Single Parent Support Thread

[Kat&Dom]

I need some advice on the best way to handle this situation. My ex's on-again/off-again girlfriend told my son whose 4 that she is pregnant with a little sister for him. Well, she isn't pregnant and was just playing a game but I am so angry that my son is caught in the middle of her lies. I told my ex that I do not want my son exposed to her in any way so for all future visits, she is not allowed. My son is so excited about having a baby sister and I have not told him that it is not going to happen. My son visited his dad last night for a couple of hours and when I was picking up my son, the girlfriend arrived and said to me - oh perfect timing. I honestly don't care what happens between the 2 of them but I don't like my son being drawn into the web of lies that the 2 of them seem to exist on. Anyone else have this situation and have any great wisdom for me?

 

[adsrtw]

I have no advice for you, but I would be absolutely furious. I am so sorry that your kiddo is stuck in that situation.

 

[2Tiggies]

I need some advice on the best way to handle this situation. My ex's on-again/off-again girlfriend told my son whose 4 that she is pregnant with a little sister for him. Well, she isn't pregnant and was just playing a game but I am so angry that my son is caught in the middle of her lies. I told my ex that I do not want my son exposed to her in any way so for all future visits, she is not allowed. My son is so excited about having a baby sister and I have not told him that it is not going to happen. My son visited his dad last night for a couple of hours and when I was picking up my son, the girlfriend arrived and said to me - oh perfect timing. I honestly don't care what happens between the 2 of them but I don't like my son being drawn into the web of lies that the 2 of them seem to exist on. Anyone else have this situation and have any great wisdom for me?

I can't tell you what to do. I do know that at 4 years old, children are very trusting and don't question things they are told. I don't know what your laws are around visitation and contact with children from broken relationships, but it sounds like a situation where a court order imposing a specific condition that the girlfriend is not present during the time that your DS is spending time with his dad. See how your ex holds up at keeping his end of the agreement that this won't happen (don't be surprised if he doesn't bother), but it may be worth gleaning some information on where you stand with that. You need to tell your little one at some point, preferably sooner rather than later. And you need to tell him, not the offending parties as I wouldnt' trust them to do it the right way.

I am so sorry you have to go through this but you will work it out. Remember, however you break the news, your little one's reaction will NOT be because of how you did it.

 

[EKW]

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.

I totally understand! When I took Ruby Payne training they said that this mindset is the mindset of poverty...events before things. Well, so be it!

My mother died at age 45. Her mother died at 44. I spent my childhood listening to my mother talk about all the things we'd do and have "someday". Someday never came!

Every Disney trip I've taken has been at the cost of other things...new furniture, downpayment on a new car, etc. The reality is, those other needs will always be there. My kids will only BE kids once. So, when the opportunity arises, we go to Disney!

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[LaurLaur04]

Hello everyone!

Single mom of a DD here. Been single since I was 2 months pregnant! Her father and I dated for 4 years (highschool sweethearts). I was in college, and we got engaged, planning to marry when I graduated. After that first semester I got pregnant, and a few weeks later he just stopped calling, stopped coming over, and just disappeared! He has made appearances since then, mostly to try to hurt us, and doesn't pay his child support like he is supposed to. Some days are easier than others. DD is almost 3 now, and things have gotten MUCH better. Dated here and there, but I just don't feel like I can give anyone else my time right now, just DD! I have a nice paying job (thanks to that college degree, graduated on time even though I got pregnant and gave birth while still in school!). Still live with my parents, because I don't want to move out and have to live paycheck to paycheck, waiting until I finish my 2nd degree and hopefully get a management position where I currently work (hospital, I'm an x-ray tecH). I love my DD and she's all I need to be happy!

 

[LaurLaur04]

We should plan some single parent meets!! OP, you should get together everyones trip dates and make a list!

Sept 18th-25th

 

[adsrtw]

Hi everybody! I'm doing absolutely nothing today (recovering from having quite a few moles removed - just sore). I think hanging out on the DIS will be a great way to keep me from moving around. I hope everybody has a great weekend!

 

[jennyf2]

Time is dragging & dragging for Disney Today I worked & my oldest son had baseball. I put a few things on CL & sold 2 of them & made $100.00 for Disney!!!! I need to make 1 more ADR for our August trip & I am stalking the online res site--Le Cellier for lunch on the 25th ... I'm now watching Christmas in July on QVC

Hope everyone has a great wkd!!!

 

[hereyago]

How is everyone doing today? the past couple weeks have been crazy. DM77, DD and I live together. Well, DM had a uti-no joke when it is with the elderly-long story short, she fell, hurt her foot, is in rehab.

