real life stories

It can be common to feel alone and isolated when you’re a single parent and it’s useful to read how others have overcome their issues. Over the coming months we will be building a library of real life stories revolving around the common themes of separation, divorce, bereavement and simply life as a single parent.

Everyone’s story can help someone else in that predicament and we’d love your contributions on this – don’t worry, we can preserve your anonymity if you prefer. If you’d like to share your story, please email us at chrissie@singlewithkids.co.uk or richard@singlewithkids.co.uk

Here are our story submissions so far:

category: breaking up
“Although I’d known my partner since childhood, it was always a bit of a rocky relationship. After decades of an on/off relationship my hormones kicked in and I think I feared being left on the shelf and we finally decided to make a “real go” of things. House and kids followed shortly afterwards and while we were involved in the “latest project” we were fine. Together alone, or on holiday, we didn't get on and I was desperately unhappy.

After much soul searching I took the decision enough was enough and ended the relationship and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever ever done. Despite knowing in my heart I’d done the correct thing, seeing my partner in pieces just tore me apart – at a time when I was in mourning myself. I still loved him but I knew we could never be happy together and were slowly strangling each other emotionally.

I’ve almost blotted out the first 6 months of our separation from my memory it was so painful. As I was the instigator in this I had little support from joint friends and the guilt, pain and loneliness were unbearable – many a time I just drove into the countryside to sit alone and cry my heart out.

Life eventually returned to normal and I’d even say it’s more enjoyable than previous, for once I feel in control and am quite enjoying being single. I’ve built up a new set of friends, found some new interests and we’ve got a whole new set of routines and traditions at home. It still makes me cry when I think of how low I felt in those first 6 months but both my ex and I now agree it was the right move.”
Amanda H.