"Somewhat" New to Single Parenting...and then it gets thicker

[mommaaba]

I have come here hoping to find other moms in similar situations because I am terribly sick and tired of feeling alone (in more ways that one)
My husband left us a year ago after 10 1/2 years of marriage (me along with my three children who are now 11, 7, and 4). He is practically non-existent in their lives with the exception of a phone call here and there and maybe a few hours visit once a month or so.
Things just got a bit deeper as I now find myself to be pregnant from another man who does not want to claim the child or for anyone to even know he is the father. Evidentally the very next day after our ONE night (yes - just once but at the "right" time) he hooked back up with his girlfriend...
Financially it is greatly difficult because I can't get the state to get our child support order in the system and I only work odd jobs here and there. I made the decision to try very hard to stay home with my babies as much as possible so that I could continue to homeschool them.
But that is not the worst of it. That just happens to add so much more stress to how I am already feeling. Some days it is just plain HARD to be the ONLY one here handling everything.
I try so hard to stay positive, for my children more than for me. But sometimes I just want to throw my hands up and say, "I CAN'T DO THIS BY MYSELF!!!!"
I want to be excited and happy about this baby, especially since I lost a baby at four months along just before my husband left, but I am so exhausted already!
...and to be honest I am so tired of being alone...
Thank you for letting me vent just that little bit. This is all just a minute fraction of all that I am feeling inside.
peace

[rambunctiouscurls]

I don't have any advice but I just wanted to send you a virtual

[mommaaba]

Thank you! I really needed that today.

[PoppyMama]

That is so much on your plate. I hope you can search out some sort of a support system. I use to volunteer with my older child when she was little and it was nice just to know that someone, besides my kids and family, knew I existed. Take care of yourself and try to just be in the moment.

[JunipersMom]

Poor momma ~ it is SOO hard to be a single parent..

Just be honest with your kids - its hard, but you're doing your best. They'll learn how to handle life by watching you. It's hard, we make mistakes, but we apologize when appropriate and we do our best to do our best Remember to take the time to pass love onto your new baby (congratulations on expecting momma)

[MissLotus]

It's hard to feel so overwhelmed -

Do you have a lawyer/legal counsel to help wrangle child support out of your kids' father? It's bad enough he doesn't want to be a regular part of their lives, but he does have the responsibility to provide for them. AND, the father of your soon-to-be baby may not want to be recognized as the father, but that certainly does not mean you have to honor his coldhearted wish. At the very least, you can file for child support from him. True, you will be the only parent at home (though in my case I find that infinitely more peaceful, and a positive thing!) but financially you should not have to shoulder everything by yourself.