Question for Single Parents

Hi I am a single parent myself. Being a parent is not the easiest job in the world but I feel the most rewarding whether a single parent or part of a couple. I think the hardest thing I personally find is juggling all my time, between homelife, worklife and would love a bit more of a social life too, but this is where friends on here are great because I don't have to get someone I trust to look after my child when I sign on to meet them eh! Tiredness can be an issue and when they want to play you may just want to relax with a book instead, you haven't got the back up of another parent to say 'how dare you talk to your mother that way' etc. Fiances can be too but I also know a lot of couples who struggle there. I think as a single parent you worry more about whether you are doing a good job or not but as long as your children are shown love but with discipline too its ok. I do find it hard to be strict but know I have to as there is no one else to so I have to play good cop and bad cop which is a difficult ting to do, but having raised 2 of my three children totally as a single parent I think I have got the balance right somehow. My eldest is at university, my middle one in a better paid job than I am and neither have bought trouble to my door, my youngest is still too young but is a boy and very strong willed so I know I will have my work cut out there, but extremely loving. I don't feel any more stressed than most people but it would be lovely just to have a day off once in a while just to be me and relax to be Ellie rather than mum especially on a day where I am really tired, someone else to play, cook and clean and cuddle and read stories and to maybe have someone look after me for a change eh! I would rather be on my own though than be in a wrong relationship and have the love of my children. Ellie :D

My mom said the hardest thing about being a single parent is trying to be there for your kids when they need you but not being able all the time because your working and trying to put food on the table and pay bills so they will have a home. That it is hard sometimes to balance them both when your a single parent.

For me it was making all the decisions by myself....could they join this.....could they do that....and trying to do what is best for the whole family..including making all the decisions about money.....that was tough. I wanted them to have everything all the other kids had so......making the decisions was the hardest part...making the right one I guess!

I've been a single parent for many years, and it is a tough role to play both parents especially when the other one is absent altogether in the childs life. Trying to earn enough money to cover all the expenses and still be there for my daughters and get them to where they needed to be at the same time. Both of my daughters are older now, 22 and 18 but they still require my attention, one that will never go away. I've done the best that I can over the years, and it has made me a stronger person for doing it alone, and there are some thngs that I would change if I could, but live and learn and continue on with what God has given me. Speaking of which, I never did really do it alone, because with God's grace he got me through the most difficult times of being a single parent.

I was a single parent for about 3 months. Had 3 kids under 4 and another on the way. The hardest thing was the loneliness at night. I could cope during the day, but going to bed at night was so hard. I even took to sleeping on the couch with the tele on to keep that feeling away. Thankfully, it was only short term, but I certainly got a taste of what doing it alone all the time was like. I did learn so much about my strengths and weaknesses though, and my man did come back, so wasn't all bad. Now, I try and live every day like I'm a single parent, even though my partner is here. Never know when I will have to be single again, so better to be prepared for anything.

Although I am not a single parent, I have several friends who are. It is so hard for them because they have to do everything. They have to juggle family and work with no one to fall back on. I have one friend who's ex doesn't even pay his child support and it is very difficult on her.

the hardest things is doing everything, not having a spouse to help with activities, homework, meetings, decision making and discipline.