from home part time and earn enough to be comfortable and I realise how lucky I am to be in that position. I think it is the little things that I need to focus on a bit more....

i could use some tips, after useless fling after useless fling!

I take pride in my house, my children (obviously!), look forward to planning holidays (cheap ones in UK!)
Also have nights out wiht my friends and we loan a pony through the summer for me and the dd...which we love...

Also love a good book in bed when the kids asleep...comfort food, enjoying the warm weather when it comes!!

Also i love being at work and being with other people during the day....we have a good giggle!

I think of me and DS as a team. We have a lot more fun together now he's older (nearly 5) - we go to museums and on walks and build (endless) Lego. Finding something that we both enjoy has really helped me feel like I have someone to share it with - him!

I am a single parent by choice though so that helps. I don't want to be in a relationship but I don't actually know how you get to that point I'm afraid!