/r/SingleParents

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A place for single parents to communicate and connect!

Articles, discussion and information for single parents. Single parents are defined as single, divorced, widowed, or remarried.

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/r/SingleParents

1,126,724 Subscribers

224

Chronic Single Mom Burnout

I do not know of any solution, the below points are killing me on a daily basis year after year. I can barely eat or function. Self Help tips are useless. It takes a village but I'm doing the work of the village SOLO.

  • Single mom of 2 kids
  • Full time corporate IT Management Career
  • Caretaker for my 2 parents
  • Management of 2 houses, mine and my parents
  • Mental Health issues with all of us
  • No Child Support
  • Single Income household (my income)
  • No time for me, I am trapped
181 Comments
2024/09/14
00:04 UTC

77

he’s a glorified babysitter

I have a 7 yo daughter with my ex (33m). He wanted to be a dad so bad but now he just doesn’t do anything. He is at best a babysitter. I can barely call him that because my daughter cries that he is always sleeping. Getting money out of him is like pulling teeth. He doesn’t participate in any of her interests, her school, or her doctor appointments. She has been in cheer for three years now and he has taken her to one full practice, one half practice (dropped off while I picked up), and half of a game. Zero competitions. A lot of these are on his days but I give up my life so I can take her. I am exhausted of trying to tell him to be an active participant in her life.

67 Comments
2024/09/14
03:34 UTC

17

How do you respond to raging outbursts?

Today my 9 yo didn't want to go to school (he's not sick, and doing well socially at school) and I said he had to. He screamed and cursed at me. I believe in consequences for cursing at me but I know giving consequences in the moment just worsens things.

If there were another parent I could step back until I am able to calm myself. As it was I got angry also. I apologized and said we'd talk more about it later.

Curious how others deal with these types of outbursts, that involve cursing at you?

51 Comments
2024/09/13
18:14 UTC

5

Ama

I wanna a mature relationship

13 Comments
2024/09/13
12:05 UTC

90

Needing advice

So I’m a single mom of two beautiful kids. Lately, I have been so depressed. I feel like I can barely get out of bed because I have no help these days. I started back college but now I can’t work full time and with everything so expensive I’m stressed about money and feeling like a failure. I have been wanting to date and get back out there but my mind keeps telling me I’m not worthy or ready because I come with “baggage”. When did yall start dating again after a toxic relationship? Does it get easier? I feel like I’ll never get married or find someone for my kids and I.

127 Comments
2024/09/13
07:38 UTC

70

22 single new mom

So me and my daughters dad have officially been done since june, before she was born. He cheated on while pregnant and now he basically is with some other girl. He says he wants to be in our daughters life but he doesn’t even buy her anything and has hardly spent time with her. She is only 1 month. We want to co parent but the way he goes and does things is just not coparenting at all. Saying he’ll be home by a certain time but actually coming 5 hours or not coming at all. This is more of a rant tbh because i’m fed up with it. What needs to be done here?

107 Comments
2024/09/13
05:19 UTC

79

Unexpected benefits of headlice

I’m a single parent and live far from family. Kid brought home lice for the first time. We both got it. On top of the mental exhaustion from the cleaning, hours of picking out nits from my daughter’s head, I had to admit I needed help as I could not see my own head fully. I had to humbly ask friends to please help. And THEY DID! One of three pals diligently showed up every evening to drink tea and shoot the shit while playing mama chimpanzee and combing my hair. The experience was such a reminder that I am cared for and supported. And it’s more than OK to ask for help.

8 Comments
2024/09/13
04:20 UTC

15

How do you deal with decision paralysis as the only adult in the household??

