Been there done that, yes mam. I totally agree. If not for my kids I would go insane. But you need adult time too. At least every now and then. Hard to hold an adult conversation when there are no adults around.

Me... I have 2 little ones. To make it worse, my closest family is 19 hours away. We moved out here almost 4 years ago and the first couple years were really rough in regards to my sanity. I was able to date, but had to be creative about it and was fortunate to meet patient men (for the most part).

In the last couple years I've made great friends that have become family. This helps so much! I joined my gym last year and they have kids programs that my 2 love. My son has also started babysitting in the last year. You have no idea how wonderful this is.

Things have definitely gotten a lot better, but it's still hard to deal with the discipline. I want to be the nurturer, but my son is at the point where he wants to test his boundaries on a lot of issues. It's also just draining....I help one with homework and then the other is ready to sit and read, finish with that and the first wants to play a game. Then the normal household chores, baseball practices, games, etc. Luckily, they are both pretty awesome. I just feel like they deserve more sometimes.

I know what you mean. The only adult interaction that I get is at work for a short period of time during lunch. It has been just me and my son since he was 2 months old, and now he is 7. I am lucky enough to have my mom an hour away and if I really need her, she will come and help out, but when it comes to the day to day issues (discipline, finances, homework, etc.) it is just me. I am lucky to have a bf who adores my little man, but we only get to see each other a few times a month b/c he lives over an hour and a half away.

Single mom of a 14 year old hooligan. Sigh...It can be rough sometimes.(Lots of times). I'm blessed that I recruited my disabled father to help out so I'm not entirely alone.

Getting attention from other adults is pretty key to not having full fledged breakdowns.

Ah yes. My DD is 13, and I parent 100% of the time, work full time and don't have much family support. I rarely go out, except for work but have friends over to my place for dinner, or go out for Saturday or Sunday lunch. Most of the time I get most of my adult needs met at work, and the other needs.... Well... They'll have to wait...

Yep, it's tough. But my DD is the best thing that happened to me, I love her so much, she's growing into a beautiful young lady. And I'm going to take the credit!!

I can relate to all of you. I've been solo parenting for a little over 4 years now. My son is 6 years old. I have sole responsibility for everything including financially. I work full-time. Was going to school part-time as well but finally got burned out and decided to take some time off (I have a bachelor's degree but I was working toward a second one as prereqs for a masters). I finally decided my son is more important and that the time I have now with him I can never get back. I love him soooooo much. Some days I wish I co-parented because let's face it we all need a break. But most of the time I am really glad I don't co-parent because I know I'd be a mess while he was with his dad because I don't trust him. I do have a sister who lives nearby but she is super busy so she helps if I really need it but I try not to ask. I have been fortunate to form some good friendships and switch off with some other single moms and families. I don't date, I don't have money to pay sitters all the time as I barely make it on what I am making. Most of the time my little man goes with me wherever I go, he's my sidekick. I do feel lucky that we have a really close bond. I wish working out were a little easier. I'd love to just go for a run or something but never can because what would I do with him. So for now I settle for exercise dvds and walks. Although I have to say I have a proud mama moment today when my son finally mastered the starting and stopping on his bike (he knew how before but his bike was too small and this new one is a little too big) so I am tossing around the idea of taking up running with him biking. I usually like to do my workouts at 5AM though so I don't slack off. Anyways hang in there single moms and dads. We can do it!

My kids visit their mom a couple weekends per month, so I can't really relate. But honestly, I think I would prefer to just have them 100% of the time. All my friends are either married or dating someone, and I don't date. So I usually just end up sitting at home alone when they are gone anyway.

I have some really good friends who do share custody and switch weekends and stuff and they tell me the same thing. They also say most of the time their kids are with the other parent they are worried about them or missing them so it's not a true break.

Hello,
new to this group i am a single mother to a 27 month old girl . I am on a new lifestyle change once i get use to this i will be putting my daughter on the same path as myself. Not that that she eats bad just the grandparents like to give her cookies,sweets a lot which i don't really like. I wish i could get her to eat vegtebles but she does like fruit !

I am in the same boat as you only my girls are 4 and 11! I have noticed that before this lifestyle change of mine that my bad habits where rubbing off on them. Also, grandparents sure take that spoiling stuff to another level with the treats. Its so nice to get a break from the grandparents but how do you tell them not to give the kids sugary treats?