Lone parent isolation

[Dodonnell1]

Hi I am at home for the last few weeks with my 3 children who are 12,11 and 11 and mostly doing ok but am nearly 3 years into single parenting and feel like I can't muster any more enthusiasm for it obviously I love my children very much and want the best for them but feel like the bucket is empty I suppose I feel totally alone and every week since lockdown have been saying I need to set up a schedule and get the kids doing some school work etc but can't seem to muster the energy. I hope this does not seem trivial does anyone else feel like this ?

I can relate, lone parent aswell also been single for 3 years when ex walked out, he has absolutely no contact (his choice) mine are 9 and under (I have 4) I’m finding schooling for home very difficult with 4, impossible in fact, oldest has asd so has 1:1 at school, I’m finding it hard to get her to engage, everyone seems to be baking and doing all these activities with their kids but I honestly think these people probably aren’t use to being alone with them all the time so it’s a novelty! For me this is my reality and just finding it hard to get out of bed each day!

Hi PumkinP, I am not happy to hear that your feeling like that but am happy that I am not the only one I feel like a really bad parent but the worst is I am not knocking any crack out of the kids. There is also the added worry as to what happens if I get sick today am trying to do small things like laundry just to keep going

Hi OP I think you've hit a bit of a wall to be honest. That happened to me at the three year mark. Prior to that it was adjusting to the new normal, divorce, earning money, massive effort to protect DD from any fallout.

Took a few weeks and then I got my second wind and I'm sure you will too - go easy on yourself, it's a huge job being a single parent.

I think you need to start with the bare minimum of school work for them to do each day e.g. 20 minutes of reading, or 30 minutes, they can't have dinner / snack or tv or something unless they have done this. It is hard and I am falling off the wagon daily also! Set an alarm on your phone for a set time e.g. 30 mins before dinner daily so you can enforce it and don't forget. Best of luck :)

Being a lone parent is so hard at times. Be kind to yourself.

Thanks to all you I actually was wondering if the 3 years was a milestone of some kind. I appreciate the advice for schoolwork and will start tomorrow with babysteps