Hi elizabeth christie, I have been chatting to you on the other thread, you are welcome here and I hope you will find the site useful and supportive.
I am guessing you have used your full name as your user name and you might want to change this to a "user name", To do this, click on My Profile on the top right hand of the page and then amend the box where you have put the name.
The problem is that he doesn't live near me so he travels to visit. He does take her out for a while but brings her back hence the time in the house together. He sleeps on the couch so that he can be there for the Sunday as well. It's NOT ideal.
Hello I am Austie.
I am mother to two boys aged 5.5 and 7.5 and have been a lone parent and separated for exactly 5 years. My ex has always worked away since first born was 4 weeks old so I have been used to doing it all by myself and in places were I have been very isolated. I am now beginning to have a bit of a life and work part time, volunteer and study, as well as bringing the children up by myself, so I am very busy but enjoy it!
S x
Hi Austie
Good to see you, you are welcome to One Space. I am glad that things are feeling so positive to you and it sounds as if the nature of your boys' dad's work meant that it was not such a culture shock when you separated. What is the nature of your work, voluntary work and studies?
Hi Austie. Welcome along. It's a fantastic site, lots of different threads. Everyone is extremely warm and friendly, so I do hope you join in with us. Great to hear you're enjoying everything about your life 
Do the children have regular contact with their Dad? Look forward to 'chatting'. xx
god why are there so many idiots out there, i was in a very violent relationship for 7 years refuges the lot, the legal system especially the police are rubbish me and my kids have continued to be abused for 8 more years in and out of courts still ongoing . my youngest child is his and he manipulates her to hurt me my 16 year old son has had behaviour problems for years because of this man and hence he abused me too things have been so bad and 15 years after meeting him it still goes on. My son has just got a place in music college and everything been quiet for a couple of weeks i hope he will stlle down now and not get into anymore trouble. It amazing how fast the police have responded if he has got in trouble, yet when we needed them they would turn up days after the incident. I have a son 19 due to start university and my youngest 9 is having behavioural problems more referals,i am 40 in 6 weeks and they say life begins, they say good things come to those who wait.
Its good to be able to listen to other peoples stories you dont feel quite alone, i dont have any friends became totally isolated, domestic abuse is more than a fist it destroys your self worth. I going on thats what happens when you dont see people. Anyway look forward to chatting, see you later x
Tula123, you have been through a great deal, hope you feel things are more settled for you now
Hi everyone who has recently joined and introduced themselves, I have recently had a couple of weeks off, but it is good to be back and 'see' new people!
I look forward to getting to know you in other areas of the forums.
Hope you are having a good week, catch up with you soon 
Hi
I just joined this site. I'm a home educating single parent in Sheffield, following prospective legal changes very closely.
Hello FionaN
You are very welcome. How old are your children and how long have you been a home educator?
What are the legal changes that you think may most affect you?
Hi Louise
I have 1 son who's 18 and he's never been to school, so we've home educated right from the start. (Had difficulty filling in registration form, wouldn't accept a zero for other age children)
The changes which will affect me personally are to do with the proposals for assumed minimum earnings from self-employment in terms of tapering-off Working Tax Credit. For home educators with younger children, they are very worried about going off Income Support when youngest is 5 and I'm talking to people who say they'll just have to manage on Child Tax Credits and Child Benefit alone without the personal element of JSA because they won't be able to do all the things the JobCentre requires for Jobseeker's Allowance.
Hi FionaN
I have often wondered how the new IS rules would affect people who were home-educating as I really don't see how an educator could be "available for work"; they are already working many hours a week! If there is a child with disabilites involved then this does not apply as they can stay on IS until the child is 18. When your son is 19 then the CTC and CB will finish for you, I am thinking, but of course it is people with younger ones that will be affected.
The assumed minimum level of self employed earnings: there has been a loophole that has enabled people to "bump up" their hours, either above the 16 per week or even into the 30+ bracket in order to get more Working Tax Credit and to declare their actual income in this process, and let's face it, self employed people often ARE paid less than the minimum wage, and all power to them that they are doing their best, despite this
Thanks very much for replying, Louise. Yes, my situation will change when my son is 19. It's actually pretty difficult to get the right assessment for having "a child with disabilities" eg if a child is on the autistic spectrum, so I do know home educating parents who will only be eligible for JSA and not for IS. Families don't want to flag up that they may have difficulties because this could make them vulnerable to increased scrutiny over their home education provision and the child could get very anxious about being made to go back to school, plus they find the whole DLA form-filling overwhelming not least because they don't get any head-space from their children to do all the paperwork. And yes, you're also absolutely right that home educators have a big problem if they can't say they are "available for work" and they have to take their children with them to sign on etc. Re Working Tax Credit, currently we can say we are working the hours, irrespective of actual earned income. But if the new rules come in, they WTC will be cut off as though someone is receiving 16 hours minimum wage AND they may have to go and sign on and do all the other JSA stuff because 16 hours isn't "full-time". Or at least, that's how I'm reading the proposed regs and the Welfare Reform Bill Committee debates. So anyway, yes it's all a bit of a minefield and I will get off my soapbox now!
