Single mom moments..

[becwheat]

I am now remarried and have been had a "traditional" family for almost two years now yet I still have single mom moments.

-When people complain about not having help for a couple days... My inner single mom laughs.

-When I am getting ready for a small weekend trip and I did all the laundry and packed all the bags (including my husband's) because I have a habit of over-planning and prepping ahead

-When I still feel a weird moment of hesitation when DH says he will pay a bill that technically is only in my name. I was so used to just taking everything on myself.

-I am pregnant with my second child now and I am trying to realize that I will have live in help. It is strange and foreign! He has 2 weeks of paternity leave and will be staying home alone with the baby when I go back to work... Weird... but good I guess.


I just wanted to share this with you all, because once you are a single parent a part of you will always be a single parent. Things will get better and you may move on and remarry, but you will not forget or lose sight of your fellow single parents and their struggle. Never hesitate to post your questions, vents and problems. We are all here to help.

[lolo918]

Thank you for sharing this becwheat.

[freezorburn]

Thank you for your thoughtful post. I think being a single parent is one of those experiences that forever changes you. I never thought I'd be here, but I'm finding as I go through my days that I feel like I'm relating to a whole new-to-me aspect of the human experience. My whole reality is shifting. I'm finding out what my friendships are made of, and I'm also finding bonds with other single parents. It's totally "when a door closes a window opens," and I think you're very right -- I'm going to be offering solidarity to other single parents wherever I find them, for the rest of my life.

[ontherock2012]

Thank you for this.

[saltypearl]

"When people complain about not having help for a couple days... My inner single mom laughs." I am still irritated by this!

My biggest single mom moment since DH passed was yesterday. We have a hard deadline at work and everyone else was staying to make sure it was under control, I walked out before everyone else because it was only me that is there to pick up the kids from DC. That was a hard moment and the feeling of being torn between a work responsibility and my responsibilities as a parent was horrid.

In other news however, my portion of the deadline was complete and signed off before any one elses, so I guess I'm kicking ass and taking names after all.

[arb213]

Amen becwheat!

[Deleted]

Oh Hell Yes. I am a single mom- and recently blending families with a SO and her 2 kiddos. But sometimes I forget that I can have help with something. And am shocked to find a light bulb changed or something small, because I haven't found the time yet... I don't think I will ever let go of some of that. And Im proud of what my 5 year old and I have done together. Yes, my house is cleaner, there's dinner on, and the groceries are here... but we did every thing that's done now, albeit more slowly. Even as we slowly merge lives and finances and responsibilities.. The fact is that DS and I have an unshakeable bond that makes it possible to love the others in our fold.

Also- we built a network of people DS and I, that we love and count on. We have friends that are family- and Ive noticed my partner who was formerly partnered-does not. Theres a strength in building our web of familiars, that coupled people seem not to rely on quite as much. I treasure our "extended family" and I don't intend to let them go

[jennaleigh23]

When I'm out with friends or family they cringe as they watch me lugging the infant carrier seat and diaper bag around and offer to help and I say, I've been doing this on my own for three months now, I got this.

[wicked22]

So while I do everything on my own I rely on my sister so I can run small errands without DS when its cold or rainy after DS goes to bed. About 2 months ago I didn't stop at the store on the way home because I figured id just get diapers after DS went to bed because she's be home. She went to dinner then sent a text she was staying the night at her bf. DS went to daycare in a little swimmer and we got diapers on the way home the next day.