DD has done a few things this summer all ready: gone with a church youth group with a habitat for humanity type thing, went to the Outer Banks with another friend, went to horse camp. She stayed with her DF for a week, now she is back up there for the week.

We are going to WDW Halloween weekend and I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[adsrtw]

How is everyone doing today? the past couple weeks have been crazy. DM77, DD and I live together. Well, DM had a uti-no joke when it is with the elderly-long story short, she fell, hurt her foot, is in rehab.

DD has done a few things this summer all ready: gone with a church youth group with a habitat for humanity type thing, went to the Outer Banks with another friend, went to horse camp. She stayed with her DF for a week, now she is back up there for the week.

We are going to WDW Halloween weekend and I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sending hugs to your mom! UTI's can be very bad for the elderly.

Jenny - good luck in your quest! Even if you can't find an ADR by trip time, I would still try to walk up during an off time for lunch at Le Cellier. Congrats on the extra money!

 

[Debrn]

Hi I have been separated for 7 mos and am going through a really tough divorce. Funny how you don't really know someone until you are divorcing them. I have 2 beautiful kids 10&7. We are planning our first solo trip in October over Halloween. I have decided to bring a friend from work so I am so excited. I know we will be smiling as soon as we get on the plane and leave all this stress behind. I have always loved all things disney and so do my kids. We joined the DVC last year and I hope I am able to continue it on my own. I am an RN in a maternity ward and love my work but am now finding it difficult due to not much help from the ex. and have to rely on family for babysitting but thank goodness for family !!!!

 

[adsrtw]

Welcome Deb! What an awesome job you have! I hope you and your kids have a great trip.

 

[Lcaemom]

Hi I have been separated for 7 mos and am going through a really tough divorce. Funny how you don't really know someone until you are divorcing them. I have 2 beautiful kids 10&7. We are planning our first solo trip in October over Halloween. I have decided to bring a friend from work so I am so excited. I know we will be smiling as soon as we get on the plane and leave all this stress behind. I have always loved all things disney and so do my kids. We joined the DVC last year and I hope I am able to continue it on my own. I am an RN in a maternity ward and love my work but am now finding it difficult due to not much help from the ex. and have to rely on family for babysitting but thank goodness for family !!!!

Hey Deb...welcome! You sound just like ME!!! I too, am separated, going through divorce, I'm from MA, and I'm an RN...and even worked in maternity, at Winchester Hosp. It is hard but, I feel exactly the same way...it will be great to leave it all behind for Disney trip. October will be a great time of year to go. Do you have a PTR? We are going in December...it was going to be just my girls and I but, we now, too have friends joining us. Looking forward to planning and chatting!

 

[adsrtw]

Good morning everybody! I'm working on the last bits of back to school festivites tonight - meaning dragging my son to shop for clothes. That made me wonder when everybody else goes back. We return on 8/11.

 

[Debrn]

Enjoyed reading your PTR. Good choice on hotel and dining. You sound a lot like me with your planning it is like a part time job planning for these trips I sometimes drive my kids a little crazy. I see you work for VNA. I am at NWH. We are lucky to be in our profession in this economy especially going through divorce. Look forward to reading more. We went last year for Christmas stayed WL and BLT. So I opted for Halloween too many memories of their dad at Christmas. Never stayed at Boardwalk really looking forward to that and our stay at BLT loved the location.

Hey Deb...welcome! You sound just like ME!!! I too, am separated, going through divorce, I'm from MA, and I'm an RN...and even worked in maternity, at Winchester Hosp. It is hard but, I feel exactly the same way...it will be great to leave it all behind for Disney trip. October will be a great time of year to go. Do you have a PTR? We are going in December...it was going to be just my girls and I but, we now, too have friends joining us. Looking forward to planning and chatting!

 

[entropy63]

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.

 

[adsrtw]

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.

Welcome! Have a great trip!

 

[entropy63]

Me and the boys March 2009

 

[Kat&Dom]

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.

Have an awesome trip - I noticed that you are celebrating your son's 8th birthday - do you have anything special planned?

We are going in November and I signed my son up for the Kid's Pirate Adventure from Grand Floridian - it is for kid's only and is from 9:30am-11:30am. I figured that my son would feel pretty special to go off by himself without mom on the ship and have some pirate time with other kids.

It might be something cool to surprise Josh with.

What a great trip of male bonding you will have.

 

[entropy63]

Have an awesome trip - I noticed that you are celebrating your son's 8th birthday - do you have anything special planned?

We are going in November and I signed my son up for the Kid's Pirate Adventure from Grand Floridian - it is for kid's only and is from 9:30am-11:30am. I figured that my son would feel pretty special to go off by himself without mom on the ship and have some pirate time with other kids.

It might be something cool to surprise Josh with.

What a great trip of male bonding you will have.

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.