Hi - I'm a 42 yr old mum to a wonderful 13 yr old son. I work full-time and have been separated for 6 months now. It's hard and I struggle daily trying to keep cheerful. We are having to sell the house because my ex has walked away from his reponsibilities, paccked his job in so I now have a big mortgage I can't afford and the property market is dead, so that's a big worry. I have a couple of solid friends who have stood by me as have work colleagues through what has been a very traumaic time for various reasons. It would be lovely if there are any mums (or dads) out there local to me who would like to chat and know what I'm going through I feel like I have two heads sometimes and some 'friends' have just fallen by the way-side and backed right off since I'm single. It's lonely....
Thanks for your kind reply - it's good to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The losing of friends does hurt, especially those you thought were bomb proof! I'm so proud of you that you've done so well. I hope I can do likewise - the financial strain is a big big worry as I've never been in this situation before.
Thanks again
Jonni
x
Hello again jonnime
Have you had some financial advice? We have an expert on hand from the Citizen's Advice Bureau, just click here to email them.
It is sadly true that many friends will fall by the wayside (almost as if they think divorce is "infectious"
) and one of the things you can do as your life changes is to think about making a whole new bunch of friends.
How is your son doing? Is he seeing his dad?
Hi jonnime. Just wanted to welcome you along.
Hi from me too.
So many changes you're having to face, and I know they're not easy.
hi from me too.
Hi jonnime, you are going through a difficult time, unfortunately we are not local to you, however we are here for you, as someone mentioned last year, we can 'parent alone' together!
It is good to read that you have some solid friends who have stood by you through thick and thin. I am taking it that you would like to widen your circle? Or are you looking for people in the same position as you?
It is hard when you are going through all these things and then having to put on a cheerful front for your son. How is he coping? Are you able to talk with him about what is going on?
Hi Good Enough Mum, welcome from me! I don't think we have spoken yet! I love your user name and I love your positive outlook of life, it sounds as though you have overcome many barriers that you have faced when becoming a single parent and I think you will be a valuable member of the boards. 
Hi Anna and thank you for your welcome.
hi from me too.
Hi jonnime
We have a new Ask the Expert on board, Housing advice is offered by Shelter, you can get confidential email support if you have a question about your housing situation.
How are you today?
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments. lovely Sorry I seem to have been rude cos I haven't got back to you before now. I'm finding being a single mum and working full-time is not leaving me a lot of time for catching up with other things AND have a social life (or should I say what social life?!). My son is back at school and trying to persuade a 13 yr old that its fun is almost impossible! I'm starting to kick myself into being positive and doing things that don't necessarily cost a lot of money (as I'm flat broke til we get the house sold) but are sociable and fun.
By the way I'm M, but most of my mates call me J (my nickname from my maiden name which I prefer - my nickname that is not my maiden name! 
Hi jonnime
Being a single mum and working full time IS hard work and full on, you are so close to a social life, your son is getting older and in the next couple of years, you will feel happy to leave him in the house for a few hours in the evening and have a bit of 'you' time.
My daughter is now 16 going on 17 and its only in this last year has my life changed quite a lot, I feel freeer, probably because she is taking control of her own life more and often out at friends etc, so I get the house to myself - yeehah! AND have started to do some after work activities. So jonnime it does come, just hold it down for a couple more years!
I am glad that you are trying really hard to be positive, this is our one and only life, it is great when we can wake up and feel good about it!
What are some of the activities you have started doing?
Hi Jonnime,
I'm new on here too and just wanted to say hello.
I can totally empathise with your situation at the moment. This time 10 years ago I was in exactly the same situation - I had recently separated; I was selling the house because I couldn't afford the mortgage on my own; I was trying to hold down a job; and my children were very young at the time. It was a very traumatic time. I also lost so-called "friends" who were not interested in me because I was no longer part of a couple. It really hurt.
Ten years down the line, and things DO get easier. My children are now teenagers and I am very proud of them because I have brought them up on my own since they were very young.
I know it's easier said than done, but try to stay positive and take one day at a time.