Single Parent Support Thread

[Kat&Dom]

I am very sad today. A co-worker of mine, who is a single mom, passed away in a car accident this morning - she had just asked my advice a couple of weeks ago about planning a Disney vacation to take her daughter on. They had never been to Disney. Life is so short and we all need to live life to the fullest and be grateful for each moment we have with our children. My heart is just broken for a 14 year old girl who is now growing up without her mom.

 

[Singleminnie]

I am very sad today. A co-worker of mine, who is a single mom, passed away in a car accident this morning - she had just asked my advice a couple of weeks ago about planning a Disney vacation to take her daughter on. They had never been to Disney. Life is so short and we all need to live life to the fullest and be grateful for each moment we have with our children. My heart is just broken for a 14 year old girl who is now growing up without her mom.

I am so sorry to hear that! I too am a single mom, of a 14 DD,9 DD, and 4 DD. I got home this evening from taking my 4 yr old to her kindergarten physical to a letter from my atty, informing me that my ex is now appealing the overruling of his motion for a new trial. It took me over a year to get through the trial, six weeks for the decision, then he filed for a motion for a new trial (which was over ruled) and now he is taking it to the court of appeals. All because he does not agree with the child support order. I was feeling pretty low until I read the story above, now I am just glad I am here to care for my DDs. I can't imagine leaving them behind. Unfortunately, it took a story like this to make me see the silver lining of my situation. I will keep your friend's family in my prayers.

 

[adsrtw]

Kat - I am so sorry for both you and your friend's family. I don't have the words to describe how tragic. I lost my dad 27 years ago this coming Friday, but I can't imagine losing my Mom. Does the daughter have other family support? I feel so much sympathy for her (and you too!),

SingleMinnie - I'm wishing you the best of luck. It seems like a stall tactic on your ex's part. Hang in there!

 

[EKW]

Guess I'll get onboard! I'm a single mom to two boys, ages almost-15 and 9. Like many of you, I'm sole provider. I feel for those of you who have shared custody...I think it's a much easier road for those of us who don't have to deal with that.

I've done 4 Disney trips with my boys so far. Thankfully, I've been offered a job for this fall, so I can start planning for next summer!

That lack-of-a-safety-net issue is one of the biggest issues I face as a single mom.

Here's hoping the PTB here offer us a sub-forum here so it will be easier to discuss and get to know one another!

 

[Lcaemom]

Hello to all of you. I, too am a single mom to three daughters. We are planning our first trip...just us, without dad, to WDW 12/1-12/8. We have been saving everyday for this trip since last fall. That money could go a long way to pay for many other things but, Disney is something we love...and life is just too short. The girls got used to going each year at Christmas and last year when I couldn't pull it off, I realized how much they really missed it. So, after much contemplating I booked it, last week! We have done much planning already...hotel, park tickets, airfare, dining, etc. We are all so excited!!! I'm a little nervous to take the girls, myself...and feel a little irresponsible in some ways because there are other things that this money could pay for...but, we will pay for the trip in cash...and I don't ever want to look back and regret that we didn't go.

 

[ssommerville]

I'm a single mom of three DD10, DD9, and DS8- it's been just me and them for the past 7 years. We've done WDW twice 3/08, 3/09, and going back this December for younger daughter's 10th birthday. I've always taken the kids to lots of places- trying to make good memories for them and we had no trouble at Disney- we had tons of fun both times and can't wait to get back in a few more months.

 

[figment301]

Hello to all Single mom to dd 19 (who is on her own), dd 8 and dd 7. I took the two youngest for the first time in sept. 07 and I was lucky enough that I had been to Disney for years and had an idea of what I was doing. All I can say is have a plan of attack going in and it should go ok. People at Disney were so helpful at the end of the day helping me get the girls, bags and stroller on and off the buses. So be prepared for plenty of pixie dust.

