Sole Parenting

The father of my children left me over 7 years ago. At the time my eldest was 4, my next one was 10 months, and I was 7 months pregnant. Their father said he would still help me but he never did. I moved to Syndey so we would be near my own father so the kids at least had their Granddad around. The kids father stopped contact. I had told him he could see the kids whenever he wanted but he chose not to contact them and not to pay any maintenance for a long time. The Child Support Agency did eventually catch up with him though. Anyway, I have had the kids on my own since he left, and I mean completely on my own. It wasn't easy, having a baby, a toddler, and a pre-schooler, but I coped. Simple things such as shopping were a real chore - the only way I could do it was to have toddler in the trolley, baby in pram with pre-schooler pushing the pram.

My children are now 12, 8, and 7. Raising them alone has been a challenge, but also very rewarding. I'm the one who has been to watch them grow and develop and I am proud of each of them. I've taught them good morals. They are respectful and well-mannered. I've had many compliments such as "your children are a credit to you" and that makes me feel prouder.

I'm not wiritng this to sound like any sort of hero. I just want other single parents to know that, while things are not always easy, you can and will get through it. Enjoy the good times, don't dwell on the bad, and take each day as it comes. Have fun with your kids and remember that, when they grow up, they will know that you are the one who has always been there for them and who has put in all the hard yards with them. And they will love and admire you for it.