Lone parent firsts.

[Farrowandbawl]

List in here the things you have done for the first time as a lone parent. Things you never got a chance to do or even knew you could do, things that you wouldn't have attempted before.

I managed to suck a spider up the Hoover. A giant one. It took some tears and live support by family on Skype at 2am. But I did it yessss.

(Disclaimer: I'm terrified of spiders).

Bought and insured a car in my name.
Controlled my own finances.
Stopped walking on eggshells.
Had lots of mind blowing sex

I built my Ikea chest of drawers. It works and hasn't collapsed!

I booked and paid for a holiday to a destination that I actually wanted to go to

I built all of ds's nursery furniture when I was 7 months pregnant after crying for 3 days cos I couldn't get it up the stairs

I'm so SO proud of myself for that. It was the moment it hit home I was on my own and I bloody well did it anyway

I've book and paid for my first holiday with the kids. It's not to anywhere fancy but it's something we've always wanted to do...ex would always find an excuse not to go, either at planning stage or at the last minute so we never went anywhere. In 11 years we went on 1 day trip to the beach.

If autistic ds copes with this, I will be seriously looking at going abroad for the first time since I was a kid.

I've booked my first holiday and know I'm going to have an amazing time

Built 2 sets of malm ikea drawers by myself (stupid me built them downstairs instead of upstairs and had to carry them peice by peice upstairs myself but this was just a minor setback )

Absolutely love the one about the hoover, spider and live Skype help I can totally relate to that. I'm yet to come across a spider (im terrified) and I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with it but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Spiders I can cope with. However I'm not so sure what will happen if I ever come face to face with a giant, evil, flesh tearing mouse!

been up the attic and started to actually clear it out.

Loving this!!! I've perfected the squish the bugger technique with spiders lol

Main one for me - appreciate myself and part of that is realising I don't need a significant other to 'complete' me. I'm happy in my self. Huge biggy really!!

That is a huge thing for anyone. It has to be the biggest thing I think.

Just dealing with real life. Getting myself out of debt, never had any money with ex as it all got pissed away. I'm almost debt-free other than my mortgage!
Got a new job and am successful.
Sanded down my wooden kitchen workups and oiled them all by myself.
Handled having a car accident and claiming on insurance etc on my own. Likewise storm damage to my house. Also getting the mind-blowing sex with new boyfriend

Am planning some home improvements this year and I'm very excited about being able to save for them and choose exactly what I want!

I have cleared the shed, learnt how to make the log burner last for hours & jet wash my car alot

Spider people - I have one of these, here

& I use a spray around all the doors. Please dont kill them.

Sorry mello I just can't get close enough to trap them nicely

I will come and do it for you Snuggle, armed with my spray & catcher

Thanks mello

Thinking army of lone parents unite with each of our strengths

Passed my driving test.

Ex wanted to move to the country, said he would do all the driving. What actually happened is he used it as a way to control me and insisted we couldn't afford for me to learn. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done as I have anxiety issues. Passed first time with loads of errors unlike twatface.

Well done MiniCracker

Cleared horrendous debts left by ex and got my previously unblemished credit record back on track.

Raised my son single-handedly since he was a baby.

Cook amazing food (exH was 'the chef') and hold summer bbq parties on my own.

Seeing my son through aggressive cancer treatment without any help.

Oh Able, thats more than enough for you to cope with xx

Massive hats off to you able

My ex always vetoed my first few choices on anything, so buying my favourite without mindgames is bliss.

Chose and paid for my own holiday with DCs.

Bought my own car.

Decluttered the house. And I love handing over large boxes of his crap to the ex as I don't need to sort his shit out anymore. That's his problem.

Host dinner parties, kids birthday parties and my own parties!

Bought some shares and premium bonds (small fry money but I'd always wanted to do both)

Still waiting for the new boyfriend and mind-blowing sex

I've just filled my car up with oil .
Got a cleaner
Online dating - now have the new boyfriend but post-bfing spotting has messed up the mind blowing sex aspect

I have:
-plumbed in a washing machine (which included capping off the hot water - thank you google and homebase plumbing aisle)
-oiled and serviced the kids' bikes

• bought and set up a tv, a set top box and a computer (everything decided to break as soon as ex left grrr - but I realised I can read instruction manuals just as well as ex could)
• been out in garden in the dark and pouring rain in hideous storm to secure gate which had nearly blown off hinges and fence which had half fallen down (and managed to be all calm about it to the kids when really I was v scared that bits of the house were about fall off !)

It is amazing what you do when you have to!

I am even contemplating doing a b&q diy workshop thing about power tools as that is the only thing ex did that I might be scared of trying myself.

Much respect to those of you who have done far bigger tasks - you all sound amazing.

Wow you guys are all so fab!!