Anyway, I think it is great that this thread was started. I love to hear that I am not the only single mom who loves Disney. Everyone who knows me thinks I am crazy lol. Now we just need to start a Disney dating site and we'll be good to go

 

[Trep72]

Hello all!

I'm a single dad to an awesome 12yr old girl. We are going to WDW for the 2nd year in a row and will be there Oct. 14-19th. As of now, we are staying at POP...unless some other amazing offer becomes available.

Definitely looking for other single parents to hang out with, or just talk to.

 

[Trep72]

After a quick glance of the thread, there seems to be very few single dad's on here.

 

[adsrtw]

Welcome to our newest posters!

I'm absolutely exhausted but too tired to sleep. We have another fun day ahead involving 2 museums in Indy. It was sweltering here today. We are heading to Cincinnati Saturday and then home Saturday afternoon.

 

[adaygaby]

After a quick glance of the thread, there seems to be very few single dad's on here.

I'm sure we have more out there... they might be testing the waters....



Welcome to all new posters....!

I'm on day 14 w/o my son but I did speak to him today and he is having fun spending the summer with his dad and paternal grandparents.
Sure do miss him...!! Can't wait for his return back home in 24 days and will be packing for our disney trip.

 

[Kat&Dom]

I'm sure we have more out there... they might be testing the waters....



Welcome to all new posters....!

I'm on day 14 w/o my son but I did speak to him today and he is having fun spending the summer with his dad and paternal grandparents.
Sure do miss him...!! Can't wait for his return back home in 24 days and will be packing for our disney trip.

You are going to have so much fun with your son at Disney. 24 days will go by in no time. You are almost at half way point now. I do feel for you though - you must miss your son a lot.

In the 3 years that I have been divorced, my ex has not taken my son once overnight. We were going to try an overnight visit a couple of weeks ago but it didn't work out. I am starting to think that he is afraid to spend time alone with his son. It is very odd and he is missing out on so much.

I am super lucky to have such an amazing and loving son though. I count my blessing every day that I am Dominic's mom. I just hope that my love is enough for him and that the neglect from his father does not impact too greatly on his life. I hope it spurs him on to make better choices for his life than his father has.

 

[adaygaby]

You are going to have so much fun with your son at Disney. 24 days will go by in no time. You are almost at half way point now. I do feel for you though - you must miss your son a lot.

In the 3 years that I have been divorced, my ex has not taken my son once overnight. We were going to try an overnight visit a couple of weeks ago but it didn't work out. I am starting to think that he is afraid to spend time alone with his son. It is very odd and he is missing out on so much.

I am super lucky to have such an amazing and loving son though. I count my blessing every day that I am Dominic's mom. I just hope that my love is enough for him and that the neglect from his father does not impact too greatly on his life. I hope it spurs him on to make better choices for his life than his father has.

Feel the same way here hon..!
My ex moved out of town (~6hrs away) the end of January; came by March 5th to see him. Would call my son once or twice a week.

The thing that would frustrate me about him not seeing him since March was that...when we were married he would go visit his parents (same place he moved to) every 2 weeks.. even if we didn't have the money or he didn't have a job, he would still go and visit them no matter what. But here we are now and he can't come to visit his child atleast once a month?
Even though they're young I think they understand and see much more than what we think. I've kept him busy with baseball and now karate to keep him busy and not have to much time to have a big impact like you said.
I know we'll have many struggles to go thru but will conquer everything at the end.

BTW... 23 days til I see my munchkin..! LOL

 

[dhardawa]

I'll join in here! I'm a single mom with two kids. My daughter is 10 1/2 and my son will be three next month. My daughter's father lives about 6-7 hours away so I have her pretty much all the time. My son is adopted so he is 100% mine! I work full time as a project manager for a major insurance company which helps lower the stress of being a single mom because our finances are in good shape. Don't get me wrong, more money would be great (who would turn down more money), but we aren't struggling like a lot of single parent families I see around here ("around here" meaning geographically, not on the board).

