It’s the start of the new academic year, and I’ve spent the
last couple weeks stocking up on pens and pencils. We’ve purchased the new uniforms, shoes and
bags, and I’ve tried to muster some enthusiasm from my three children. It happens every year to millions of families
across the world. Dragging unwilling
children from their beds on the first day of school would surely be much easier
if you had a tag team.
Imagine
the scene: Dad takes the first shift, opening the curtains and coaxing the
initial groan, and then mum slides in for
the second wave with the promise of cookie crisp in their favourite bowl. The third round involves both parents, one to
whip the duvet back and the other to physically extract the child from their
warm, cosy bed. Bringing back any
memories? But how does it differ if you’re a single parent? It doesn’t, we just have to multi-task!
The
prospect of being a single mum never crossed my mind as I drove away from my
abusive husband, leaving my home and life behind. We subsequently divorced, and he saw the children every other weekend if work permitted.
I
believed that, although our marriage had broken down, we could still co-parent
and be the supportive focus our children needed as they grew up. As it happens,
this rose-coloured ideal wilted faster than an ice-cream in a tropical climate.
