Festive season handhold

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if there is a thread for this already, but thought I would start one.

Christmas is such a wonderful time for people, and sometimes as we know it can be plain lonely.

I'm a solo parent to a beautiful little girl, she's amazing. I've been single since she was born, I have a close relationship with my parents but they are elderly now and one has dementia and not well at all.

Our extended family doesn't live in this country. And I'm not particularly close with my sibling.

Normally me and my DD would do things at Christmas with my parents but they are both ill and my dad isnt mobile anymore. Tomorrow we are with my sibling for Christmas.

I have great friends, but conscious they have their own families so I leave them alone.

Each year I'm finding it more and more hard at Christmas time, it ends up being me and my DD going out during Christmas just the two of us which is wonderful. But we see happy families with mum, dad and lots of children or families going out with other families and I long for that. It just accentuates what we don't have.

Today I've been so low, but put on a happy face for my DD. Doing all the normal things we would do. But I just feel empty. I feel like I've just made a mess of my life. We are automatically not invited out with other families with two parents.

Realistically I won't be able to meet anyone until my DD is an adult as I can't leave her with anyone, and a babysitter is expensive. I have come to terms that at my age, late 40's I'll never meet anyone.

Just wanted to share, and also open a place for others to go also need a hug x

I feel for you OP. I'm on friendly terms with ExH and we are co parenting well but it's very hard to deal with everything day to day and then with the loneliness too. I also often feel full of regret. I find any school holiday particularly hard and Christmas is the same.

Big un-MNetty hug for you. I've stayed up late for Christmas chores but now can't sleep at all. I've been unwell too and it all just hits home how lonely this time can be.

I really hope you have a good day with your DD.

Op I am mostly a solo parents but my evil ex demands the fun bits of parenting so is bullying me into handing my boy over today- id do much rather be in your shoes having your little girl all to yourself! Maybe try and make friends with another local solo mum and team up together next year or just enjoy a special day just you too

There’s an app called Frolo which is for single parents and connects you with other single mums and dads for meet ups etc.

they have events on too, so you can go with your DD.

where in the country are you?

Ps where do you live?