This is my first ever MN post [smile]. I just wanted to share my experience and say hi. I became a lone parent this year. With the clarity of hindsight, my now ex got cold feet about us almost as soon as I found out I was pregnant despite it being a planned baby. It was like he had a personality by-pass. I found out he was cheating when my DS was 11-weeks-old. I prized it out of him that it started during my pregnancy which was the most disgusting part. I now think he was living a double life since I met him. I kicked him out immediately. For one he wasn’t remorseful, he was triumphant, like I’d been irritating him that I hadn’t worked it out sooner. I also couldn’t make it work with someone who could do that to me at my most vulnerable time. I’d envisioned pram-buying and weigh-ins during mat leave, but not STI checks. As well as turning into an alley cat - out all hours and working fictitious shifts - he’d also been chipping away at my confidence for months - like he wanted me to end things with him in a cowardly school boy way. I was petrified to start with once I shut the door behind him. How would I cope?! Sleep deprivation didn’t help, but I was also worried I’d be judged by other mums at playgroups and NCT. It’s still not something I’ve told many such acquaintances. I blame the insensitive GP who told me the social stigma would be difficult [angry]. I also fretted that I couldn’t cope with 24/7/365 solo responsibility. Again that was at the height of night feeds. However, it’s since got a lot easier as DS is sleeping through better. Every day he grows and develops into a little marvel and I feel proud of that. I’m lucky to have supportive family and friends. Of course I wish things were different and I had a loving partner to share the good, the bad and the milestones, but things don’t always pan out how you want. Control is an illusion, I’ve discovered. Hope fellow LPs are doing ok especially with Xmas round the corner [fsmile]. What do you find are the biggest challenges and good bits of being an LP?