Single Parent Support Thread

[luvmythree]

Single mom here too..can I join with the small # of posts I have and the fact that I have no trips to Disney planned???

I have a 17 yr old dd, 15 yr old ds and 11 year old ds. My ex walked out on us after admitting to MANY affairs while we were married. We were officially divorced a year ago though it took 3 years to get there thanks to his inept attorney.

I was working in education but am now pursuing a career in the medical field. We are hoping to get to DL next year but I have no vacation or $$$ to go right now.

It's nice to know I'm not alone and this thread gave me hope of finding others like me. I live in a neighborhood where I'm the only one divorced and am tired of feeling like we have the plague.

 

[jennyf2]

Good Morning!

Just checking in We leave in 13 days & I am SOOO excited! Anyone else going to be there???

 

[graygables]

Hello everyone, single dad here to 2 great boys 17 and 7. Super excited about our upcoming trip in Sept(11-19) at Bay Lake Towers.
I have been a single dad for the last 5 yrs. It has been a great learning experience for me.

Love the photo of your princes being so regal with Belle! They even look like they might be enjoying it a bit...

I used to live in BA, all my family is in Tulsa, so welcome, fellow Okies! We were just talking about how much we miss QT and Braums at my house. In fact, I have said if I didn't work for WDW, I'd work for QT.

 

[adsrtw]

Welcome everybody! Taking a break from my run. Not as fast as I wanted but it is workable. Proper post later. Have a great morning!

 

[Debrn]

[You should be proud being a single dad. I never thought my ex. would be such a jerk as far as the kids go lets just say he has not been the father I hoped he would be or thought he was.

We stayed at BLT last Christmas and loved it. My kids favorite place as of yet. Have a great time.


QUOTE=entropy63;37715821]Hello everyone, single dad here to 2 great boys 17 and 7. Super excited about our upcoming trip in Sept(11-19) at Bay Lake Towers.
I have been a single dad for the last 5 yrs. It has been a great learning experience for me.[/QUOTE]

 

[Debrn]

I know isn't it funny we separate, divorce, work, but we are still mothers and spend more time doing it have to get babysitters to do anything work or fun. The men somehow at least mine lose the being a father, lives the single life and is around when it is convenient for him.

Hi! I am a single mom to dd8. She is the light of my life and I am so happy to have her. Her father just recently started getting her every other weekend and it looks like we will be doing every other week for the summer. He doesn't help support her financially and lives with his new girlfriend and her children a few towns over.

I am glad I found this thread. Wish I would have seen it sooner - I just started a thread looking for advice because my ex can only think of himself. If anyone has any pointers, let me know.

 

[adsrtw]

I know isn't it funny we separate, divorce, work, but we are still mothers and spend more time doing it have to get babysitters to do anything work or fun. The men somehow at least mine lose the being a father, lives the single life and is around when it is convenient for him.

I completely understand this. Mine has come around a bit - finally. He's no angel, but getting better.

 

[Kat&Dom]

The men somehow at least mine lose the being a father, lives the single life and is around when it is convenient for him.

And one day, he will be a very lonely soul because of his choices. He is missing out on everything in his children's lives and will not really know them when they grow up. He is missing out on all the hugs and kisses - the every day moments that build a lifetime of memories.

My son is 4 (turning 5 next month) - my ex does not understand or know his son very well because seeing your child once every 3 weeks or so for a couple of hours does not build deep bonds. He doesn't know what his son likes to do or what his favorite things are to eat. He contributes very little financially ($150 last year and $100 this year so far) - he owes over $10,000 in back child support.

The other sad thing is that my ex did not just hurt me and my son with his bad choices but he has hurt his family. His parents live in another country so have not seen my son since he was 9 months old - they know very little about their grandson because their son knows so little about my son. I have sent pictures to them but it is not the same. I know that they love my son but I told my ex that unless he pays child support, I will not take my son to visit his family (the trip would cost about $2,000 and we can do 2 trips to Disney with that).

 

[Kat&Dom]

I am going to do the Mickey and Pals Birthday Celebration for him.
When I made our ADR's I let them know we were celebrating his birthday.

That will be so much fun - what a great way to celebrate his birthday. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Princesssbz]

I asked this in general and got some good ideas...I have a 3 year old we are going for her birthday next week...I've been a single mom her whole life but usually I get family to come with me...I'm excited to take her...we love Disney...and now she's really showing more interest and excitement...Any tips would be awesome!

 

[adsrtw]

I asked this in general and got some good ideas...I have a 3 year old we are going for her birthday next week...I've been a single mom her whole life but usually I get family to come with me...I'm excited to take her...we love Disney...and now she's really showing more interest and excitement...Any tips would be awesome!

I haven't experience traveling to Disney by myself with the kids yet. That will be in September, but I do have experience with other trips. This is completely my untested opinion. My biggest suggestion would be to get there early (when it's cooler) and take plenty of breaks. I would absolutely go to Fantasyland first. Ride a few rides and then take in a show. How is she about characters? Take your time and enjoy yourself!