I have been a single parent since my daughter was born. I was completely in love with her dad, but the pregnancy was unplanned and it was clear he wasn’t on board to be a parent. I moved 2 states away after he broke up with me at 8mo pregnant to live with my dad and stepmom. I wouldn’t have been able to afford rent on my own and I was afraid of living by myself with a newborn and no support system. Big move. Easy decision. For two years her dad made very feeble attempts at being involved but was mostly out of the picture. He put a lot of his effort in trying to convince me to move back and marry him, which I had no interest to do after the choices he made. Although this did make me optimistic that moving back to the city where we met would give him the chance to be more involved, which was a high priority to me. My sister also lives in this city and we are very close to that was a huge motivator as well. Well I set my sites on this goal and started job searching for opportunities in the area. I got a huge job offer, which ultimately opened the door for my career to takeoff. I moved four months after accepting the job offer (tech corporate field). Well by the time I move back to the city her dad had moved in with another woman and her child three hours away from the city and immediately started pressuring me for 50-50 split refusing to go to mediator for a parenting plan. Well eventually I filed for a parenting plan with the court and ended up with 70/30 arrangement. It has been almost three years since we moved and the relationship with her dad has only gotten worse. He violates the parenting plan constantly, including corporal forms of punishment, blocking my number so I have no access to her for his weeklong visits, not informing me of Dr. visits or urgent care visits etc. Meanwhile I have experienced a lot of positive growth in my personal life. I am making over six figures, my relationship with my daughter is my absolute favorite thing in my life. We get to go on lots of adventures together, always making memories that I cherish with my whole heart, and I feel so lucky to be her mom she is the sweetest most caring gentle girl I have ever met. I have a side hustle that is involved in a cause that I am passionate about. I am very proud of my accomplishments and overall see so much progress. But I am desperate for connection. I only have my sister for involved family up here and while I do have friends and I frequent my gym which is a great community… I miss my large Family community and having my parents around when I lived two states away. I am definitely planning on filing a motion for contempt regarding the parenting plan violations and will be updating the plan to enforce things I thought would be common decency (urgent care visits). But I’m starting to think I might want to prepare to file for relocation. I have built my adult life in the city and I’m very attached to the routine I have created here. my daughter is about to go to kindergarten and every big decision I have made before it seems so obvious and like the only option I had. But now I am in a different place in life and this decision will have a huge impact on every part of mine and my daughters life. I have no idea how to make the decision and it keeps me up at night going over all the pros and cons … These are the times when I feel single parenting is the most challenging for me because I don’t have another adult who would be experiencing the outcome of this decision with to discuss this with. Curious if other single parents experience decision paralysis and any tips on overcoming this?

8 Comments
2024/09/13
02:40 UTC

53

How did you deal with finding out your ex started dating?

Our relationship is complicated. There are lots of unresolved emotions, resentment, and trust issues, but finding out that he started dating is like a punch in the gut. We were "separated" but still in this limbo with unclear boundaries, and I guess I always thought we'd end up back together. How do you deal with sharing a child together but not wanting them in your life at all bc it's too painful to deal with at the moment?

119 Comments
2024/09/13
02:35 UTC

14

My 8 year old with separation anxiety

Hey all. So my son is 8 and he has terrible separation anxiety. He has always been a mama's boy but lately I cannot go anywhere without him, even for a short time without him completely melting down.

I usually share him with my ex husband and we have 50/50 custody. My son had a little bit of a hard time when we separated when he was 3, but we seemed to get him on a routine and after him getting used to it he didn't mind going back and forth.

Well, my ex was in a relationship with a women for a couple of years. We really liked her. She is very kind, sweet, nurturing, had no children of her own and she's got an amazing career and has a clear head on her shoulders.

Last summer they loved in with her. My ex went from a small apartment to a very nice house with lots of space. They were very family oriented and everything seemed to be going great. They lived there for a year. There were actually occasions when I felt a little jealous because sometimes it seemed my son didn't want to come home with me when it was my turn.

A little background, I live with my boyfriend and our son we share. We are very family oriented as well however I felt like it was harder for my son to be open to another man in his life vs a new woman in his father's life. My guess was because my exes gf was so sweet and nice.

Anyway, out of the blue they broke up in the very beginning of summer and my son had a very difficult time. They moved out immediately and my son has not seen her nor had much contact with her. Because my ex stayed with his parents until he found a place, my son didn't want to stay overnight there and he stayed with me.

Fast forward to now and my son hasn't stayed overnight with my ex since early summer and it's gotten to the point my son does not want to stay with my ex. He barely wants to talk to him. My ex is really hurt over this and my son started therapy but I also cannot go anywhere without my son with out him melting down. We have tried to have my ex get himnfrom school and my ex will call me and my son is hysterical in the background telling his dad he hates him.

