Single parent - what happens when you are sick

[CM1897]

For people whose ex-partner is involved in their child’s life…

Does your ex-partner help when you are too sick to look after your child, or do they have an excuse every time?

We have a 3 year old daughter and I have epilepsy. Rarely I will have a seizure which makes me feel too ill to take care of our daughter, but my ex-partner will never help outside of his contact hours. Am I silly to feel frustrated over this?

If he is ever poorly, he just doesn’t turn up

Hi just wanted to sympathise and say I've always just had to muddle through when I've been I'll my ex was no help either.

Can I ask you to make sure you check in with someone every morning as you have epilepsy and your 3 year old would be in danger if anything happened to you. Sorry if you already do that

It's really frustrating and I share your pain.
I've been floored with covid this week, and my youngest had to stay off school twice as I couldn't get him there.
His dad will only have him on his set days

You manage. Somehow. You put snacks and drinks where your child can easily access them. You turn on the tv, have toys etc stored where your child can get them out (and put them away) and you teach them how to ring for help if need be. You quietly lie on the sofa whilst they do their thing in the lounge. I was seriously ill whilst my two were 3&5 for a few years and this is what I did.

My ex never does extra. He didn’t see the kids at all for 4 years and now only sees them around his work shifts when it suits him and he doesn’t drive so I just have to make it work around him. Fuck all help if I’m sick.

I remember one really awful week when I had an infection that got bad, and I actually had to crawl into the kitchen to make them breakfast and dinner, and crawling around getting clothes sorted before getting a friend to take them to school etc. You just have to do it.