The worst

[BiscoffSundae]

Is it me or is being ill the worst thing about being a single parent...

Yeah I would say it is one of the things.
Being ill and still having to cook and clean or change nappies, school run is really horrible.

Another thing is when the kids are unwell to the point of going to hospital and you don't have a partner there to support you or hear the bad news with you. That's heart wrenching for sure

Totally with you. I have "just a cold" but am really struggling. It's bad enough feeling this awful without having 2 smalls to care for abd be responsible for.

the worst was standing on the school yard at pick up feeling like shit even with both paracetamol, ibuprofen and decongestants to hear another mother going on how her oh was lovely and let her have a proper rest when she was ill and had picked up the slack. (great for her but bloody hell it rubs salt in the wound when you are feeling shit) (caring for two autistic kids)

It really is shit, I once had emergency surgery due to a burst appendix, there were complications so I was due to be in for two weeks, but I had to discharge myself early as a few friends were trying to look after my son between them.

The worst is when you catch their tummy bug while they are still ill.

@BlackeyedSusan my SIL does this. My brother is very hands on and he went away for 4 days for a work trip. SIL was a wreck and couldn't manage their little girl on her own for those days. She called me and my mum to help her. Then gets on the phone to me and says "Oh I know you understand what it was like". I said well no because your partner was only gone for 4 days and came back!

@Simonjt oh yes I've had that. It was a nightmare trying to hold down my vomit while my son was being sick. Then practically kicking him out of the way so I could use the loo

@theniceunderstandingone

Good for you.

While it can be difficult suddenly managing without your hands on partner for a bit, it does not compare to full time single parenting. Even when the other parent is very good and will come and help during "your time" you are still on your own in the house/flat splitting finances between two households, dealing with emergencies solo at least initially until help can be called in. (And that is best case scenario)