I don't know what to do. I know my son needs boundaries but he throws a fit even if I try to run to the store for 20 minutes. He wasn't like this a few months ago so I know this is a new thing. He's always had a really good relationship with his dad and although we have our differences his dad is a really good, involved dad.

I went to two concerts over the summer and getting away was a nightmare. He cried off and on all night long and my mom was watching him.

Any advice?

7 Comments
2024/09/13
01:12 UTC

5

Is this normal? Or should I sue

I’m a 29f who has a 10yr old son, his father and I dated when I was a teen and we split right at time of conception. We were both kids basically and had a bitter start, eventually things went thru the court system when my son was around 2/3, after a few years the final of the court was he was awarded split custody myself as custodial parent originally it was like 3 days a week day and every other weekend. Child support was set up and i was to receive that plus half of every extra circular activity/ child care the child was to be in. With stipulations that I was to talk to him first and make sure it was within budget.

Well he never used his days and always was a spotty Friday dad. His mom helped pick up slack and she has for the last 8-9 yrs been the one who picks up my son shuttles him to her house where the dad is and then brings him back. My son has had maybe 5 sleepovers total throughout his life at his dad’s.

Ive always pushed heavy for his dad to be present for him vs pushing heavy on finance because as young parents we’d fight like dogs and I’d never end up seeing any additional money.

Thankfully I was able to get into a great line of work and stopped ever even needing to ask him for assistance (since I’d never receive it anyways)

For full transparency I get $70 a week or maybe even every other week, I just know it totals a little over 3k on a yearly basis.

I pay for my son’s life in full. From all of his clothes, food, necessities, healthy insurance dental insurance we don’t get state assistance as I make too much per them, I got us a house almost 3 yrs ago when I was 26. (Something I still can’t even believe I feel so blessed) my son is in sports going 3 yrs now on football, I just registered him for swim team ($620) I’ve paid for all his childcare since he was in childcare, I’ve gotten maybe $200 of assistance towards sports since he started fb.

Now currently I’m about to get married and I went to a lawyer to put my home in an estate and to tie up some paperwork and make a will.

Lawyer let me know I couldn’t name my sister as guardian if I should pass unless my kids dad didn’t want to take on the job, after I informed him that I have my son 99% of the time and am basically fully responsible for him he asked why I don’t take him back to court…..

I felt silly. Honestly I’m overworked overwhelmed and it seems like a nuisance. During Covid financially I was strapped hard and tried to ask my kids dad for more assistance and it resulted in a huge fight and he told me if we went back to court he’d end up paying me less???? I refilled determation papers to see if they’d modify the child support and nothing so I figured maybe in this wild world he’s right. And let it go.

Is this normal? I’m in IL if that helps- does anyone think I should be entitled to more money ? Or will it be a waste in lawyer fees

I joked years back when I was painfully bitter that I was going to sue him for back child support in a decades time and I’ve kept every text messages between us ever to support that and I’m actually coming close to a decade as my son will be 11 in feb

20 Comments
2024/09/12
22:58 UTC

25

Fist to cuffs.

Hey there. Just trying to vent. My son just moved in with me in July. He’s 13 and it was mutual agreement on all three parties. People asked me for years why I don’t go to court and start a battle. Because just that I didn’t wanna start a battle. I let it be his choice. And I gave his mother reassurance through the whole process. Him and his mom are very close and he didn’t wanna leave her six hours away. Like he said, she has her boyfriend and he needs to do what’s best for him.

That’s my son, the most thoughtful, empathic, and truly genuine person I’ve ever met. He also has ADHD and ODD. which can sometimes clash with my ASD and ADHD with some nice sparkly PTSD on top. So obviously we’re gonna have struggle sometimes. I allow less attitude than his mother does, but she was with him all the time so they had a system and he and I have a system. Now he’s here and he is adjusted to my system way faster and, generally better than I thought he would.

