New found respect for single mothers

[milcmxxx]

Not that I didn’t have respect for single mums before!! But I feel like I couldn’t do this without my partner!! Easily the hardest (yet most rewarding) job in the world, I love love love my baby but some days I can’t wait for 5pm so I can hand her to my partner so I can have an hours peace - but then take her back because I miss her about 30 mins later 😂 single mothers you are amazing !!!!!

I wasnt offended but others might have, sorry if i was coming across as that. Parenting is hard work and rewarding at the same time. Single parent since my 2 were 6 and 8, they are now 22 and 20.

I take my hat off to single mums.

Thanks OP. Single parent of two here. Although I pass kudos down to single parents of toddlers and babies in lockdown. Mine are older now. Locked in with a toddler is a whole new level of horror.

Jesus give the girl a break. She's praising single mothers!
OP I feel the same. I have my partner on hand 24-7 with our 11 week old as he's furloughed and honestly, I'm actually dreading him going back to work 😆

Yes we do. I'm a widow (kids 4 and 6 at the time). My mother was mid 80s then and soon moved to another country to join my sisters, but my cousin helped, especially with practical things early on.
We cope because we have to. Having to deal with the day to day of bringing them up kept me going, though I sure had moments of madness early on! Now they are teens and great kids. Miss their Dad every day.

Theres nothing worse than being with a partner/husband who is a man child. Im a single mum of three. I find it easier this way.

I agree. Especially now I'm pregnant with a toddler. I rely on my partner a lot!

I needed to hear this. Thanks, you have made my day

I’ve really struggled in lockdown with 3DC and full time WFH. I’ve been very close to mental breakdown looking after them, and, at the same time, trying to keep up with work.

They are mostly on screens. No school work done. I’m a wreck

I agree with mood hoovering. Hoovering up any joy in anything and turning it into something offensive. Done on most threads on here!

If ever anyone wants to find the pit of misery, just create a mumsnet account and get browsing 🙂. The place that takes offense to EVERYTHING

Gosh all the hurt feelings on here

It didn't really hit me how hard single mothers must have it until I had my own baby and suddenly I had some empathy. I have a hands on husband too.

I called my mother who raised two on her own to say thank you as I don't know how she managed financing & caring for us completely on her own. I thought she was brilliant anyway but now I can recognise her Bloody hard work and sacrifice!

Solidarity to all those wonder women out there. Sorry society still gives you are hard time you're awesome.

Thank you

I’m not offended! I’ve been on my own since pregnancy and those early days were HARD! I used to be a nanny and remember telling my midwife in hysterical sobs that I was sure I would be FINE once the baby was here

Ds is nearly 9 now and bloody awesome - we make a great team and I’ve really enjoyed lockdown and hanging out with him. If this had been 8 years ago I would have been a mess though!

I found life far easier when a single mother the house wasn't as tidy but life was much simpler and although there was always a pile of ironing waiting to be done and pots in the sink I was very aware she would grow up and my house could be spotless then. I homeschooled and rushed her from one club to another but our relationship was strong and she became willing to help around the house as she got older so the jobs got done quicker and we had more time together. We became a team.

I wish my partner was like this. Honestly I've been a single mum once before and found it easier as I was living with my parents (I was 20) now, 8 years later I've had a baby with partner and baby won't even go to him without crying as he's not put the effort in to bond, too busy working.

But totally get what you mean. I've been huffing and puffing the last few weeks about being a single mum, and I don't have my mum here to help because of lockdown so it seems harder.

Waaaah :-(

@whatwherewhy homeschooling, wish I could do this full time. Also agree there's a lack of anxiety when single. No one to answer to, no one nagging about the house and dinner, worse still having partner working from home during lockdown to heighten this. I feel robbed of my mat leave if I'm honest x