Hi i`m whitleywonder, I have 4 children 2 boys and 2 girls aged 13,11,9 and 2. I have been a single parent for almost 3 months. We have a cockerpoo called Lilly who is just a year old so our lives are busy.
Hi whitleywonder. Welcome along to One Space. It's a really warm, friendly site, so do hope you stay with us and join in. It's still early days for you being a single parent, how are you and the children doing?
Hello whitleywonder
Nice to have you with us! Hope you soon feel at home here. Do the children have any involvement wiht the other parent? I know your split is quite recent. You mention a cockerpoo, is this a cross between a spaniel and a poodle?
Hello from me too. I bet the dog is so cute!!!
Hi FionaN, welcome from me thanks for letting us know about the registration form, I have informed our technical whizz.
Whitleywonder - great name! You must be quite a wonderwoman, with 3 so close in age and then a teensy one and a puppy!! Are you getting used to single parenthood?
Hi, I have three children 14,18,20 yrs
one girl and two boys.
My husband has just walked out on me last week after 20 yrs of marriage. My head is spinning and i do not know what to do first.
Hi moth,
Welcome! Things must feel very confusing just now. Five initial things to focus on:
1. Can you stay in your home? If not, where will you live?
2. Money: do you work? What will you live on? Is the children's dad paying child support?
3. Legal advice, see here for a solicitor, if you haven't got one
4. What have the children been told and how can you help them with this?
5. Have you got some emotional support? Whether family, friends or counselling? (or The Samaritans on 08457 909090)
Sorry this is a list but I thought it was the clearest way to help you just now
Hi moth
Great list Louise thanks! I just wanted to expand a little on what has already been written
1. If you have any questions about housing and relationship breakdown, visit Shelter, they have a brilliant website.
2. See our Your Money page to find info on benefits, work and debt and CSA.
4. Have a look at our Parenting Alone section for support with Family Break up videos and articles on supporting you support your children.
And keep talking to us, we are right here to support you all the way!
Hi moth
You must be reeling with the shock.
Thinking of you.
Hi moth. Hoping you and the children are ok.
Hello everyone,just a quick introduction,am new here,single mum for 3 years,relocated to Hereford last year,dont really know anyone,am hoping to get back into work in September when my youngest starts school and get some sort of life again...is there a way of seeing if there are other single parents in my area on here? Hope to speak to you all a bit more soon :) xx
Hi wench. Welcome along to One Space. How many children do you have? What sort of work are you hoping to get once youngest starts school?
You can check here to see if other parents here are local to you. Look forward to 'chatting'.
Hi wench - hmmm, never greeted someone by the name of wench before, very medieval!!
Welcome to One Space! How is Hereford? I drove through the other day, it is very pretty. Do you come from somewhere similar or is it a culture shock? How are you settling in?
There aren't any single parent groups that I know of in the Hereford area, Netmums do have a great scheme called Meet a Mum where you might find local mums. I did find a womens centre that offered complimentary therapies, along with courses and groups, however they have had their funding cut, so they are closed 
Do have a look around the site and join in or start your own thread. What kind of work are you going to do?
LOL Anna :) yes wench is kinda my nickname...anyways thanks for the welcome to you and Hazeleyes :)
I have 2 boys (aged 4 and 12) moved to a small town near hereford from K in N a year ago. Really like it here but have not met many ppl,everyone kind of knows everyone round here and i feel a bit of an outsider,i find it hard to make new friends too so really looking forward to getting back to work as i know i will then. Was working as a support worker in mental health before and would love to get into the same thing,had a lot of help with regards to childcare back in K and have none here,i have an appt at the job centre in august so im hoping they will tell me what my options are,as i have no idea...so i guess i will know more then,to be honest i think i will be open to doing any job that fits in with the boys,i just want to start earning again,i really am hoping i will actually be better off financially for doing it as ive heard sometimes financially its not worth it,but i have more to gain,self esteem and new friends so as long as im not worse off then it will be fine....apologies for ramble ...will have to have a look around and see where to post my future ramblings :)
Hi Wench, nice to have someone who is 'newer' than I!
I think half of this site working so well is that it's ok to have a good ramble/rant! At least then it's out of your system and you know you won't be judged for it!
