Ink ow how hard. Wry thing is and solely taking on the responsibility. My ex left when our only and first child was 6 months old. I had went back to work after having her per diem and had to switch to full time nights again( also taking care of others). Ex watched her on the nights I worked and I cared for her full time otherwise. Grabbing naps before a 13 hour night shift and driving 45 min to work. It was not easy. I eventually got daycare for her 2 days a week so I could sleep in between shifts.

It's a lot of responsibility and extremely overwhelming. I did 4 years of changing jobs until I finally landed on that worked and then I got laid off after 9months, but was fortunate to find a family friendly well paying position a year ago. It did take time, but I did figure it out, and I did make it. My daughter turned 8 today and when I look back I am sometimes amazed at all we made it through. And we are very happy and thriving. I eventually managed to fit consistent exercise in my schedule, a very good social life and I start school tomorrow going for my BSN.

I never thought I'd get from the scared 28 year old with a new baby to where I am today. I cried and cried and cried for a while. I was angry and bitter and full of self pity. I was very hard on myself too.

Now daughter sees her dad every other weekend and one night a week. I get a sitter when I need, and she has sleep overs at my best friends house. Wwe trade off kids and help each other out. I always had a hard time asking for help, but I ask and take help now and always pay back .

Your kids are a little older, at an age where they can even babysit, so if they are alone for a little I wouldn't be too hard on myself if you ran out handled what you needed. I can't wait until my daughter is a little older and I can run to the grocery store!

I also thought my daughter ran out of the house on a vacation. I didn't know my dad was walking the dog and they said she could go out with them. I freaked, scoured the area and yelled at her when she came back, and it wasn't even her fault. Then I apologized and hugged her to death. It's being a parent single or otherwise.

Go easy on yourself, please. I know you are in the thick of it, but you will come out the other side. I can promise it, even though it's hard to see now.

Sit down, figure out a plan, look for local resources to help you. You can do this. It will be ok