I had been fairly pleased with myself for managing to have one of each, a son and a daughter that is. Now I am not so sure. Boys and girls are very different despite both …

As I lay in bed the other night listening to the kids snoring – would be kind of sweet if it wasn’t through two closed doors, I was thinking about my kids and their bedrooms. …

Manners – why doesn’t the younger generation possess them anymore? I can’t honestly be the only one who thinks like this or maybe I am.
 When I was young it was installed into me on a …

There are moments in my single mum life I could wish myself away to another planet. You may be familiar with this feeling too. Like when the children don’t get on and I have to have more peace talks than the United Nations or when I not only singe tea but actually manage to cremate the last viable meal in the cupboards and we have to eat it. I sit

I don’t very often use the single mum card nor do I get wound up easily but last week I reached the end of my tether.

If your reading this form outside the UK let quickly explain our system here. Basically all your working life just under a third of your wages is taken from your wage packet before it is even paid to you. It’s paid direct to

I think the hardest part of being a single mum for me is Christmas. I can cope with most things that are thrown at me throughout the year and I am getting a dab hand at DIY. But Christmas is different. When I first separated from my children’s father we decided straight away not to get into the ‘take turns’ scenario over the Christmas period. We at least agreed that

On perusing my children’s Christmas present list today, it has struck me how things have changed. I could now harp on about when I was young I was lucky to get an orange in my stocking or how the size of the actual orange was a good indication of how good the present was going to be or not to be as more often the case. But I think my children

One of the main things about Christmas is the sense of magic that the children have. Their little faces lit up with the sheer excitement and belief that a 6ft fat bloke in a red suit does actually deliver their presents. It is also a god send to harassed parents as the old cliché line of being good

Believe in yourself and magic will happen – I think this can sum up the highs and lows of being a single mum. When you first start out its daunting to think you will be

I had a conversation the other day with my two children that I thought I would never have. It was about what my childhood was like. It was nothing ghoulish or outstanding, though from their reactions I could have been explaining I was a secret axe murderer. I never occurred to me I would have this conversation as I don’t consider myself that old despite racing towards 40 with my

This afternoon I spent four hours at an indoor soft play centre. How, you may be wondering, did I do this without wanting to drown myself in the ball pit? Easy.

You feel your marriage has hit an all time low but not sure if you want a divorce? 

Often after a divorce, people will look back and say they wished they had tried harder. Divorce isn’t an easy option and you should be really sure as possible before going down this route. It can be costly not just in money terms but emotionally too. If possible try couples counselling

Coping as a single mum is not easy. I admit its hard work and even I am often found wishing the world to stop spinning for a moment as I am sure this isn’t the life I ordered.

Telling the children about your intended separation or divorce is never going to be easy. You might not be able to choose when you tell them but if you are able to try and not tell them when something important is happening in their lives like exams. Ideally the pair of you will sit down with all the children and talk to them. Sadly this may not be the case

As we all know men can get quiet good at being liars. Maybe that is why there more male poker players then women. But if you can learn a bit about bluffing, then at least your one step ahead. Over at pinkpoker a poker site for women, they explore how people lie and what to look for. Failing that, learn to play

If your self confidence took a knock when your relationship ended or wasn’t particularly top notch before it can take awhile to get it back on an even keel. Here are eight stages that you can take on gradually, will stop the rot and provide a more balanced picture and help your recover.

 Stop putting yourself down- have a think about how you talk about yourself. Do you arrive