Parenting solo Share your stories

[happyfeet]

As most of us here know, parenting as a single parent can sometimes feel like a mountain to climb. But we're here and we're doing it!

Whether you recently became a solo parent or have been doing this for years, I want to hear from everyone - share your stories of triumph and hardship, how you keep yourself sane while flying solo and, if you've got them, tips to share with the group. Looking forward to hearing from all the amazing single parents here!

I'll go first! Being a parent has definitely had its challenges but I find joy in creating routines and sticking to them - it gives me some sense of control and helps my kids stay grounded, especially as their world felt so upside down when their other parent left. And I keep sane by taking "me time" whenever I can - whether that's an hour at the gym or a coffee catch up with a friend, it helps me feel like myself and keeps me going. Can't wait to hear your strategies!

 

[wellness]

Routines are everything! I've been a single parent for three years now and they help give some structure to our lives, especially on the days when it feels like everything's spinning out of control.

I make sure to schedule 'me time' too - which is usually spent catching up on sleep haha. But it also means I can get some work done or have a little creative outlet, which is important for sanity. I find time to meet friends every week too - it's good to have different support networks and people to lean on.

It's tough but we're doing a great job! Would love to hear others' strategies too

 

[techsavvy]

Routines are everything! I've been a single parent for three years now and they help give some structure to our lives, especially on the days when it feels like everything's spinning out of control.

I make sure to schedule 'me time' too - which is usually spent catching up on sleep haha. But it also means I can get some work done or have a little creative outlet, which is important for sanity. I find time to meet friends every week too - it's good to have different support networks and people to lean on.

It's tough but we're doing a great job! Would love to hear others' strategies too

Yes, different support networks are crucial! It's encouraging to know that other parents also find routines helpful. The sense of structure and control it brings gives some reassurance, especially during uncertain times. It's impressive that you've held down a routine for three years as a single parent!

What creative outlets do you like to engage in during your "me time"?

 

[bananarama]

Routines have been a lifesaver - they've helped me keep some semblance of structure and normalcy for my kid amidst all the uncertainty. The calm that it brings is such a relief too!

As for "me time", I love painting, mostly watercolours, although I'm not much of an artist. But it's calming and lets me express myself creatively. Also been getting into cooking - trying out new recipes when I have some extra time on weekends and finding solace in creating something delicious! What about you?

 

[doctormama]

Routines are an absolute godsend for giving structure to our otherwise crazy lives! It's wonderful how you've found a way to keep things grounded amidst the chaos.

That's awesome that you have hobbies like painting and cooking to help find some balance and calm, it's so important to have an outlet - especially one that you can just get lost in. Creating something is so satisfying, especially when it's delicious food! I find gardening quite relaxing too - there's something special about growing your own herbs and veggies, plus it's another creative outlet and encourages an appreciation of nature which the kids love.

What sort of recipes do you like cooking up? Anything that's a family favourite or is it more experimental?

 

[bubblyfish]

Routines are definitely my saving grace! I find having a few hobbies helps me stay sane and provides something fun to focus on, especially when the days feel long.

I love cooking and am slowly teaching my 10 year old some simple recipes too so she can take over dinner duties one day . I enjoy making delicious desserts and baked goods - cakes and sweets are my forte! But on a daily basis, quick and easy meals are more realistic. My go-to is a One Pan Lemon Chicken with loads of herbs and veggies - it's tasty, healthy and easy to prepare.

I also love growing our own herbs which makes cooking more fun - the kids enjoy helping too, especially with the planting and then watching everything grow. It's a nice little project and another good routine to have!

 

[luciana]

Routines are a real help for sanity! Hobbies are a great outlet, my go-to is knitting - easy to pick up and put down and I always feel like I've achieved something.

The cooking together is a lovely idea and a great skill for them to learn - and delicious too! That chicken sounds yum! And growing herbs is such a nice activity the whole family can enjoy and appreciate - plus it's practical and useful, kudos to you!

 

[greenfingers]

Cooking together is fun and something they'll always remember too; a great way for them to learn life skills. Herbs are an easy win - especially with the sensory aspect of touch and smell, engaging the senses, plus tasty!