 

[DbleTheFun]

Hi All! Newly single mom here! I have identical twin boys who are 3, and we become single (or should I say triple) a few months ago when their Dad walked out on us. We are still going to WDW this December for our trip that we've done every year since the boys were born... but I am bringing my Aunt to help out. I also just booked a DCL cruise next Spring and will be doing that one 100% solo (with the kids of course) with a couple days at DL before hand.

It's weird to think of myself as a single parent, but I am determined not to let my children suffer from their Dad's choices. He sees them 2 nights a week (Just for dinner, and then brings them home), and also on Saturdays (from morning until bedtime), so he is very involved.... just not financially. Luckily I make a great living and was the primary income when we were together, so between my income, and the child support my lawyer will fight for, I should be ok.

Just looking forward to not being treated the way I had been for so many years, and to model a happy and healthy Mommy for my kids!

 

[adsrtw]

Hi All! Newly single mom here! I have identical twin boys who are 3, and we become single (or should I say triple) a few months ago when their Dad walked out on us. We are still going to WDW this December for our trip that we've done every year since the boys were born... but I am bringing my Aunt to help out. I also just booked a DCL cruise next Spring and will be doing that one 100% solo (with the kids of course) with a couple days at DL before hand.

It's weird to think of myself as a single parent, but I am determined not to let my children suffer from their Dad's choices. He sees them 2 nights a week (Just for dinner, and then brings them home), and also on Saturdays (from morning until bedtime), so he is very involved.... just not financially. Luckily I make a great living and was the primary income when we were together, so between my income, and the child support my lawyer will fight for, I should be ok.

Just looking forward to not being treated the way I had been for so many years, and to model a happy and healthy Mommy for my kids!

Welcome Kim! I will never forget when I had that Aha! moment. The moment I realized that I deserved to be happy. Been there, done that, won't go back to it. DCL with DL sounds like so much fun!

 

[adsrtw]

Happy weekend! I'm at work for another 1/2 hour then it's off to my son's first football game of the season. It's miserably hot here - 87 with a heat index of 97. We are supposed to reach 100. Sigh! Crossing my fingers for a thunderstorm in the next hour or so.

I hope everybody is having a great weekend.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Hi, Single Parents! I am the single mom of two kids – DS, 11 and DD, 7. I separated from my ex-husband when DD was only 1 and we divorced a year later. I have full custody of them and he can visit them all he wants – he just doesn’t see them as much as I wish he would. He usually sees them every other weekend, usually overnight on Saturday or sometimes overnight Friday and Saturday. I guess I should be glad he does that, but I feel that the kids need more of a father figure than he is willing to be. Since he only sees them 2 to 4 days out of a month, he is supposed to pay child support. SUPPOSED to. He doesn’t because he can’t seem to keep a job. Before anyone starts feeling sorry for him, he didn’t get laid off because of the poor economy, he got fired because of his bad attitude. Three times…In the past two years… Such a shame. So since child support can’t be garnished from a check that he doesn’t get, he owes me over $18,000 in back child support. Yes, those were three 0’s behind that! So I know I will probably never see that child support. Currently, he is living with some woman and her two kids and basically makes money by working on cars on the side. Wait. On the side of what? He doesn’t have a real job! I have found a way to laugh about this because if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. It’s important to keep your sense of humor, Single Parents!

Another way that I keep my sanity is by going to the most wonderful place on Earth! Who wants to take a guess at where that is? Yup. Disney World!!! I took my kids on a vacation there in 2008 and in 2009 (I was planning on taking them this year too, but that is a long story that I put in my new PTR). Both times, friends and family were asking, “Disney? By yourself? How can you handle the kids by yourself? How can you afford it BY YOURSELF?” But I went to Disney multiple times as a kid and I knew that I wanted to do that with my kids too. And with a little bit of research and a little bit of planning (or a lot of planning if you are a control freak like me) it is very realistic to have an affordable and relaxing trip with just you and your offspring! Anyway, I wasn’t BY MYSELF, I was with my awesome kids! I work really hard at my job and I work even harder at my real job – being a parent. So I deserve a fantastic vacation with my babies. I feel torn, as I am sure a lot of single parents do, between work and my kids. It’s hard balancing a growing career and a growing family. But looking at the stories here shows me that we are all doing it! It isn’t easy and there are times when we are going to struggle, but all of those things just make us stronger.
I am new to these boards, but I am glad to see a support thread like this one for single parents! This is my first subscription and my first reply! Woo hoo! And, as I mentioned, I just wrote my first PTR! Please read it! I have never done a PTR before and I’m kinda excited about how it turned out. Now I just have to read up on how to add installments as I continue planning (did I mention that I’m a control freak?)

Pixie Dust to all of us single parents out there!!! Here’s a link to my PTR:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2536407

 

[adsrtw]

Welcome to our thread and to the DIS! I absolutely agree - you have to laugh to keep from crying. And let's face it, laughing is so much more fun!

I'm going on my first trip as the only adult in just 2 weeks - very excited and nervous at the same time. I know we will have a ball.

