Monday, September 15, 2008

To My Fellow Single Mothers

(particularly those dealing with deadbeat and/or loser exes)

You'll have to forgive me if I get behind on reading blogs again, but I had to stop because I realized, after reading some of my single mom friends that are struggling right now with handling the kids, that most of you don't know much about my own trials and tribs with the girls since I left my ex 5 years ago. I know I've said more than once, "it will get better." That's because I've lived it. (This will be a multiple-part series.)

I previously wrote this post - but that was before I had very many readers! Not to mention, it doesn't deal with many of the matters of the heart.

We first moved here from Rochester with pretty much nothing. I had no job, no car, and the last check my ex gave me bounced and closed out my checking account. We lived with my parents at first so I could get a semblance of a life together.

My parents helped me find day cares for the girls (as it was summer - I'd waited to leave until after Sylvia completed kindergarten). They would turn 3 and 6 in the fall. I applied for food stamps, but stopped short before I would accept cash, knowing that I would have to accept any job offer that came along, instead of the one that would give me the salary I needed to do this on my own. I felt like a complete and utter, miserable failure. And very, very scared.

Sylvia was a mess. Just a total mess. She missed her father terribly (she knew and loved him as the fun one; not around a lot, but when he was, always willing to play games - not much into discipline), and blamed me for moving away from him. Riley was more watchful, uncertain of what was going on, and for the most part, she clung to me.

My parents knew I was miserable, but I couldn't really talk to them about it. I had this idea that I needed to do as much as possible by myself, that I was already depending on them for too much. My sister helped me more with the emotional aspect, as well as K.

Still, there were many nights where I just cried myself to sleep - after staying awake for too long, trying to make sense of it all. Or trying to block it out. Or surfing online for a job.

As with most other times when I had been out of work and looking, I signed up for a temp agency. After two other assignments at the company, my last was an open-ended one that led to a permanent position in my current department.

Thankfully, there was another single mother there. As we got closer, we learned how much of the "ex" story we both shared. Another colleague thrives on being a maternal figure, and nurtured me. Together, they helped me find our first apartment. The entire department, along with other friends in the wing, helped me furnish the place by giving me cast-offs, buying me grocery cards, and making our family the one they acted as Secret Santa for that year.

The job and that first apartment were the beginning for me. That sense of accomplishment and independence were vital to me feeling like I could do this.

But I'd also learned something that is still hard for me, yet makes all the difference. I'd learned to ask for and accept help.

I'd learned that we single moms do it alone enough; when someone else can help, we should gracefully accept it. They're happy to do it, and we (mothers and children) are better off for it.

In reading this, it's not much about the girls, but to tell you the truth, those first few months are a blur - and they were then, too. I was just a bundle of nerves, of fear and anger and sadness. It was all about just getting from one minute to the next without losing it completely. I'd say I succeeded 3 out of 4 times.

15 comments:

MarĂ­a said...

*inspired*

Laski said...

I am so, so glad that you posted this . . .

You ARE amazing . . .

Shiona said...

Thanks so much for this. I know it gets better but day after day it's a little hard to see right now. :)

Loth said...

Lovely thoughtful post. It seems to be a universal truth that women are just no good at asking for or even accepting help, and yet when we finally do, we cannot believe how nice (most) people are!

Suzie said...

I am so impressed by what a strong woman you are. Two children overlwelm me and the idea of doing it by myself sound so frightening. You are so impressive asking for help can be the hardest thing. And getting yourself back on your feet is amazing. i hope you are very proud of yourself you should be.

Jen said...

What a great post, April. As usual, there you are, sharing your huge heart.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for writing this. I had a nightmare last night about going to court. My ex didnt show up, but his girlfriend did and she was this hot shot lawyer to presented pictures of me table dancing and generally acting stupid and she look LB away from me.

Obviously I have a lot of anxiety about this, and its nice to know someone else survived.

Kori said...

Love you love you love you.

Anonymous said...

"But I'd also learned something that is still hard for me, yet makes all the difference. I'd learned to ask for and accept help. "

I think this is the first major hurdle any single parent needs to overcome. It hurts our pride, but that's all it is...pride. Once you learn to let that go and realize that accepting help does not mean you fail, you'll be a'ight.

Anonymous said...

Inspiring. Amazing.

Learning to ask for help continues to be the biggest challenge I face.

(And my house is still furnished with stuff out of friends' and family's basements and attics!)

Anonymous said...

The more I read, the more down to earth and balanced I understand you are (Geez, is that grammatically correct? I fear not!)Truly, your Blog's name is an excellent reflection of who you are and what you are all about. Well done!

OHmommy said...

So many single mothers need to hear this April. So many will be thankful and inspired.

Anonymous said...

So you had lots of help. Your parents to fall back on for a place to stay and to pay your bills while you got yourself together. You said they helped you find daycares, too. I assume you meant pay for them.

I'm happy for you. This is a super success story that nobody must be prouder of than you.

But everybody doesn't get the happy ending that you did because some of us have nobody to help us in the beginning. So we don't get very far. Eh.

Senobia

Anonymous said...

So you had lots of help. Your parents to fall back on for a place to stay and to pay your bills while you got yourself together. You said they helped you find daycares, too. I assume you meant pay for them.

I'm happy for you. This is a super success story that nobody must be prouder of than you.

But everybody doesn't get the happy ending that you did because some of us have nobody to help us in the beginning. So we don't get very far. Eh.

Senobia

bernthis said...

You are soooo right. It's been close to five years for me and if someone is willing to help, I will surely take it.

Love your blog. thanks for coming to mine. Single moms unite!