If you could nominate ONE thing that stops you going mad as a lp, what would it be?

[incandescent]

And you're not allowed to say mumsnet, or your mum

I'm looking for suggestions to help with my transition from living with my lovely mum to going back to London to my one bed flat and job
DD's dad lives abroad and only sees her once a month, so I'm very much on my own (mum is 200 miles away)

Pls share your indispensable household appliances/planning strategies/mental health bolsters

Wine, reading (I second the library idea, I've never read so much in all my life!)cooking (even though I didn't eat anything for about a month!) and bizzarely for me - lists!!!!

I became a bit of a list freak in the begining (its been 6 months now) they even included getting ready, dropping DC's off to school, tidying in the morning, and again after dinner!!! Everything I had to do in a day to the final letter. It helped me focus on normality, gave me some satisfaction ticking things off, distracted me and helped me not mope quite as much!

Good luck, it does get easier x

I have 3 dogs! They keep me company at home when I am working and when the boys are at school. I always have someone to talk to, they never answer back and dote on my every word! They let me know when anyone comes to the house. Every lunchtime I take a beak from my work and march up the hill behind my house with them so they get me out and I can hear them gently snoring at night on the bedroom floor!

Lovely thread, thanks for starting OP! Friends are top of the list for me, then being able to do my own thing - see all above. My favourite part of the day is going to bed early with a book, the cat, my iPod, my journal and luxuriating in my own company. And not having to worry about a snoring, farting fuckwit next to me!! With DD happily asleep in the next room, it's heaven.

Wheresmywaist, very interested to read what you've said about work - I'm currently "on sabbatical" and really enjoying it but am looking around. Am getting interviews but the money, as you say, is rubbish. Would love to run my own business too but don't know where to start. What's your set-up? And what sort of support are you looking for? Am
very inspired!

Allchanging it's been 6 months for me too and have just discovered the list for the day thing and it's brilliant. I thought I was a genius/slighty freaky, until I read your post!

-also love to plan good days out with little one
-enjoy the stuff you couldn't before - ie house smells nice, watching what you want on TV, reading in bed, going where you want when you want
-get some good friends and spend an evening or a day with them at least once a week or the lonliness sets in and makes you a bit potty.

And enjoy the freedom you have and try not to focus on feeling 'trapped' as a lone parent. Not as easy as it sounds.

Best of Luck.
And God Bless Mumsnet....Ain't it good to know you are not alone and your feelings aren't 'mental' like some people (ex's, shitty mates/family) would like you to believe!

Alcohol.

alcohol. cheesy garlic chips

My lovely puppy and twice daily walks with her. An electric blanket (ex was very sniffy about them). My gaggle of teenagers. My job and my colleagues.

The gym.

I have two. Online shopping and my dishwasher! I never saw the bottom of my kitchen sink until I got that!

Oh, I also printed out and framed my "mantra" on a kitchen wall, where I see it far too often!! It's "I am calm, I am happy, All is well, I can do this".

Feel free to use mine if you like, or make up your own, but I have found that sometimes it does help!