Loneliness as a single parent

[AHungryCaterpillar]

Does anyone else feel lonely as a single parent? I don’t know if it’s just me but whenever I go to places I seem to be the only one there on my own, always see families or groups of friends but don’t really see any other parents on their own. For example took my kids to soft play yesterday and I was the only one in there on my own (it was hard not to notice) Even the woman when I paid said “just the one adult?” I don’t know where all the other single parents go.. I can’t even meet anyone or date as I’m a lone parent, I’ve honestly never felt so lonely or isolated as I do as a parent, I can go for days without speaking to another adult. before kids and I was alone and single I never felt like this (probably because I didn’t go to places aimed at families) I have a couple of friends but they don’t have children so don’t want to come to places and I rarely see them now, and I am not close with my family. I’ve been single a long time so it’s not that I am not use to it I guess I didn’t know just how lonely it would be, it’s very isolating I dread days out. Everywhere I go there are families even if it’s not couples it’s extended families like aunties grandparents etc

I'm a LP too but my dd is now nearly 14.

I've been lonely and odd one out but quite frankly now I just think I rock with the LP thing as dd is awesome and it's all down to me (this annoys her as she thinks it's down to her ). So when I'm out with her now I just think people must be envious of our relationship. DD is always saying her friends can't believe how close we are. Harder to get that in a 2 parent family. I also think being able to do this on my own financially is pretty damm amazing .

Hang on in there, as pp have said, it gets easier

I'm finding my way through this after DW sadly passing away just over a year ago. We have 2 primary aged DC.

I've been trying to internally articulate how I feel recently, but it's obviously taken time to get here and it will always be a case of adjustment.

I'm not lonely in the sense of I have the fab DC. We are lucky and have GP nearby who are very involved and good friends.

BUT, and this is the clincher; I don't have the other person to share all aspects of life with that only a spouse/partner/parent can. They can never be replaced, irrespective of help from family and friends, it's not the same and won't be. I think that's the crux of why I feel lonely sometimes.

But we crack on don't we, we have to and we do. Wishing all those find their way through on their own all the best.

l think you have to really commit to making a go of it as a single parent, to not view yourself as lacking or incomplete. One good parent is enough.
l understand that it can be excruciating lonely at times, l have often felt those feelings myself, but l refuse to live half a life because l am on my own.
"Single parents do the work of two on the wage of one, and often feel feelings others don' t."
That's no easy feat, so hold your head up and be proud.
l found walking a dog is a great way to naturally meet people, and my friend has just taken on an allotment and they seem like very friendly folk, not sure if that would be an option, could also get kids involved.

I do understand that feeling ... for me it's Christmas when I really start to feel a bit down about being alone mostly as I feel that my DD is missing out from not having family around and everything is geared to family at Xmas isn't it
But I look at the other side and think how stress free being just us actually is compared to the crappy life we had when she was younger and I don't think I would even want to be in a relationship now( been single for years and years )
I do think it can be harder to make friends as you get older too but it def can happen x

I totally relate to what you are saying. I have had several periods like that but I have found it easy to find other lone parents who have been a lifesaver through our.

There are a lot of us, last time I checked stats, 50% of marriages ended in divorce which means that plenty of children in your DC have parents going through the same as you and may also need a friend.

I notice them as we normally look a bit frazzled and are the ones who always do the drop ins and pick ups alone, the ones who are alone at parents evenings and school events. You just need to stand next to one who has a child the same age as one of yours, a 10 minute conversation may be enough to find a common ground. Smile, be friendly and people will open up to you and your kids. There will be some who won’t but it is worth it to keep trying.

I have a partner now but for years the whole of my social life involved meeting with other lone parents and their kids. There are also a lot of other women who may not be lone parents but may also feel as you: expats wives, forces wives and those who are married to people who travel a lot for work. If you lend a hand/provide support, you may make a new friend. Do not give up.

Thanks all, I’m glad it’s not just me although sorry to hear others also feel lonely, I haven’t tried apps or anything like that I find the idea a bit forced and I would have liked friendships to happen a bit much naturally like through the children at school etc but it just didn’t happen. I no longer see the other parents at pick up or drop off so that’s not an option now. It has helped to know I’m not alone and not the only one feeling this way.