So I am an M single parent (1 child 50% residency by arrangement through family lawyers). I have freelanced for years but the work is getting too erratic and I am feeling pushed into getting a full-time desk-job again.
This is what's holding me back:
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I have no support network
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My ex-wife frequently assumes that I will be the one to do ad-hoc spells of childcare when she is on business. She has a partner who is not working atm and is available to be at home 50% of the time.
3) The crux. Because of extremely traumatic difficulties with my parenting in my childhood, I have been very mindful, from the start, of a need to develop a close and consistent bond with my child. I can't imagine suddenly disappearing out of his life by outsourcing my parenting to someone else... (who, anyway?)
- The holidays are the most intimidating thing here - there are just so many of them and I can't leave a pre-teen wandering around the streets. There a no suitable holiday schemes here for his age group.
I know you might just say, hey, suck it up like the rest of us, but point 3 has such a powerful impact that it's impossible to see it that way.