Page 7 | Single mum

PITH1 · 2023-03-19T21:41:12+00:00

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

Yolo12345 · 30/03/2023 00:33

Also just in case you weren't aware of this and meet be eligible - school clothing grant: www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-and-educational-grants/free-school-meals-and-clothing-grant/

backawayfatty1 · 30/03/2023 00:48

Welcome to Scotland ❤️

Shhht · 30/03/2023 01:44

Of this is such a heartwarming thread to read!! So please it's going so well for you.

LadyJ2023 · 30/03/2023 01:44

Well done you for trying to make a better life for you and your family. It won't be easy but if you put yourself out there, keep an open mind scottish people are very friendly and warm hearted

Seymour5 · 30/03/2023 06:59

I think it's great how you took the chance for a better life OP. I'm also pleased that you've already had good experiences with neighbours. But please be aware that you might just hear some anti English crap. Don't let it bother you, it comes from the hard of thinking!

I'm Scottish, DH moved to Scotland as a child, and he and his brother didn't have the best time.

Rainbowqueeen · 30/03/2023 11:10

Love this thread so much I nominated it for classics.

Your updates are fab OP, you did something that is incredibly scary and just look at the results. Well done you

nobodygirl2023 · 30/03/2023 11:16

PITH1 · 29/03/2023 21:59

Thanks so much for checking in 😊 we are settling in nicely! I spoke to my housing officer who is really great and helped me apply for a community care grant which will provide a fridge freezer, cooker, washing machine, beds and a couple of other bits like a clothes airer and a table and chairs. Really grateful as I didn't know any of this was an option. My neighbour also asked on his Facebook group and I've now got a few more bits which people have given me such as a bathroom organiser, chest of drawers etc! I offered money but nobody would take any so that was super kind. I've also ordered flooring for the lounge from a cheap online place and I've had an independent carpet fitter I found online come and give me a very reasonable quote to fit it when it arrives so that's great .. One room at a time 😊 my kid's are really enjoying their new schools and my daughter has had no trouble making friends although I never really worried about her as she's so sociable! The school is less than a 2min walk from my new home which feels bloody luxurious as our old school run was over 30min walk! The teachers are nice and I'll to go any upcoming school events to try and meet people. We have a park right next to our house too and a swimming pool so I think I'll take them swimming tomorrow and then maybe the park in the afternoon. I'm surrounded by lovely countryside and I feel so lucky. I went on the train in to Glasgow yesterday when they were at school and the views that I went past were amazing! It all feels new and different atm but new and different is good. The nervous feelings have gone and soon everything will be more familiar. I've had some trouble with getting confused by phrases people are using such as, where do you stay? Instead of where do you live and things like, "the now", "just now" and other things we don't say in England 😄 but we are off to a great start I would say! X

Ha! As a Glasweigan this made me laugh. I dont know if I even realised "where do you stay?" was a Scottish thing but thinking about it, its probably an exclusively West Coast thing 🤣

Laurdo · 30/03/2023 11:20

Us Scots are famous for our excellence hospitality. You'll be welcomed with open arms.

Good on you for being brave and making a move. I don't want to get into a political debate but personally I think Scotland is a great option for raising kids especially as a single mum. Free prescriptions, school meals and should they want to when they're older university is also funded by our government.

happysingleversary · 30/03/2023 11:23

You just have to have the attitude that it's an adventure.
You're starting a new life, building a family, putting down roots. It's brilliant, and no real reason for it to be scary.

Being a parent puts you in contact with lots of people.

School activities, after school clubs, your work or your interest groups.

I envy you!

Original poster

PITH1 · 30/03/2023 11:41

Thanks so much everyone 😊 I was confused by another word this morning which is "outwith", I had to Google it to know what it meant 😄 it doesn't exist in England! Wrt the anti English thing, I've not experienced anything negative and I definitely live in a very pro independence area, lots of flags and stickers in the windows and my neighbour on the other side has actually painted his garden bench blue and white and written "FREEDOM" across it, he still says hi to me though, even after he heard my southern English accent, so I think it's ok 😄 I always thought it was an anti Westminster thing rather than an anti English thing? I'm not very knowledgeable about politics I must admit but I just find that if you're a nice person then most people are nice back x

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happysingleversary · 30/03/2023 11:49

PITH1 · 30/03/2023 11:41

Thanks so much everyone 😊 I was confused by another word this morning which is "outwith", I had to Google it to know what it meant 😄 it doesn't exist in England! Wrt the anti English thing, I've not experienced anything negative and I definitely live in a very pro independence area, lots of flags and stickers in the windows and my neighbour on the other side has actually painted his garden bench blue and white and written "FREEDOM" across it, he still says hi to me though, even after he heard my southern English accent, so I think it's ok 😄 I always thought it was an anti Westminster thing rather than an anti English thing? I'm not very knowledgeable about politics I must admit but I just find that if you're a nice person then most people are nice back x

Yes it does :) It's a cool word I use it a lot since learning it.

