Single mum with an only child

[Pleasego1]

Hi mums
I’m feeling really distressed I’m a single mum to a lovely active healthy 8 year old son he’s my world it’s just me and him his dad didn’t want to know my son he’s very emotionally abusive, so since my son was 1 it’s been him and I. Iv done everything possible to provide love stability I’m mum dad brother sister friend for my son he’s worth it I have no family due to them being dysfunctional I recently moved to London and have no friends I’m constantly on days out rattling my brain for activities for my son just to keep him super busy To be honest I’m starting to feel like it’s never gonna be enough he is lonely and desperately wants a sibling a relationship for me right now is the last thing on my mind never mind another child it breaks my heart hearing him tell me he’s lonely I’m not enough I’m out seven days a week no rest I can’t escape this emotional pain I really wish I could meet a mum who’s in a similar situation in my area for play dates

Hi @Pleasego1

Where abouts in London are you?

I have a 7 year old dd and am in East London / Essex

What about being a respite or short term foster carer. If you did respite you could have the same child/ children visit regularly. He would have a sibling type relationship part of the time and then have you to himself the rest of the time. I looked into it a number of years ago for much the same reasons I have an only child who was happy to have company and I had the time to spare and wanted to do something useful in the community but I was diagnosed with a chronic illness and wasn't able to complete the training. It's still something I'd love to do in future.

I think you are over compensating .

I am in very similar position though not in London and my Ds is now 11.

Can he join clubs ? Cubs , football , swimming whatever interests him. Play dates ?

I have a child with ADHD but while he is hyperactive so needs to burn off steam daily he doesn’t need me to do structure activities every day .

It is also a really important skill to cope with been bored . If my Ds ever tells me he is bored . I say great . He doesn’t like it but important.

It is important that they learn they are not always centre of the universe

If you join singlewithkids.co.uk they have local activities and you can take your child along and meet fellow single parents. If you like the idea of a group that is.

Where abouts in london are you?

I have an almost 7 year old boy and an 8 year old girl. Although they have friends at school they havent made any outside of school as most my friends have older children (teenagers)

also in London (south) with an only of the same age and would be glad to meet up. I totally relate to that feeling of being mum, dad, and sibling and the guilt you feel when busy because your child is left to watch tv/ play by themselves for long periods of time. I think I overcompensate too but I hate the thought of my child feeling lonely. Hosting constant playdates gets exhausting too.