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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Original poster

Professional Single Parents

354 replies

TeachesOfPeaches · 18/07/2019 08:36

I'm a single full time working mother of one 3 year old in London. As my career is progressing I realise I don't know any parents like myself and I would really like to discuss how others manage childcare, travelling for work, getting a mortgage on your own, tax free childcare etc and I have nobody to discuss this with.

Anyone out there in a similar situation?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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dellacucina · 25/07/2019 15:08

I am likely to become a single parent soon and I'm finding this thread very helpful. Thanks for starting it!

ZillaPilla · 25/07/2019 15:25

What's your profession della, and how old are/is your DC?

DropOfffArtiste · 25/07/2019 15:57

I had a day off today to supervise some building work. Unsurprisingly both the tradesmen cancelled, after waiting around till lunchtime. I then took DS to the swimming pool but it was full, so we came home and holed up inside with the fan on. Water fight later I reckon!

dellacucina · 25/07/2019 16:12

I'm a lawyer in a public sector role. Currently live in North London. I have a 2 year old daughter.

dellacucina · 25/07/2019 16:13

@DropOfffArtiste a water fight sounds like amazing fun!

SimonJT · 25/07/2019 16:14

I’m working from home today as my son didn’t feel very well at nursery as it was so hot, so I didn’t take him in today. It’s a 1970’s building with lots of class, it does get far too hot when it’s sunny.

ZillaPilla · 25/07/2019 16:59

Grin at 1970's building with lots of class Grin

SimonJT · 25/07/2019 17:01

Haha, appropriate typo

MissB83 · 25/07/2019 18:18

dellacucina in same type of role as you Smile
I was WFH today with a fan but it was stifling and hard to stay awake doing lots of little bits and pieces!

Original poster
TeachesOfPeaches · 25/07/2019 18:37

@dellacucina welcome to the thread and welcome to the brave new world of solo parenting. It can be great, promise!

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Original poster
TeachesOfPeaches · 25/07/2019 18:38

I feel a bit spoilt as my office is air conditioned and I only have to do 1 stop on the tube (plus bus). Felt a bit of a twat thwacking around in flip flops with work trousers though but needs must.

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MissB83 · 25/07/2019 20:48

I'm a bit scared of the commute tomorrow although at least the trains are quite well air conditioned and I don't have to use the underground. I bought some cheap thin trousers at the supermarket which are smart but hopefully nice and cool!

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 25/07/2019 21:00

I bought a newer car earlier in the year but even though it is only 2 years old it does not have air con in it. Thankfully the fan thing has cool enough air in it as I generally am on 80KPH roads so they keep me from sweating out through clothes but wish it had aircon all the same.

MissB83 · 26/07/2019 07:35

Decided not to try and go into London today, apparently the overhead wires have melted on the trains or something?!

Solasum · 26/07/2019 07:49

Would anyone be up for a London meet-up? A weekend, Somewhere reasonably central, child friendly, where it is possible to grab a cold drink?

Solasum · 26/07/2019 07:54

I have a 5yo and have been working full time since he was 3 months old. His dad sees him a couple of eves a week for 1.5 hours each time and half a day at the weekend, so I am not a completely lone parent, but logistically speaking everything falls to me.

DropOfffArtiste · 26/07/2019 07:57

Back to work today. I'm looking forward to the comparative calm of an air conditioned office and some stroppy emails.

Original poster
TeachesOfPeaches · 26/07/2019 08:07

@Solasum but you're a MOTHER! Surely you're able to meet for coffee at the church run playgroup at 10.30 on a Wednesday? Weekend is family time after all Hmm

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Original poster
TeachesOfPeaches · 26/07/2019 08:17

Kept posting my message in the wrong thread oops

Professional Single Parents
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MissB83 · 26/07/2019 08:59

We would be up for a London meet up :)

Solasum · 26/07/2019 09:14

@TeachesofPeaches why yes, I will gladly overset my intricate web of balancing school run/commute/work for workday day chitchat that could be easily be done by WhatsApp.

anothermansmother · 26/07/2019 09:39

Another single parent working full time here too. My ds is 12 and my dd is 9. I've been on my own for 10 years now ( I found out I was having my dd after the split)
Reading this thread has made me realise that I'm not the only one people say stupid things to...like you get all kinds of help because your in your own, I did point out to them that neither me or my bank account receive any help as I work full time!
On the plus side I only have 2 years more of paying for any kind of childcare.
I think the hardest bit is the weekend, it's sometimes monotonous, and as most of my friends are married lots of families are busy.
However my dc are great, we do have fun and we're pretty laid back. Like the OP my children have no contact with their dad so its not chance of 5 minutes peace a break.

DropOfffArtiste · 26/07/2019 09:43

That can be tough, the assumption that you get every other weekend "off" or if you don't that you haven't tried hard enough to get the absent parent to keep in touch. Like it is still somehow your fault.

Original poster
TeachesOfPeaches · 26/07/2019 09:43

@anothermansmother welcome to the thread! You didn't get your single mother discount vouchers in the post then?

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ZillaPilla · 26/07/2019 10:22

like you get all kinds of help because your in your own

No one has ever said that to me. I've always worked full time though, so there was no change when I became a single Mum.