I chose to leave my son’s father who I’d been with for 5 years, as it was a destructive and negative environment, one which I couldn’t see improving, I borrowed some money and moved out, without any help from him. I began renting a house, increased the hours at my part time job and now I run my house, work part time and successfully look after my two-year-old son, who is a happy well-balanced child. This hard but worthwhile journey made me realise my hidden abilities and helped regain my sense of dignity.

When I became a single parent at 30, I lost my confidence and my self-esteem plummeted, leaving me feeling down trodden and old. It took a lot of time and positive energy to build myself this wonderful life I have now, which has in turn made me more determined not to enter into another relationship without getting to know someone first. I cherish and adore my son so his security and stability will ALWAYS come first. Although I know my happiness is important too, but I am happy and that’s the best thing about the whole situation.
I have now seen enough and done enough to know that I and other single parents like me are strong, resilient, bright and independent people who have their own lives & responsibilities, and deal with them selflessly, putting their children at the top of the list.

The fact that there are men out there who realise this is fabulous as well as refreshing. It dispels the myth that, single mothers are all needy and insecure or that we only want a man to play daddy to our children. These are stereotypical views and not always the case. We deserve to be recognised and respected for the decisions and lifestyles we have created for ourselves and our children. I think men should realise that we are an increasing statistic, and the bottom line is quite simple, we don’t NEED men these days, but we do WANT them, there is a big big difference.