The knitting is a lovely, soothing activity. I find it very meditative too - and so satisfying to see progress.

 

[mamamia]

Cooking is a fantastic way to engage kids and teach them life skills. My kiddo loves helping with herbs - we grew some last summer and it was so much fun for them to learn how they grow, smell them, and then use them in recipes!

I've not tried knitting yet but I agree it seems very calming and satisfying - might have to give that a go soon!

 

[wisdom]

Cooking is a fantastic way to engage kids and teach them life skills. My kiddo loves helping with herbs - we grew some last summer and it was so much fun for them to learn how they grow, smell them, and then use them in recipes!

I've not tried knitting yet but I agree it seems very calming and satisfying - might have to give that a go soon!

It does sound like a nice, simple hobby that has a good payoff. Might be an idea for an upcoming holiday activity! Are you thinking of any new activities or routines you'd like to introduce?

 

[nature]

It does sound like a nice, simple hobby that has a good payoff. Might be an idea for an upcoming holiday activity! Are you thinking of any new activities or routines you'd like to introduce?

With the kids around most of the time during the holidays, my activities will definitely need to keep them engaged. I'm considering signing up for some kid-friendly cooking classes - it'll be a fun way for them to socialise and learn new recipes too. As for routines, I've been thinking about introducing a bit more structure to their screen time - maybe setting aside specific tech-free periods, especially an hour before bed to wind down with some reading instead.

 

[stargazer]

Cooking classes sound like a fantastic idea! My kids also took part in some cooking classes over the summer, and it was amazing to see them not only enjoy themselves but also develop some valuable life skills - and make new friends!

Structuring their screen time sounds like a good move, especially liking up tech-free periods with reading time. I've found that having visual timers help reinforce these routines - plus, the kids love picking out which colour they want for the timer!

 

[musical]

Cooking classes were a blast and super beneficial for my kids too! They gained some independence and confidence in the kitchen and also enjoyed making friends outside of school.

I love the visual timer idea - I think that would go down well with mine! Anything to make the structure a little more fun and engaging is worth a shot.

 

[bubblyfish]

Cooking classes are a great idea! It's wonderful how it helped your kids gain independence and confidence, and also encouraged socialisation.

The visual timer sounds like a great tool to make parenting easier - especially if it adds some fun to structured activities. I might have to give that a go too!

 

[lioness]

It really does, especially when your child's other parent is nowhere to be seen and you want them to develop some essential life skills! I'm all about fostering independence and the cooking classes have been such a great find for this.

Let me know how you go with the timer - my kiddo loves the visual aspect and it's helped enormously with transitions.

 

[koala]

The cooking classes have really upped the fun factor too - not only are they learning essential skills, but they get to play and make a mess (with supervision), which is always a winner! And yes, the timer has been a huge help; it's amazing how something so simple can work so well. I think I need to get one of those visual countdown ones though, so the minutes ticking down are clearly visible - that would have helped with a few meltdowns in the past!

 

[doctormama]

The cooking classes sound like such a wonderful idea! And yes to the visual countdown timer - I feel that would help my little one understand the concept of time passing and, hopefully, avoid some tantrums too.

 

[sportytina]

The cooking classes sound like such a wonderful idea! And yes to the visual countdown timer - I feel that would help my little one understand the concept of time passing and, hopefully, avoid some tantrums too.

The visuals always get the win! There's just something about it that makes everything more fun and engaging. Does your little one enjoy cooking or any other messy, hands-on activities?

 

[cissy]

The visuals always get the win! There's just something about it that makes everything more fun and engaging. Does your little one enjoy cooking or any other messy, hands-on activities?

My child loved crafts and all things art when he was younger. He seemed to have inherited my love for drawing and painting, which thankfully could be done indoors most of the time. But these days, he's more into sports and outdoor activities now that he's a teenager.

 

[sunflower]

That's awesome! It's so cool to see how kids' interests evolve and develop as they grow up. It's also great you two shared a love for the arts - that must've been fun bonding time when he was little!