I've been a single parent for many years although I do share some of the care with their dad. Luckily we've managed to stay civil for the sake of our daughters.

I've had two long-term relationships since we split up and they ended quite messily. My daughters are 13 and 16 and I am very wary to consider getting into a relationship at all until they've left home. They're going to be influenced by any choices that I make which, if not carefully thought through, could cause devastating effects on their future choices of men/boyfriends.
I look like I'm being a martyr here, I'm really not. I just realise that I've already made enough mistakes, and if I choose to make any more it might be best to make them when there aren't little people about.
Oh well, only a few more years to go!

edited by twistedvoilet

I've been a single parent for 9 yrs now. To start off with, my ex would see our son regularly but since his new wife got her claws into him she made it very difficult for him and my son to be together. She is the wicked step mother. Its unfortunate that my ex doesn't have a back bone either as he won't stand up to her.

My son who is now 13 has seen his dad twice since Christmas, the last time was last Friday. On the way home 'she' said to my son you've been a very good boy today. He's still seething about this comment as he's not a young 13, and he found it very patronising (his words not mine!). And they wonder why he doesn't want to be with them??

I also find it difficult with boyfriends who don't seem to understand that we can't go to bed 10 mins after my son has gone as he will still be awake!

Sometimes its just easier to be on your own.

I can see exactly where you're coming from Annemarie, I don't like bringing anyone back to the house either, but i'm lucky in that if i go clubbing my son will stay at my sisters or my mums and if i just go out for a drink then he's happy to stay at home. Its safe here to do that sort of thing, if we lived in England i wouldn't entertain the idea at all.

Good luck to you with your new fella, hope it all works out sweets.