Lone parent and lonely

[SuperSheepdog]

Hello. I've been a lone parent about 3 years now. I feel lonely often, especially in the evenings. My two children are young and their dad isn't great at taking them overnight and I don't have much of a social life.

Often I find I'm very anxious and worried, I think through lack of adult company does this. Sadly I live in a village (but close to a town) and not many other lone parents here. I don't have much confidence and an a bit depressed to try new hobbies even if I had the time.

Wondered what others do to socialise and stave off depression and anxiety?

I saw your post last night just before I went to bed and it really resonated. Loneliness is a real problem especially if you don't have a big friendship base which has - in my case - been exacerbated by location, becoming a parent and relationship breakdown.

It IS hard when the dcs are young - and even when they are not - and other people's evenings and weekends appear to be taken up with being a 2.4 family. Are your dcs at school? I've developed a good friendship with a school mum (her husband used to work away) and we take in turns to host dinner a Fri or Sat evening with the children.

Make a decision to say 'yes' to any invitations, look for activities you can do with the children e.g. often the church will offer family activities and a meal together. And being prepared to use babysitters to attend an activity you are interested in or even step your toe into the online dating world (haven't done that myself - probably should take my own advice lol).

Whereabouts are you? - perhaps MNers can suggest something.

I'm feeling the exact same.

My ex was cheating on me when I was pregnant, I done the pregnancy alone and have been single for 2 years now. I have a 16 month old baby who hasn't saw his dad since he was 2 days old.

My baby and I are always together. I'm struggling with it just now. I need a balance between me and baby time & me time. I just don't know how to get it.

It's so hard. I don't really have any advice but I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I hope for us it gets better really soon xx