Single mums to be!

Awwww April, when are you due?

I'm not a single mum to be, but was just over two years ago and am still retaining the 'single mum' part

Some ways it sucks, some ways it is brilliant. Feel free to whinge away... or if you have any questions about WINZ etc, we can do our darndest to try and navigate you through the sucky social development system.

awwwwwww hunny i,m a single mum aswell and my sons dad has nothing to do with my little boy there are legel thing you can do eg-child surport but i lrent this the hard way you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink big hugs we are here if you have any worries/ questions

Could you possibly move back to your home town with family before the baby is born?

Sorry to hear you're going through a rough time..

lol nikki ok
1-finding out hwo your real friends are when you need it the most
2-dpb yes its hard but thank god its there
3-mums and sisters who help when you need it the most
4-grandads james and hemi adore theres
5-the i dont no how you do it alne it makes you feel so strong
6-places like preggy help for colths and bedding for baby
7-midwifes who understand

Edited by james

I so admire my sister for the job she has done and is doing raising her son, even with the help she gets from us its still a hard slog and she also survives with bi-polar, another pat on the back for her. I find it lonely with a husband at times, so I am there for her whenever she needs and mum and I try to support where ever possible with out trying to take the power away from her.
I APPLAUD SOLO PARENTS!!

well i was also raised like Jennz - mum was a solo mum and absolutely no input from what i refer to as the sperm donor of two kids! and back then no child support either....he she kept on working after she had me (had short break) but refused to go on DPB equivalent back then...she was 21 and now lives in a million dollar house, has great job, earns mega, and has a good life...and has raised two kids...and is about to totally spoil her grandadughter in a few months...
Dont rely on DPB forever...go him child support...dont hold off cause there can be a wait...once bubs is born put him on Birth cert if need be to get child support but speak to a lawyer about implications of guardianship (sorry had to bring that up!) and take time to care for you and bubs for a while...
Make sure you have supports around...if not go where they are...i know my mum always had her mum ( a war widow from when mum was like 4 so another sole parent in many ways) and her grandma - also widowed (he died when mum found out she was pg with me)....and grandma was reliant on war widows benefit but still helped mum with chidlcare etc...ask for help - do not be afraid to...it will come from some unexpected sources.
YOu can do it....and you will be better for the experience later in life if you take it as a challenge and dont give in. Most importantly enjoy your baby...cant wait to hear your updates on bubs...we are only a month apart for EDDs

sorry to hear ur not having a good time april \

my daughter (now 4 and a half) and her dad split up when i was 7weeks pregnant he lives in australia now but is still involved as much as he can be , so im lucky in that regard, i was on the dpb for 2 years then got a job and got the working for families plan which works out quite well.

Youre stronger than you think tho chick

Kelly

I was a single mother at 18yrs. I now have a 10 year old and recently married (and ttc). The father of my daughter is still around, but it would be much easier if he wasn't. I was on the dpb for a while, during which time I studied (they help to fund it) and then got a full time job. Probably my biggest advise to you would be to do every parenting course that comes your way. I found them great to meet others, and learnt heaps of tips for raising my girl. I don't think you can ever learn enough about parenting, regardless of your situation. I still attend the Ian Grant seminars when they are in town and they are soooo good!
Every year on my daughters birthday, I would buy her a gift and also buy myself something to celebrate the milestones of me being a mum!!! You have to look after yourself also Its great to say to yourself every year 'I have been a mum for X years and I'm doing a great job! My kid is alive and healthy, well behaved and progressing
I also found it helpful to have my dad and brothers around as a male figure. It wasn't all the time as we lived in different cities, but I found they bring a different dinamic to their life.
Good luck!   You'll be great