Feeling guilty about being a single parent

[joysexreno]

Yesterday, I took my daughter to a socially distanced Easter egg hunt. For part of the time, all the dads were swinging the children in the playground. She called out for me and for the first time, I felt what she is missing out with a single mum.

I left her dad shortly before Covid, so haven't had to deal with many situations like this.

Interested in others' thoughts on this. I almost want to go running back to him.

Nope. Don't go running back to him. I'm a lone parent and my daughter mentions daddy at nursery and we were at her little friends house last week and her friends dad came in and she called him daddy and wanted cuddles with him. I don't feel guilty in the slightest. There was a reason I left him. Her life is complete, just because her mum and dad aren't together doesn't mean she's missing out on anything or that you need to make up for anything because her dad isn't there. If anything, it just makes you an extra special mum :)

I think it's very easy to remember / imagine how things would have been with rose tinted glasses. If you were together would he have been there or had something better to do? Would he have actually done what those other dads were doing or been engrossed in his phone? If the latter she really isn't missing out and if the former he will probably step up in his contact time and she will have that anyway.

Don't feel guilty. I took my daughter to butlins and felt sad when I saw the other families. But then I told myself they aren't necessarily happy and I would be a wreck if I was still with my ex. She still sees her dad and loves spending time with him.

I agree with everything said so far. It's so easy to look back with Rose tinted glasses and her life is complete even though her parents are separated.

Look I'm sure you are doing your best for your child... And more👍
If it's any help, I used to look wistfully at the Sunday dad's with kids at the park.... Because at least their dad's were contributing whilst my partner was fishing most of the time. So to you, I'd have seemed happy but I wasn't.
We'll done. You're strong and I admire your courage x x x

@Eyevorbig0ne part of the reason I had to leave is because the ex was very entitled and largely useless. He probably would have attended the Easter egg hunt and drunk beers with the dads, then done a bit of performative parenting while out. When we got home, he would have disappeared...

I left my ex so my son doesn't grow up thinking non-stop alcohol is ok, or that some pretty vile opinions (that ex kept hidden until after DS was on the way) were ok either.

I provide everything for ds included male role models ( karate Sensei, swimming teacher, barber with whom ds talks fishing).

Be proud of what you provide. The fact that you are aware of her needs makes you a brilliant parent.