I am pretty sure my daughter has been to Disney four times (how sad that I'm not 100% certain - I can remember four times so at least that many) and my son has been twice. His first trip he was six weeks old though so that hardly counts. I'm planning to take them back next fall when he'll be four because that is such a magical age for Disney World.

 

[graygables]

Hey all,
I was a single mom to 2 DDs, got remarried, had 2 more DDs, and am now "virtually" single again. I'm still married, but we live 1,000 miles away with no intention of living under the same roof again. I can't seem to get to the D-word just yet as my youngest has some issues and it would be very bad for her emotionally.

I work 29 hours a week, go to grad school full time, and homeschool the girls. I am VERY blessed to have my oldest (24yo) living with me to at least be an adult around when I'm not (we work opposite shifts). I'm due to graduate in September, so I'm looking to go full time any day now which will really shake things up. It would be nice to be more financially stable and have health insurance for the first time in many years, but I will miss the extra time at home. Even when I'm doing my school work, I'm still available, so it will be strange.

We are also very blessed that I'm a CM, so we can visit WDW often. Surprisingly, we don't go AS often as most people think; I do want to keep it fresh and fun for DDs! Last year, at one point, they told me they were tired of Epcot (we did the F&WF a LOT) and that's when we really dialed it back.

So, single parents, if you're at WDW and would like a night out, get in touch and maybe my oldest can watch the kiddos and you can get some adult time!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Hi everyone!

Single mom here to two wonderful kiddos for about 3 years. My DD is 7 and DS is 5. I'm currently in school studying to be a Medical Assistant. I graduate in March 2011 and can't wait to be done! I have my degree in accounting but after having kids I became a SAHM and didn't want to go back in the accounting field. I'm liking what I'm doing so far though.

My ex-h is currently all over the place. You never know where he will be or who he will be with so he very rarely sees the kids unless it is his scheduled time.

The kids and I will be heading to Disney in September (9/11-19 staying at Pop) and I'm calling it my graduation present to myself. I know I don't graduate until March but this is the only free time I have that we will be able to enjoy it. (I do have time again in December but between my birthday, my DD's birthday, Christmas and dealing with visitation it's better for us to go in September). I'm a little nervous about how things will go and how we will do rides with only 3 people. I know we can do most but when it comes to things like BTMRR or Splash and a few other rides I'm scared at how we will fit. Any advice?

 

[graygables]

The kids and I will be heading to Disney in September (9/11-19 staying at Pop) and I'm calling it my graduation present to myself. I know I don't graduate until March but this is the only free time I have that we will be able to enjoy it. (I do have time again in December but between my birthday, my DD's birthday, Christmas and dealing with visitation it's better for us to go in September). I'm a little nervous about how things will go and how we will do rides with only 3 people. I know we can do most but when it comes to things like BTMRR or Splash and a few other rides I'm scared at how we will fit. Any advice?

That was exactly what I did when my oldest were that age! It was a great gift to our family. Make sure to get a celebration button and WEAR it (and some grad ears...) It depends on the size of you and your kiddos, but I've seen 3 across on both of those rides. On ones we could only go by 2s, I sat with youngest and oldest was in front of me. We never had a problem and had a blast.

 

[adsrtw]

Hey everybody! We are still in Indy tonight and plan on heading to Cincinnati tomorrow morning. Crazy as it sounds, we are going to a grocery store there. We've had a good trip, but it just isn't Disney. I hope everybody has a good weekend!

 

[jennyf2]

Good Morning

Well I'm OFFICIALLY book for August 22-28th, we upgraded to the regular dining plan & staying at the ASSports. I have never debated this long before booking a trip but no regrets! I would love to meet up with other Dis-ers while we are down there

Well I'm off to clean up our yard after a BIG storm last night! We had a thunderstorm/tornado warnings last night & trees are down all over the neighborhood.

Have a great Sunday

Jenny

 

[adsrtw]

We are home and I am absolutely exhausted. I have done nothing but play on the computer today. It's storming here - thanks thunder for shaking the house, lol.