Admiring you working in mental health - i am a student of adult nursing and i find mental health really scary. Give me blood and gore anytime! 
Looking forward to more ramblings! x
Hi Wench. Here is an article about work and childcare here I'm sure you'll make lots of friends through school etc.
Hi wench, carry on rambling, thats what we're here for! You can start your own thread, then that keeps this one clear for newcomers!!
It will be great to have you on board with your experience of mental health etc.
PS. I have taken the name of your previous town, to cover our anonymity rules
hi my name is D i have 3 girls aged 16,15 and 4 i am trying to get my life back on track and meet new friends
Hi averlanch, welcome to One Space!
3 girls eh? Is that fun? Especially with the eldest two being so close together, do they get on? Do they enjoy their youngest sister?
How long have you been a single parent? From your post I guess not that long as you are trying to get your life back on track! Do you know many people in your local area?
Please feel free to look around the boards and start your own thread, or join in any other discussion you wish.
Looking forward to getting to know you
PS. I removed your name and inserted initial, as we like to keep people anonymous on the site
Hi averlanch,
I'm newish here. I have a 15 year old daughter. What are your eldest ones doing for the holidays? I found its easier when they're younger, trips to the parks, local farm can keep them occupied but when they're older and their friends are busy with family holidays, it can be hard finding things for them to do
Tina x
Hi averlanch. A big welcome from me too. I have one son age 8 (nearly 9). Look forward to 'chatting' and getting to know you. Take care. xx
Hi Im Charlie .I have 4 children from age 4 to 20 .This is my second time as a lone parent .I work part time and love being a mum
Hi charlie, welcome along to One Space. It's a great site, so glad you found us. You'll know all about single parenthood then, as it's your 2nd time.
I've just the one son age 8. Look forward to 'chatting'. Hope you manage to have a look around at the different topics, and you're welcome to start your own thread.
Hi charlie40, welcome along!
How long have you been a single parent this time round??
yeah the older girls get on great now they are older and they love having a little sister.
i lost all my friends over time and dont really know many people now so just needing to make a new circle of friends x
my eldest daughter has found a part time job for the holidays and she will be able to carry on with it when she goes to college.and my 15 yr old is just out with her friends as they get older they do their own thing so its mainly just me and the younger one who need to find things to do lol x
It sounds as though you have a happy harmonious home then!!
What are the people like that you work with? do you have much time for hobbies?
Hello and welcome to wench, averlanch and charlie40, hope you soon feel at home, this is a friendly site and please join in the different threads
Hi everyone, i'm Heidi and I have a 14 yr old single parent. I have been a single parent since my daughter was 3.
I don't have many friends due to most of them getting married or moving away so I was hoping to make some new friends here and to get and give support.
TaTa for now :) xx
Hey!
You have a 14 year old single parent? Or you are a single parent to a 14-year-old (not that this would be mutually exclusive, I suppose) 
Everyone here is really really nice and helpful, AND they have proper good ideas of how to deal with teenagers!
Hi heidiy
Welcome to One Space, thanks for introducing yourself! I have a 16 year old daughter, its great fun! Do you get along? Thick as thieves or constantly at loggerheads?
My first and only doll was called Heidi
Look forward to getting to know you, have a look around the boards and join in wherever you wish, talk soon.
Hello heidiy
How are you doing? Nice to see you here, how are the school hols going? 
Hi everyone, I have been a single parent for 4 years to my son. His dad has never featured in his life as he moved abroad soon after my son was born! It's been hard but I wouldn't change it. The problem is I am now pregnant and the father is pushing me for a termination. Can I cope on my own with two children ( he has made it very clear that if I carry on with the pregnancy he wants nothing to do with us!). I have a difficult decision to male and was hoping some people here might be able to give me dome support.
Jazzy xxx
Hi Jazzy
You are very welcome here
As for your question, there is only you who can truly answer that one, there are people on the boards bringing up several children on their own and I had two myself. Please be assured that we will be happy to support you whatever you decide.I can suggest some counselling organisations when you are a bit clearer in your own mind but we are happy to talk things through here, too. How many weeks along are you and what are the things that worry you most about coping with two children?
Hi all. I'm a young single parent for almost 2 years now to 2 young girls. My ex was emotionally abusive to me and the children and now rarely sees them and causes as much trouble as possible still (trying to claim i dont let him see the children when i've offered contact as much as i can) Just after some advice or like minded people really. I'm in northwest xx
Hello lauzyj
Welcome to you!"
Sounds like it might be a good idea to start a thread of your own giving some more details and we can all see if we have any suggestions?
hi i have 3 kids, 2 boys and 1 girl
they are aged 7, 6, 3
i'v been seperated for 3 years