How do you lot do it?

[meltedchocolate]

Being a single parent is exhausting (physically but also emotionally).

Wondering if you have any helpful tips?

It's lonely and non stop. (Father not having any contact atm) I keep thinking I cant cope anymore (but of course will continue to because I have to).

I'm afraid not. Skype? I barely know what it is.

hi

im asingle mum here to with 4dc and i admit its the loniless that gets to me , but i admit the internet helps as always someone to talk to .

Just do the best you can and sod it if not up to what other people think is ok thats their problem not yours

As for meeting new people no idea ,I just moved 90 mins away from my hometown and am slighly panicking at meeting new people especially as at 36 i tend to be older than mums with kids same age as ds3 whos 4 and dd1 who is 7.

but then on other foot i have ds1 15 and ds13 , so used end up with 2 differnt sets of friends

Wow, Phoenix I really admire you. I havfe no idea how you do it with for but my hat goes off to you. A lot of respect from this end

A practical question...

SLOW COOKERS - What can you cook in them? What kind of meals do you end up with? I am intrigued now... I do love to cook though.

* have *four

Slow cookers are good for stews, curries and basically anything with liquid in. I have one that's hardly ever used (I was full of good intentions) but they are ideal if you're organised enough to use them. Also, the house is then filled with delicious cooking smells all day! I think you can even do "pot roasts" (whatever they are) in them too. Have a look online and see what you think - I'd recommend one really.

Just wanted to say a very big thank you for this thread.

I have two dcs - 15months and 2.5 and today I have been struggling with them and reading this thread has made me see things differently.

DD goes to her grandparents Sunday dinnertime and comes back Monday and stays at exp's every other Saturday.
That little 'break' is nice but then I still have ds.

My house is a tip and it is that misty that I cant take them out. In fact, we havent even gotten dressed yet

I had a slow cooker too, which got used about 4 times a week. But then I put the pot in the oven with lid on and it melted so now saving up for another one.

Hey NewYear.

Can I suggest you try cleaning up your house? 15 mins a day decluttering. Dont faff, just chuck chuck chuck. Maybe join 'FlyLady'? I cant tell you what difference it has made to me to have a clean house (it has been clean for two weeks now - big deal for me)

Please do get stuck into this thread. We can turn it into an incouraging thread for each other if you want - I know i need it

Have a look at this thread

[[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/good_housekeeping/888936-Slow-cookers]

I have the tesco one that costs £15 ...asda do similar. Often on offer in both shops for a tenner

Im on the fly lady thread. The house isnt usually a tip, it's just today that it is!

Im ill and dd is playing up (she usually does after coming back from ex ils) so Im more stressed than usual.

OnADiet, my last two slowcookers (the first one I put on the gas hob ) were from Tesco and were only a tenner!!!

Oh good NewYear, tis good isnt it? If you ignore all the cheesy stuff FLY - we all know what that stands for, haha!

I am thinking of getting a slow cooker now. Will have a look in the electrical shops and tescos for one

after this i`m thinking they seem good idea am sensing a run on them will check anyone out see in Asda buying one just in case another mumsnet

and as for how i cope im pretty laid back so tend to just roll with it luckily all 4 dc are much the same though bit more planning for ds3 needed due to his sn.

Find what works for you organised , laid back or my favourite organised chaos and don`t worry what anyone else thinks of you , ds or your house

though i spend 20-30 mins when younger 2 in bed restoring order ,though atm trying keep on top as were all sharing my folks place 2 bedrooms for 7 of us *pass me tin opener please

another who says just sod the housework where possible.

make sure you escape the house everyday. even if its just for a walk. really helps from feeling nutty and helps knacker the wee ones out.

take any offers of help or baby sitting you get if there's no dad on the scene who takes them off your hands for some time.

and although your young... doesn't mean your not entitled to a life just because you are a mum.... if you have a sitter... even better... a sitter who's willing to stay overnight and do breakfast for you... go out. let off some steam.. there's no shame in doing this every once in a while.

i also have single friends who will come over to mine and we have a night in with dvd's and a bottle of wine have a good natter and she stays over to keep me company and we go do stuff with kids in the morning.

Ive just chucked let the kids play outside for a bit.

DD still pushing it and Ive had to go in another room for 2 mins

hehe NewYear, quite right too.

I know you are right Donttouch but i always seem to make up excuses for not going out when offered anything. I think I am afraid to start socialising again and also get quite reluctant to leave my son when the time gets nearer. Totally sad isn't it?!

Melted, I am exactly the same, I always seem to be making excuses to not go out, although I am getting better with that slowly.

I now have a slow cooker Have chucked corned beef hash (without the corned beef) in and will cook it overnight, then tomorrow teatime will put in the corned beef and dumplings for an hour!

yum yum

sounds yummy

I am really considering it but I will have to save for a while.

we all go through that early on metled.. the guilt about leaving them... but its for your own sanity.
take up those offers and get your "me" time.

I am not a single mum (I shall get off the thread immediately after posting) but my best friend, who sadly lives a 4 hour drive away, is a SAHM on her own. Her DS is nearly 4. Father out of the scene. I am so amazed and proud of her for the outstanding job she does on her own and I think you should all be too, I really don't know how she does it.

YOU SHOULD ALL BE BLOODY PROUD OF YOURSELVES! (and sod the housework)

You know what seems strange.....

At night, if the DC's wake up, I wish exp was here.....but then, when we were together he never helped with them during the night anyways.

Melted, I got mine for £15 from asda, tesco do them for the same price too.

Oooh I think I could spare £15 (just about) for an easier life.

I know what you mean. I sometimes wish H was here but I know even if he were he would just be in the room unable to help or even if he was back to normal he would be at the gym/ out fishing/ hunting and not really helping anyway. Its the difference that having someone there just to keep an eye on DS when you need a pee/ just gonna . I dont think people realise the incredible difference that makes. I sure never did until I have been landed in it.

I think the worst thing is having a shower atm. I hadnt had a shower for 4 days, but have been having a wash!!!!! Because one or the other dc starts! Managed to get one this morning after sitting them in front of the tv with their breakfast

Have somehow got to get them new shoes this week, they have both had a growth spurt

I'm with you NewYear. Shower when possible at this end. I put a stair gate on my bathroom door so DS cant get in but I can still hear him. I close all doors in hallway apart from his bedroom door (and the blocked bathrrom door) so basically he can go into his bedroom and the hallway and is safe but kept out of the bathroom while I have a shower. I hate doing it though cos he whines at me and it is easier to just have one when he goes for a nap.

I also had to get new shoes - my 15 month old is in size 6 shoes! thankfully though my parents offered to buy them for him which I gratefully accepted. I was very proud but since H left I have had no choice but to drop my pride.