Making/finding your own support system(people going through similar situations). Doing things with your child(ren). Making sure to do things for yourself. Giving yourself grace and love. Getting out and about. Surrounding yourself with people like parks, libraries, etc. I found things like that help. I've also been a single mother since my children were born, actually before then, so I get it. And I'm here if you ever want to talk to someone who gets it.
I've been the same since my daughter was born. I try to find even the shortest time to try to take care of myself. A shower the length of a couple of my favorite songs. Or just after bedtime, just sitting outside and watching the stars for a few. Everyone is different. I truly hope you find what works for you.
It’s difficult get as much support from your family as possible . I would say just try and keep busy and make plans in the future. which focus on your daughter to look forward to such as trip to Disneyland . Also listen to podcast in spare time such as happy mum happy baby . Try and make new mum friends who have similar circumstances. You’ve just got to be pro active about creating your happiness.
I found that hanging out with other single moms and arranging play dates / play group every day is really important for me. I also used the down time (if you have any) to read up on abusive relationships and setting boundaries so I hopefully won’t be in a similar situation down the track again. If the loneliness gets too much and you start to get signs of depression ( not sleeping, not eating, not able to do much) then I’d recommend seeking help from gp for that asap. And remember you are doing amazing and being lonely in a relationship can be much worse so it’s great that you got out of it
Following as feeling low today. We didn't get out today and now have the long evening ahead with rubbish on tv. Also finding it hard to look forward to the future knowing it will be hard. Need to snap out of it!
@Jay i love this! Thank you so much. It’s so easy to get yourself into a rut
@Kate sounds like we experienced similar situations, I did something we have here called freedom project on abusive relationships! I had a really negative experience with the gp when asking for help as im breastfeeding and they immediately said medication wasn’t an option they were comfortable with. I do think im in a slightly better headspace since then
A side note, I had some big expectations of how I was going to parent before the divorce and becoming a single mum; such as no tv before one (or as long as possible after that) and making all his food myself. Im so adamant in not letting it become an excuse but im finding it hard to get a balance right of giving myself some grace with surviving the days without burnout.
I can recommend miss katie . The English version of miss Rachel . When I do screen time . I play this makes me feel less guilty as it’s all developmental stuff . If you ever want to talk on what’s app let me know
Keep urself busy and prioritise your needs x
This will get easier. My daughter is 2 now and it’s an endless cycle of nursery events, birthday parties and lots of other parents to catch up with, I really struggled with feeling alone while she was very little. Also I wouldn’t worry too much about the screens and things. No matter what you do someone will tell you it’s wrong. Just pour all your love into that child and it will all come good! 😊 x
I also struggle with it especially at weekends. I’m hoping as baby gets a bit older it gets easier when can take her to things ♥️