Interview with another single mum

Every now and again you meet someone whose situation or experiences just blow you away. There make you realize that actually anything can be conquered. I had one of those experiences this week when i had an email from a fellow single mum. In true form i fired a multitude of questions to find
out more about her. So next time you wonder if you can do this single mum lark, remember this lady who does it with gusto, has become a successful entrepreneur and to top it all off she is blind.

How long have you been a single mum?

I’ve been a single mum since June 2005.  I was unhappily married and was tired of being the little wife and Madi’s mum.  I wanted more than that and wanted to be seen as more than that so after seeing one of my mail friends take more of an interest in my own daughter than her father, I upped and left.  He was also crap with money and I was tired of being in debt.  How I thought that ending my marriage would solve that problem is anyone’s guess but it hasn’t but it’s my own debt and under my control.

How many children do you have?
I have one beautiful daughter but would love more.  I just don’t want the fella that comes with it…Well I do but finding the right type of fella is a hard one especially when you use online services and you think you might have found someone potentially interesting then you tell them you’re blind and all of a sudden….Bam they’re running for the hills.  I keep considering adopting or fostering too but it has its advantages and disadvantages so we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.

You mention you are blind, how sever and how long have you been blind?
I have been blind since birth and have about as much sight to get me in or out of trouble depending on the circumstances.

Being a mum is hard word, being a single mum is harder so how on earth do you manage?
I guess I manage like any mum.  My daughter is a clever little girl and her reading is better than most adults I know which come in really useful when you want to make sure you serve beans rather than rice pudding.  My house is never as neat as a pin and it drives my mother absolutely crazy but that’s how I live.  I have to have a very good memory and systems for organizing tins into categories etc.  I have some support from people I know and trust that come and help me with reading a corresponding to post etc but to be honest being a single mum definitely has its advantages.  There’s no playing me off against dad when it comes to implementing rules etc.  I get all the cuddles and mad Madi and I are exceptionally close.  Of course it means that if I want to go somewhere everything has to be organized with military
precision which is sometimes hard work but I never have to worry about money not coming in as I fit my work around her which is exactly how I want it.

Have you come across any discrimination to single mums in your everyday life?
I can’t say I have really except for my local sports centre which is supposed to be family-oriented, does not have a crèche so it makes getting to the gym a bit of a challenge.

You mention you’re an entrepreneur, tell us more.

I am an entrepreneur and I feel very passionate about what I do.  I am an authorized Distributor with the Utility Warehouse.  I help people save money on their bills and help those who wish to make an income recommending the services to others.  It’s a wonderful business to be in as it not only fits around my daughter but is truly a residual income opportunity.  Unlike people in conventional business, if they don’t work they don’t get paid.  I do….every time my customers pay their bills.  It’s very people oriented
and I love seeing what it can do for others and the dreams it can fulfill. There are so many wonderful people in this business and when I’m around that sort of successful person I’m at my happiest.  I also love the fact that when I shop at Argos, boots etc, I’m reducing my utility bill which always makes me feel less guilty about buying stuff.

If you would like to know more about her experiences then you can read more at www.kerrypainter.co.uk

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