 

[snow_white's_mom]

Hi! I am a 24 year old single mother of a special needs 5 year old. I have been a sngle mother since my daughter was 5 months old, and her father hasen't seen her since just before her 3rd birthday. I am going to school for biology and secondary education, it's taking me a long time to get through school but I know it will be worth it when I am done. I have some major health problems so I try to do as much with my daughter while I can. She has been to the world 5 times with my mom and me, and this January she will be taking her 6th trip with my friend and I. I love taking her to Disney because there no one knows that I am sick, that I am a single mother, and I can excape everything and competely enjoy my daughter.

 

[MommaMouse411]

great to find a support thread..my story is not so sad...my kids father and I were never together, but together..if you know what I mean...anyways, after the second one, I kind of was getting miffed about him doing whatever he wanted in his personal life...so I made up my mind that I will not get involved with him again...anyways...I can sayhe is a GREAT father...but he actually stays home with the kids, so I can work. and on top of that, he even will come on the weekends to see his kids...I never seen a man love his kids so much...its impressive since he's a little younger...but he has a very distorted view of women (basically wants me to be one of those submissive women that loves him unconditionally and let him do what he wants ie another girl)...he doesn't commit to any woman..blah blah blah...basically said he gets his cake and eats it too..gotta love the confidence..but I told him..DO YOU NOT KNOW ME????? that will never be. So long story short, I 'm a "Single" mother, but I'm not singlehandedly raising the kids...

however, I do go to Disney and other theme parks alot...and lots of times I've gone alone when it was only my now 2yr old..so I am excited to go to MNSSHP in Oct with both of them and see how I'm going to handle it..because we are going on a disney cruise in December and daddy might not be able to accompany us after all , so more than likely it will be me, my 2yr old and my 8month old..yes I know its crazy..but I gotta enjoy our lives together when we can...so I have a plan on how I'm going to get things done...

mostly we will be hanging out with the toddler groups and the mickey pool or splash pad, depending if my 2yr old is potty trained by then. won't get off at Nassau, but will at castaway..

I will also have my monstrocity of a double stroller so that thing will be with us on the boat too..

I also have harnesses I bought for both (my 2yr old walked at 8months so I'm anticipating my baby to walk too)...

The only problem I have a disney is the stroller..I can handle the baby and my toddler alone..its that stroller...so I think once the baby is 6months + it will be easier since I wouldn't have to use the car seat in the stroller and that will make the stroller lighter and easier to turn...now that thing is still heavy...so going tlo MK, I have to try and get a parking closer to the park entrance so I can walk instead of using the tram...i've been lucky couple times...

at busch gardens, they have stroller parking so that helps me out alot...

but when it was just me and DS2...I packed lunch, water, snacks for the day. I also packed a bookbag of diapers, wipes, extra clothes for both of us...some folks say take breaks go back to the resort...not us..my 2yr old would take a nap in the stroller and I would hang out in the baby center to cool off, then go shopping..we can pretty much stay from morning to close...however, like I said...I would have nearly 3 bags with me, a stroller and my DS...imagine me getting on the tram? Luckily there are some nice people out there, and they will help me with the stroller.
so the only stressful part of the day was getting from the parking lot to the park...once we were there, since I know all the parks layouts by heart...I just make sure to stop at baby center as much as I could to cool off and eat, and change diapers..etc...I avoided long lines...I used FASTPASSES...never waited more than 20 minutes for anything. I made that mistake once to take pictures with mickey and I already had committed to 30minutes waiting and waited another 30...my son was a terror...I was embarrassed but that was the last time we waited in a long line...(hence the reason we do character dinings).



anyways..glad to see this thread...and I will subscribe to get to know ya'll.

 

[MommaMouse411]

Hi! I am a 24 year old single mother of a special needs 5 year old. I have been a sngle mother since my daughter was 5 months old, and her father hasen't seen her since just before her 3rd birthday. I am going to school for biology and secondary education, it's taking me a long time to get through school but I know it will be worth it when I am done. I have some major health problems so I try to do as much with my daughter while I can. She has been to the world 5 times with my mom and me, and this January she will be taking her 6th trip with my friend and I. I love taking her to Disney because there no one knows that I am sick, that I am a single mother, and I can excape everything and competely enjoy my daughter.

I hear ya SWmom...I feel like I have to enjoy my kids when I can, tomorrow is not promised...and that's why I love Disney..its such an escape from reality..I actually hate having to leave the premises at end of our stays!!

 

[snow_white's_mom]

I hear ya SWmom...I feel like I have to enjoy my kids when I can, tomorrow is not promised...and that's why I love Disney..its such an escape from reality..I actually hate having to leave the premises at end of our stays!!

I hate leaving too...I usually wind up tearing up a bit. We have a last day routine we follow. The last park we visit is always MK, it's my daughter's and my favorite park. Then the day we are leaving we do the character breakfast at ohana and then go for one last monorail ride to wave goodbye to disney, this is where I try to hold back the tears lol. But we try to enjoy every minute we have in disney.