Single mum

[PITH1]

I'm 30, a single mum of 2 DC (7 and 3), broke and moving 8 hours away to Scotland next week where we don't know a soul. I'm currently living in temporary accommodation and have no chance of being housed where I currently live. I added myself to open housing lists all over the UK and have been offered a gorgeous little maisonette flat in Scotland on the edge of a small town about 30min from Glasgow. Lots of green space and a small school. Have visited and really liked it. My children's father doesn't want anything to do with them and hasn't since my youngest was born so that isn't an issue. I don't have family support and I haven't been happy for a long time here and have been wanting a fresh start but I'm nervous and it's taken a lot of guts for me to do this. Does anyone have any stories/tips about moving far away on your own? Especially with young DC. Or can anyone tell me their experience of living in Scotland? Making friends there? Thanks for reading x

[Freshstarts22]

No advice but I think you’re incredibly brave and your kids would be proud of you if they understood.

My gut says if you have no ties to where you are now and no support, then go for it.

[Cocacolathanks]

No advice but didn’t want to read and run - what you’re doing is fantastic and I wish you the best. Your children are lucky to have a kindhearted mum like you x

[Weedoormatnomore]

Just want to wish you good luck. Hope the move goes well. Scottish folk are very friendly !

[Tabitha888]

No advice but you are so brave and amazing for doing the best for your kids x

[MumOf2workOptions]

You sound an amazing Mum putting your kids first
I wish you every success with your new adventure ❤️

[WineIsMyMainVice]

No real advice I’m afraid but I just wanted to wish you every success and good luck. You are doing the right thing for your children and that’s what a great parent should do. It will be nerve wracking at times but go with your gut!
Good luck op.

[coodawoodashooda]

Good luck. What an amazing opportunity

[Beautifulsunflowers]

Oh how brave!
my advice would be to say yes to everything you are invited to and smile at people and say hello!
Get to know your neighbours, the other parents at school or nursery and join loads of things - get your 7 yr old enrolled in the local beavers/cubs.
This is going to be a new chapter for you! Good luck x

[bizzywiththefizzy]

I too wish you good luck and hope you and the children have an amazing future ahead of you . 🤞🏻

[AdoraBell]

Good luck 🤞

We moved to South America for work but that was with my supportive DH. I cannot imagine how it is as a single parent. Hope you all settle well.

[qwertykeyboards]

Wishing you all the best on this new chapter in your life!🤍

[Divorcedalongtime]

I haven’t moved far away with children but I have moved 1.5 hrs away with children three times at different ages and it’s been just fine. Harder for me than for them tk make friends the older I’ve become. When I moved first after divorce they were 5.3 and 1 or thereabouts and we all made friends after a while and it was a great adventure.
I hope it goes well

[TinyTornado]

I had a year working in America and didn’t know anyone - just sorted the job and went. (Didn’t have young dc though) I had a great time and also met a really good friend - who is from Glasgow. I’ve visited her in the city several times and have always found people very friendly and welcoming.
advice- when you move and start feeling settled, go join in with things, PTA etc.
See if there’s any local groups. Also look on Facebook- most places have a group where you can post, maybe put something up saying you are new to area and asking if anyone would meet up. Peanut is another thing I’ve heard recommended.
If you are in the slightest bit religious the local church will likely have coffee /meet up/messy church rather than the actual service.
Best of luck!

[Purpleturtle45]

I live about 30 mins from Glasgow, where are you moving too? Scottish people are very friendly!

[Starseeed]

Amazing! Scotland is really friendly. Maybe join an app like Peanut or Bumble to find a few friendly faces before you get there.

[Seasidemumma77]

Good luck. Hopefully with a preschooler and a school aged child you'll meet lots of parents and make some good friends.

[cocksstrideintheevening]

Good luck! You've got this.

[PITH1]

Thank you so much everyone for the kind and supportive comments, really means a lot. My 7yo is very excited so that helps. The school she will be attending only has 180 pupils which is nice as her current school has 90 pupils in her year group alone. My 3yo has delayed speech and some additional needs so I think he will benefit from being in a smaller school too. Everyone was very friendly when we visited and the countryside was out of this world beautiful x

[Jadviga]

I haven't been in your situation but I have moved. A lot. To various countries. My advice :

• the most difficult time is the 3-6 months period - after the novelty has worn off but before new habits are in place. Weather it and it'll get better.
• look for local second hand sales - either online or irl. You'll surely need a bunch of bits and pieces to settle into the new place and it'll be much cheaper that way
• look for local groups/activities that would be fun for the kids.
• when meeting new people/other mums don't be shy and go say hi. You're new so you need to do the work to build new relationships (the others don't, they already have their own circles - you need to do the work to enter those circles).
• don't look too far ahead. Each day is enough to deal with at a time
• try and make the space your children's. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, it can be something as simple as moving some furniture around and hanging some posters

[WorkerBee83]

You’re so brave and I hope it’s a wonderful new start for you and your children. I would say maybe see what kids groups are local to you for you and your 3yo so you can make some mum friends, Facebook might have local mum groups and also see what things your older child has going on at school. Good luck xx

[Lefteyetwitch]

This genuinely sounds like the very beginning of an amazing life.

Good Luck!

[Reclining]

Keep a diary and publish it!

[samqueens]

You’re doing an amazing thing and you are so brave! You should be really proud of yourself.

I haven’t done this but I’d just say take your time - you don’t need to meet your new best friend day one. Be warm and friendly and take your time to suss out who you like and what the vibe is at mum’s groups and so on. And say yes to as many invitations, groups and opportunities as you can. Don’t be downhearted if it doesn’t happen all at once, just having your own place and a lovely environment to be in will make such a difference. All the luck in the world with it!!

[hamstersarse]

Good for you!

Sounds like a great move. Wish you all the best

I’m a SP but I never did such a brave move, mainly because I had good housing.

I think you’ll get on just great, you are clearly one of life’s courageous optimistic types

[Livinginanotherworld]

This sounds like a great opportunity for a fresh start. The fact you have little ones will help you get to know other mums and dads at the school gate and various activities. Be brave and go for it, I don’t think you’ll regret it. Good luck.