Just a vent really, wondering how other single parents are getting on?
I'm a single parent to 14 yo dd and 9 yo ds. Fuck me, it's hard enough in normal times, but this year has been just relentless.
I'm a full time Masters student, and am falling behind, I should really be completing my studies when the kids are in bed, however I'm usually either exhausted, or feeling so isolated, lonely and overwhelmed that I video call my friends. I realise I need to prioritise studies in the upcoming weeks though.
My daughter is luckily reasonably self sufficient. She is cracking on with her online schooling so well, has developed her own timetable that works for her, which I am so proud of. She suffers with severe anxiety and low self esteem but is reallt excelling these days in most areas.
My son however, has always detested school and forced learning. He is a bright little thing but has a short attention span if he is not interested in something. Today was his first day of online learning via Teams and he had two meltdowns whilst in class. He's been on and off crying since then.
He has had a lot of change recently, his Dad, who he is very close to has had to up his hours at work, which essentially means our son sees him only once a week, I know this is causing him distress.
The running of the house, the kids up and down emotions/falling apart, is just too much for me at times and I feel like I'm drowning most of the time and about to explode at others. My son is supposed to be doing schoolwork today but just melts down at the thought of it, so I gave him an hour to watch Youtube videos and am now avoiding calling him downstairs to do it as I can't deal with seeing him so distressed, though I know his school work is incredibly important.
Added to the mix, I have a uni presentation due in just under two weeks, and the tutor assigned me a partner for it, around 5 weeks ago. We have hit it off massively, we met outdoors a few weeks back and although he's almost 10 years younger than me, is mature and incredibly emotionally supportive. I am due to meet him in town tomorrow while my son is at his Dads and my daughter stays home to do her schoolwork.
After being in a 12 year toxic relationship with my sons Father, this guy says something nice to me and I just cry at how lovely he is.
Just struggling so much to juggle life right now.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated xx