Someone asked me one time about my memories as a child. That’s when I realized I don’t have many. And I promised myself my son would have more memories than he could ever fathom. So we’re always up to something. We stay busy, cutting trees down, mowing yards, working on our ATVs, obviously riding them, pellet guns (i’m talking whole ass units not your niece’s 10 Pump), and most importantly, keeping a tight net family, which is mostly just my best buds and their respective nuclear families. We take the group of brothers thing pretty seriously.. holidays and everything.

Anyways, I got off track moral of the story. My son had a meltdown today and spit on my back and then squared off with me. I didn’t want him to wear a hoodie for picture day. The things coming out of his mouth along with the spit and the squaring off… mind you my son is 5’7 and 250 pounds and I’m 57 and 190. And I’m one of those particular individuals that .. how do you say you used to scrap a lot without sounding like a douche?

Quick reminders of techniques to stifle that dynamite.. I worked hard for years to not lose my temper. Not be him. I’m telling myself to walk away but I’m not listening.

— came home and we had a good talk. We both apologized and held each other accountable. He actually asked for help with his homework. We’re about to make dinner. Alls good on the frontline. — also have appointment for next Tuesday with doctor about meds.

I’m trying.

22 Comments
2024/09/12
22:22 UTC

8

Help or advice please

Good day

Can i get help How to explain or guide kids that their mother is abusive and a lying narcissist.

Separated fron ex narc since 2022 Raising 5 kids solo Children still in contact with mother... No thanks to my mother for encouraging then to contact their narc mom 20years married and caught ex narc 6 or 7 times cheating on me (Stayed together for the kids)

But last 2022 was the last straw and was finally able to break free from ex narc wife.

I suffered from depression Anxiety Narc abuse And borderline suicidal then lost my job because of this failed marriage Still jobless until now.

How can i guide my kids so they wont break their hearts trusting their mom

20 Comments
2024/09/12
21:11 UTC

8

Annoyed and just.. anxious

Okay.

So, I've been a single mom for my daughter's life. ( she's 3, and the light of my whole life)

Her father pays child support and pays for half of her daycare.. but that's it. He sees her every other weekend. Moved closer to us to "See her more" but hasn't made any effort to ACTUALLY see her. He doesn't text to see how she is, doesn't video call her, NOTHING.

He has only ever come to two of her appointments. She has autism, so she goes to speech therapy and OT and a few other little things here and there. He hasn't been to a single one DESPITE the fact I remind him of all of these things and let him know when they are.. but he doesn't show up.

Not to mention, he forgot her birthday this year. Didn't call her, NOTHING.

Size the most recent problem. He had surgery, and hasn't been able to make daycare or child support payments.

Now, I'm totally understand that. Waiting for unemployment is a huge pain in the ass. However, today when I called to ask him how it was going, he said Unemployment only gave him 20 dollars and nothing else.

I have never seen EI only give someone 20 dollars after waiting a whole month.

He wasn't even going to tell me. Was just gonna let his side of daycare payments be late.

Our daughter could get asked to leave if daycare payment continue to be late. So I have been taking on paying for all of it.

I'm just ... Not sure what to do from here.

9 Comments
2024/09/12
20:52 UTC

4

Advice please

Does anyone know how crowdfunding works?? I’m in a position where I don’t know what to do anymore and giving up isn’t a option for me!! In the last 6 months I have lost my job, my car, and a place to live. I don’t know how things spiraled so fast and I have nobody to turn to for help, worst of all I have a 5 year old son who splits time with me and his mother, and his mother only cares about herself and doesn’t deserve him! I need to rescue my son from a bad situation, without getting into too much my son tells me of all sorts of nightmares that goes on at Mommy’s and I have tried going to children services and they brushed me off calling my claims here say, even after anonymous complaints from his daycare of what he’s experiencing at mommy’s. It’s heartbreaking as a father who just wants to fight for him but I don’t even have anywhere to take him. I was rasing him myself for 4 years and lost custody of him a yr ago, I made a bad choice and have suffered and paid the consequences of my actions since and will never risk putting him in harms way (his mother) ever again!! I have been too proud to ask for financial help cause honestly it makes my skin crawl, but I need help getting him back and have really thought of creating a gofundme or something to ask for help but ultimately can’t go forward with it because I don’t want to come across with my hand out, and I always get myself out of my own problems but this time I need help

5 Comments
2024/09/12
16:45 UTC

13

AITA for not donating baby stuff to a married couple when it was intended for a single parent family?