Original poster

PITH1 · 30/03/2023 11:50

Thanks Yolo12345 for the links too, I didn't know about the uniform grant so that's really great and the Easter event too. I'm going to that area tomorrow to a secondhand furniture shop that delivers to find a sofa x

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Laurdo · 30/03/2023 12:00

PITH1 · 30/03/2023 11:41

Thanks so much everyone 😊 I was confused by another word this morning which is "outwith", I had to Google it to know what it meant 😄 it doesn't exist in England! Wrt the anti English thing, I've not experienced anything negative and I definitely live in a very pro independence area, lots of flags and stickers in the windows and my neighbour on the other side has actually painted his garden bench blue and white and written "FREEDOM" across it, he still says hi to me though, even after he heard my southern English accent, so I think it's ok 😄 I always thought it was an anti Westminster thing rather than an anti English thing? I'm not very knowledgeable about politics I must admit but I just find that if you're a nice person then most people are nice back x

It's 100% an anti-Westminster thing. You'll maybe get the odd joke about being English but it'll all be in jest. I'm glad you're settling in and the neighbours are friendly.

Yolo12345 · 30/03/2023 12:36

Could be worse @nobodygirl2023 - in Aberdeen they say "faur d'ye bide?" :)

bizzywiththefizzy · 30/03/2023 14:33

I love the word outwith , it is the best Scottish word ever . Also I'm glad you are settling in well .😃

pharmagal · 30/03/2023 20:54

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

TicTac80 · 30/03/2023 21:16

I love this thread! @PITH1 , you're bloody amazing! Well done for taking the plunge and going for it. I hope that you and the kids settle in quickly. I don't know you, but I'm so proud of you. Such a brilliant and brave thing to do! Well done! xx

Original poster

PITH1 · 31/03/2023 21:22

Thanks everyone ☺️ our first week complete! Time for the Easter holidays now! Kids are really enjoying their new school and I have a sofa! Well I will on Monday when it is delivered. Found a secondhand charity shop that delivers 😊 soo excited to sit on my new sofa and watch TV. I also went to B&M today and got some cheap little decor bits which have made the place look really nice. I saw they were selling really pretty mosaic pattern vinyl flooring too for only £48 a roll. My bathroom is tiny so one roll will definitely do. That's next on my list .. I also got some lovely scented candles and it smells beautiful in here 😊 xx

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sonicmum2002 · 31/03/2023 21:40

Aaaahhh, that's made my day reading your update!

bizzywiththefizzy · 31/03/2023 22:15

Excellent news op 💪.

Weedoormatnomore · 01/04/2023 20:00

Don't worry about the lingo Glaswegians can be in a league of their own ! I used to go on hols there from western Isles. I got lost understanding them at time so did they with me 🤣. As long as your smiling you will be fine. Wee ones is little ones I still say that and my English mates still look at me strangely.

Yolo12345 · 10/04/2023 15:42

Happy Easter OP! Hope you are enjoying the school holidays. Hope you are settling in ok - thinking of you xx 🐣

Ricco12 · 10/04/2023 15:58

@PITH1 I noticed you mentioned the train. Kids travel for £1 anywhere in Scotland on the train too which is handy, don't book on line though you have to get tickets on the train or at the station to get the £1 deal for kids. You can take up to 4 kids with you.

Forgooodnesssakenow · 10/04/2023 16:01

If you have young kids especially go on Facebook and look for the local community page, announce your arrival and ask for kids groups, Scotland, especially Glasgow and surrounding areas, is so lovely and welcoming and parents especially always seem keen to make friends.

Original poster

PITH1 · 12/04/2023 12:27

Hi everyone ☺️ thanks for the comments! Just thought I would update to say that we've settled in really well and our home is coming together now 😀 I've had the flooring fitted in the lounge and have now got a sofa and wooden table and chairs which I got both for free from Gumtree! I just had to pay someone to collect them 😊 we also have a washing machine and I'm waiting to hear back from the community care grant about a few other things we applied for but my housing officer seems positive. I can't wait to have a cooker and make a roast dinner! And eat it at my new table! We've been exploring the place and have been on some absolutely gorgeous walks at Loch Lomond, Balloch Park! Just beautiful. I love Glasgow too and have been there on the train a couple times which only cost about 6 quid for all of us! There are lots of free things to do there like museums etc. My son loves pirates and when we go to Glasgow on the train we go past water with a load of half sunken old boats and he thinks it's a real life pirate scene 😆 I'm lucky that they have both settled so well at school. We are going swimming again today as I got a special card for it and maybe just to McD's for dinner as it's just up the road. There is only so much ravioli I can take 😆 all in all, we are really happy and I'm so glad I made the jump and moved here. I love my house and can't see myself ever going back to England now. It's been nice to leave the bad memories behind. X

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