Does anyone ever just discuss being a single parent...

LightTouch

and not constantly ask about child support or custody or any of that stuff??

I have lurked for a while, mainly because all the posts are about stuff you should be calling your lawyer about or child services.  I as hoping for more discussion about being a mom (and, in my case also the dad) on your own.  

I used to be on the the month boards, but at some point, I just sort of found them less helpful.  I am in the process of getting a divorce and have been taking care of my now 11 month old daughter by myself since she was four months.  It doesn't matter why or how or what her dad is like.  I do it alone and I am the happiest I have ever been and wouldn't change it for the world.  I was just looking for other mom's in the same situation (married mom's don't get it). 

I know it appears I am a newbie to the bump (per my username and # of posts) but as I am sure many of you can understand, I had to change my username so the ex couldn't stalk me on here.

Anyone just want to chat about being a single parent and the ups and downs of it? 

 

 

 

LightTouch

I just realized this post might have sounded a bit snarky and I really, really didn't mean for it too.  Sorry about that. 

supermansmommy

There's a starting over board on TN that gets a lot of traffic from people who have moved forward with their lives post baby/custody/separation/divorce, etc. For me this board is super helpful because I'm going through a divorce and I had little to no knowledge of the process and how it works with a child involved. So I knew I could come here and ask questions and get responses from single parents, not just single people. I think single parenting can be a tough subject in general because literally every situation is different and everyone has their own little quirks to their personality, etc.

 What would you like to talk about if not the subjects currently being discussed?

supermansmommy

Also, I would love to discuss non-legal/dramatic topics

FyreFlyeRush

tifanico:

supermansmommy:

There's a starting over board on TN that gets a lot of traffic from people who have moved forward with their lives post baby/custody/separation/divorce, etc. For me this board is super helpful because I'm going through a divorce and I had little to no knowledge of the process and how it works with a child involved. So I knew I could come here and ask questions and get responses from single parents, not just single people. I think single parenting can be a tough subject in general because literally every situation is different and everyone has their own little quirks to their personality, etc.

 What would you like to talk about if not the subjects currently being discussed?

Something like, what is your routine to get out of the house in the mornings?

When do you find time to work out?

Those would be some examples of things that could be discussed.  

Oh, lord! My routine to get out of the house is insane! I'm trying to figure out how I did this the first time around. Having to move a car seat in and out of a two door car doesn't help any, lol.  I think it helped the first time my car didn't have airbags and nothing was known about infants seats in the front. I sat DD next to me.

LightTouch

Well, thank god I am not the only one. 

I would love to hear how other people manage their days, routines, etc. 

I am all alone, I have super duper supportive parents, but they live an hour away.  So I have to manage life for the two of us on my own.  And I am sure their are plenty of other parents on this board that can understand the challenges.  It is always good to hear there are others in your position or to learn tips and tricks from other parents.  People that don't live as single parents (espeically with a baby or very young child) don't realize that just doing simple things like doing laundry can become a challenge. 

My little pumpkin just started to walk, talk about a game changer. 

So..topics ladies...lets start simple, so if you are working moms (I am) how do you go about getting yourself and little one(s) ready in the morning and out the door?

 

rsp247

I hope I'll get to talk to you ladies about all that stuff once DD is born.

newenglandmomm

When I post I try to. Like I said before my daughters father has never been apart of her life and never will be. I have no input on child support, court issues or visitation rights. But it would be nice to just talk about being a single parent sometimes too.

expectingnothing

LightTouch:

So..topics ladies...lets start simple, so if you are working moms (I am) how do you go about getting yourself and little one(s) ready in the morning and out the door?

 

 I make lunches the night before and they eat their breakfast at school.  So mornings I go and wake them up around 6:50am, help DD2 get ready while DD1 gets dressed, then DD1 does her hair and primps herself and DD2 watches a show on my bed with the dog while I shower.  Once I'm ready we go downstairs, I let the dog out, get their lunches in their backpacks, coats on if needed, and we are out the door.   We try to leave by 7:20.  This morning once they were dressed they went downstairs because I left homemade smoothies in the fridge for them.

expectingnothing

Yeah 720 is our target, it's often 725-730... lately DD2 has been really picky about shoes, we will be walking out the door and she's still barefoot.  She's on a flip flop kick and I won't allow them to daycare - the director doesn't permit them, but other parents let their kids, so it ends up being a daily battle in my house.

 I'm no nonsense with the morning routine and I'm really no fuss with myself - I get dressed, comb my hair (it's just straight) and don't bother to blow it dry, my make up routine is less than 5 minutes and we are done.  And we all eat breakfast out of the house so it's just getting us dressed and all our bags and junk to the car in the mornings.

LightTouch

Geez, I would love to have a "sleeper".  My little girl gets up between 5 and 6.  Our goal is out the door by 7:20.  My biggest challenge at the moment is just keeping her enterainted while I try to shower and get ready, she is only a 11 months, so her attention span is short.  She ususally feeds herself a bottle for breakfast when she gets up and then plays a bit in her crib, all this while I shower and start to get dressed.  Now that she is a walker, she likes to come in the bathroom and play with her bath toys while I do my hair and make-up. 

We have oodles of time in the morning, so thats good.  (in case of diaper blow outs or something.)  I eat breakfast at work (just easier that way) and she has her bottle but then has real breakfast at daycare.  So right now, my only challenge is keeping her entertained and keeping her shoes on once I put them on.  Oh, and carrying my work bag, her daycare bag, my lunch bag, and her all to the car at the same time. 

I have to agree with the other poster...I am no non-sense in the morning, we have a job - to get ready and get out the door -  so lets do it. 

bexram

I work out every two hours..and at 3am and 6am. BFing Ohhhh you meant a real work out? like exercise? Boo, no time for that

LightTouch

bexram:

I work out every two hours..and at 3am and 6am. BFing Ohhhh you meant a real work out? like exercise? Boo, no time for that

 

HA ha!  Yeah.....yeah, my work out is walking the baby and a dog.  And not very fast I might add.  A good day is if we walk to daycare/work and then home...and then go for a walk with the dog.  I don't think any of that counts, but in my head it sounds perfectly legit. 

 

 

NikkiPinki

It will be very interesting to discuss everyday parenting! And the unforgettable moments we have

PrincessFiona9

I get all of my stuff ready and myself showered and dressed etc. The last thing I do is wake DD up, change her diaper and get her dressed and we're out the door. I get up 2 hours before my shift starts and work so I don't ever have to rush.