I am getting rid of a lot of my kids' baby stuff to make room for new furniture. I belong to my community's local Single Parents' Association so I put together a set of infant things including changing table, diaper pail, changing pad, and some accessories and loose infant diapers.

A mother contacted me asking to take the stuff so I set up a time for her to come get it. Her husband showed up asking for only the diapers. It's really the furniture I want to get rid of to make room for other furniture and I really wanted it to go to another single mom, but sure if they're in need I'll give all the items to them. I told them, however, they need to come back for all the items at once, as I want to get rid of everything at once instead of having lots of different people come for minor items. It's just really hard to set up times for a lot of different people coming to take a little something here, something else there.

I told them if they can come back with a car (he'd come on the bus so couldn't take any large items) to take everything at once, that's fine but I didn't let them take just a few things. I kind of didn't believe they would actually come back for the furniture if I gave away the accessories. Plus like I said, I would rather it all to go to a single parent in our group who was in need of infant stuff (their kids are older, 3 and 5, so I don't know if they were planning to keep the stuff, try to sell it, or what; that was also confusing).

There are other parents in the group that showed an interest; this was just the first person "in line" who contacted me. So should I have just given it to her or is it justified that I save it to give to another single parent?

4 Comments
2024/09/12
16:25 UTC

8

The right choice is such a hard one

So my daughters (6) dad has been moved out for 8 months. In that 8 months my oldest boy (8) has become turned into a loud rude intimidating little monster without a male figure to keep him in check. He makes it unbearable to go out in public and do the fun kinds of activities my daughter likes. I have had to watch her cry her eyes out because she misses her dad so much and his gf won't let him come here to visit with her by himself but she never wants to come. They live with his parents and daughter really loves going there to visit. When my boys go they enjoy it but want to get back to me after night one. With her, she hates going home, I can see the dread and sadness in her eyes. I can't say I blame her. I'm in over my head with taking care of 3 full time. The environment is chaotic and stressful and I am always depressed or anxious or just pissed off at the 8 year old for ruining everyone else's day. He clearly needs more one on one attention than I can give him right now. So I am going to let my sweet daughter, my only girl go live 30 minutes away with her dad and grandparents (and the bitch). I think she will he much happier and it will give me the time and space I need to improve things with myself and other two kids. It I'd definitely whats best but god damn it fucking hurts I instantly start bawling when I resign to it.

12 Comments
2024/09/12
15:38 UTC

10

Healing???

Learning how to cope and deal with all this trauma that’s been stock piling up in me since I could remember. I always just tried to put my head down and keep it pushing, not knowing that I would have to deal with it all some day, especially as a man, we’re taught at a very young age to stop crying or we’ll be given something to cry about!!! I grew up in a old school Irish catholic family and where dealing with whatever was bothering you usually consists of the music up loud and putting a few back if you know what I mean, I was taught to deal with it internally and not talk about it.

Now that I’m older I realize what damage that created! How looking back I wish that I had someone that told me to talk about it… There was no communication growing up outside of “I’m Good”, and most times the conversation was only brought up by talking about the Eagles (Go Birds) or the Phil’s, that was the way of starting conversation. Now I grew up knowing what love is and what it looks like but never talked about…

I’m pretty much 40 and just learning to get the shit out instead of in, I still don’t know how to sit down with my parents and say what’s really going on and I wish I could!! Times running out for that to happen but I’m trying to keep that line of communication open with my son so he can always come to me no matter what like I wish I had, and I see a therapist once a week and find 12 step meetings to be very helpful but I still hold back and keep everyone at a distance cause I have learned the hard way what kind of monsters are out there, but I always hold back and I don’t want to anymore!!

