Do you feel guilty?

[Really1]

I'm a full time working mum who is also a lone parent.
My ex has our two kids for 2 days/2 nights during the week (tues night, wed day, wed night) & I get them back thurs after work. He lives back with his mum and she has them if he has to work on these days.
He never has them at the weekend at all- not my choice, his, due to work...
Lately I've been feeling the strain of working full time, being a single parent and never getting a "break" and have been advised that I need a bit of proper "me" time and to possibly ask my ex to have the kids 1 weekend a month or similar.
I know I need a break but I struggle sooooo much with the guilt of not being with my kids wheh I'm at work let alone give them away for the weekend too!
Does anyone else work full time yet still spend a/some weekends away from their kids too?!

If you are happy with the idea of him having them, and if the children are happy to go, then why not?

I know where you are coming from I work full time and my DD is with me all the time due to historic child protection issues though she now does spend around 4 hours alone in a public place with ExH.
I often feel there is nothing left for me. I am a bit luckier in that as I work nights and weekends I have an au pair so get to go to a choir once a week which helps.
I am starting an advanced qualification in November and I have told DD there will be times when I have to study and I see that as doing something for me.

I used to have weekends to myself when my son was over at his dad until he became violent towards him when naturally I had to stop access.

Is there any way you can devote some quality time for you in the evenings meanwhile while your children are away. To listen to some quality music at home perhaps or watch a decent film on the box? (If you have e.g. sky on demand that can help!). To take you out of yourself.

I am assuming your children are quite young and this is why you are feeling this way.

Whatever you do do try and do something 'right brain' focused to offset the constant male and female demands that are placed upon us as single parents. So something creative might help.

I do play piano once or twice a month at home and this is one of my highspots although I don't get many!

HTH.

My children are 4 and 2, the eldest starts school in sept so been manically trying to work out the logistics of working, nursery, school run etc!
I just feel like I barely have time to do anything I enjoy. I do get 2 evenings a week but by time I get home from work it's 7:30pm and then do a few chores like hang washing up etc cool dinner it's 9:30pm and I'm ready for bed lol!
I do try and arrange dinner with friends or a few drinks on child free nights which help but i always just feel like I'm running from one place to another!
I feel comfortable leaving the kids with their dad yes but it doesn't take away the guilt. I just feel like I don't see them all week as it is!