9 Comments
2024/09/12
15:29 UTC

21

Feeling confused 😩

I keep getting myself into these mindsets where I crave partnership, where I want to work towards my end goals of having more children, a house and a husband. But then I end up getting into situations where the guys want to move a MILLION miles an hour with me and it terrifies me so so so much. My daughter is only 2 and I am 25, I’ve been officially single since I was pregnant.

I dated a guy for a while at the start of the year who I later found out had lied about his age (told me he was 29 he’s 37) his name, where he’s from etc, due to the fact that he’s a convicted peadophile convicted of having child p*rn and b3astialty on his computer.. finding this out completely knocked me for 6, as I was already scared of even considering welcoming someone into mine and my daughters world because all I want to do is protect her and I, but now I’m not sure if I ever want to or will mentally be able to.

I’ve been on TWO dates with the guy I’m dating rn, been speaking for a little over a week and again he’s speaking about our future together, meeting my daughter buying her gifts, showing me a bigger family car he wants to get.. and to say it’s put the fear of god into me, is an understatement. I feel so silly that I’m upset over this because like I said, I want something then I end up getting into a position where I’m working towards it then I feel I’m getting love bombed and it scares me.

Does anyone else find themselves in positions like this where they’re scared to be with someone?

EDIT: I’m glad I posted this. Just wanted to say thank you all for your kind supportive comments :)

83 Comments
2024/09/12
13:58 UTC

24

How do you regain trust and self love again?

I was with my ex for 9 years. Married for 2 of them. We have 2 kids. I found out almost a year ago now, when i was 3 months post-partum with our 2nd - that he had been cheating with numerous people for the entirety of our relationship. I knew about one at the very beginning but he swore black and blue that it was only once and it was a mistake yada yada. I fell for it cause I was young and he had been my first everything. I had always had gut feelings that he was cheating, but i put it to my OCD and anxiety getting to me. Over the years he would come to me saying im so sorry I did that and do I have your trust, its my greatest regret blah blah blah. I guess what im getting at is how can you learn to trust someone again after going through that? I am alot alot heavier and saggy then when i was last single as ive had two kids and have delt with severe depression the last couple years. How do i learn to love myself when I dont think anyone could ever.

41 Comments
2024/09/12
11:16 UTC

0

I hope not

Please tell me you don't have these weird mofos around our son.these men dress like women and are into men so please watch our lil Bear.

1 Comment
2024/09/12
06:54 UTC

3

Bitches sick of everyone

What up everyone who feels this statement I love you

8 Comments
2024/09/12
03:42 UTC

5

I need advice. Me (29f) and ex fiancé (35m) are separating two kids under 4.

Am trying to make a list of things to check before we both move out on how we will manage the separation. I have always been the one to figure out the « how’s » in the relationship but this time, am really at lost. I need advice on things to take into consideration. Thank you

5 Comments
2024/09/12
03:39 UTC

0

Relationships problems solving

Do you have a partner who you wounded things about ? Have questions? Just not sure about things? Text me with ur question and we will get answers from everyone.

5 Comments
2024/09/12
03:05 UTC

14

Too fast or just scared?

I am a 33 year old female that just got out of a very toxic 16 year relationship. I have a child (11) to this person and she is the love of my life. It's been about 5 or 6 months since we split, we were never married but had a full life together. Things are still messy on my end working things out financially. I met a guy about a month ago- Jason and he seems to be everything that I've wanted in a realationship. Kind, caring, emotionally available, respectful so on and so forth. Im a better person when I'm with him and I'm liking the fact I can see an actual future with this man. My daughter does not and has not ever had a good father figure, their realationship has always been strained. She craves having a good father figure in her life. I have not let her meet this man as I am still honeslty a bit scared to jump into another realationship. I wasn't looking for him whenni met him and things just seemed to have clicked easily. He wants to meet her and is wanting to start integrating our family's. I want to so this but I honeslty feel as though I am cheating on my ex. We ended on ok terms, he has not moved on yet and is in a bad place. I don't know if I am just being gun shy with this whole situation or what but I think I would like to give this realationship a true chance. When would you feel comfortable making this official and when would be a good time to introduce kids into the mix? We talk everyday multiple times and get to see each other 1 to 2 times a week right now. It's hard to juggle kids and everything else! Thanks for the advice and let me know if I need to clarify anything!

56 Comments
2024/09/12
02:44 UTC

13

What are my chances of me getting full custody of my children?

Me and my stbx-wife have been married for 4 years. We have 2 kids (3 and 1).

I filed for divorce and 50/50 child custody, but after speaking with my lawyer today, I'm gonna ask for full custody for the following reasons:

  • My stbx-wife is very irresponsible and Neglectful, she would go to sleep and leave our toddlers running around unsupervised. She would stay up all night watching her shows on netflix/hulu or talking on the phone with her bestfriend, which makes it impossible for her to wake up in the morning. Also, she would not keep our house clean, to the point that we'd have blue/green mold in food and dishes. Her own mom called CPS on her because she was very worried about her grandchildren.
  • She lacks insight and makes poor decisions: before I ever knew she started the divorce process, she went on dates with 2 men and took our children. She also shared photos and videos of our children to random men on dating apps, exposing our children to pedophiles and child pornography. In addition, 7 years ago, while she was still living at her parents' house, she trashed her room, her parents told her to clean (and gave her plenty of time). They got into an argument, and that's when she decided to live in her car.
  • She's unstable: she's lived (with our children) in 6 different places in the last 5 months, since our divorce started. Last week, she got into a fight with her mom, so she decided to go (with our kids) stay a motel with a bad reputation (junkies, prostitutes, criminals...). She was talking on the phone with me and someone literally tried to break in to her room.
  • Self-harm and mental illnesses: she had an attempted suicide before I met her. During our marriage, she threatened to kill herself, which required a hospital visit. She would also slit her wrists.
  • Medical neglect: she has a chronic illness, but as long as she takes her medicine, she can live a normal life. The issue is that she stops taking her medicine, keeps missing doctor's appointments (for her and our kids), doesn't follow up with her doctors. Matter of fact, one of therapists had to literally drop her because she's missed so many sessions.

Her mom and sister think I should get full custody of my kids.

42 Comments
2024/09/11
22:25 UTC

11

Not enough money or food

Hi all, I am a single mother and I work two jobs, I don't have a life so I have no need to spend extra money, but my car just got shot up due to a drive by and this is the second year this has happened. My light bill just went up $200 more dollars out the blue while on a flat bill, I reached out to Government assistance for help and they have no funds, I have been to local churches and their food is always old or molded 😔. I need some advice, some help, and it thats not enough, I have high debt from trying to feed my kids in prior years and another bill has just shot up while child support made an error with this months payment. Why am I being attacked it seems..😔?

74 Comments
2024/09/11
21:24 UTC

9

How to talk to your child about an absent/inconsistent parent?

My daughter is almost 5 and has been noticing her dad is not around. We split about two years ago and would see her dad on Saturdays. Then he stopped calling in January of this year. He asked to see her a few times in the last month or so but never follows through. What do I say to her when she asks where he is?

30 Comments
2024/09/11
18:37 UTC

6

Military?

Anyone join the military as a single parent? I'm a single Mom and my family has offered to watch him for training etc. Wondering if anyone was in a similar position I have some questions.

13 Comments
2024/09/11
17:35 UTC

9

Father of children hasn't checked on kids for months.

The father of my kids. Someone I have lived with for the past 6+ years left start of July. Hasn't called our young daughters once, or helped in any way. He's messaged me a couple times about how awful he's doing. Saying how much he loves them...wants to see them soon, but nothing else. Acting very irresponsible, and I think drinking a lot. Since covid losing a house, and losing business he's been drinking a lot more.

So I guess my question is when do I get a lawyer involved...should I go for full custody if so when? He's had his flare ups of bad choices throughout the years, but not to this extent.

Any advice on the right thing to do? I've always tried to work with him, but I feel that has just enabled him so obviously I need to be the most responsible here.

I have my own home, and I've let him stay here with me while he works, and helps provide, but he hasn't. So I've been doing mostly everything on my own for a long time now anyways...

He's neglected me for years, but I won't stand for him doing it to our 3 beautiful babies..

One tired mama.

18 Comments
2024/09/11
16:02 UTC

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