https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 10:55:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095897 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:37:01 +0000 Penny Lane 1095897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>single mama. I'm the oldest of 4. I was 9 when my dad finally actually moved out (after not really being around for at least 2 years before that). my youngest brother is 6 years younger than me. my dad didn't want anything I do with us for years afterwards. he paid child support, but we never heard from him or even knew where he was. he decided he didn't want the responsibility of being a father anymore</p> <p>he is in our lives more now, when I was in high school he turned back up (through phone calls) and wanted to be in our lives again. </p> <p>he has had girlfriends on and off (ironically enough, some with young kids of their own!!) but my mama has been single ever since. I literally don't know how she did it. she had no degree when they divorced, so while we were all in school she went back to school and got herself a degree and a job. amazing</p> <p>DH grew up with both parents and they're both still together. he has no close family members who have been through divorce! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095871 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:24:08 +0000 Kimberlybee 1095871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: That's such an amazing but tragic love story! :sad: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095814 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:58:46 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1095814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents divorced when I was a year old. They both remarried quickly so each home had two parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095798 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:51:41 +0000 BananaPancakes 1095798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My father passed away when I was 5, but my parents had already been divorced for around 2 years before that. My mom was single for a number of years, then remarried when I was 7ish. That step dad hated me and the marriage lasted less than 2 years because he cheated. So she was single again for a few years and remarried my current step father when I was in 6th grade.<br /> So there were quite a few years where she was a single mother and I remember them. She worked 6 days a week and we never saw her except on her day off. I know she still hates to think about it and it was a really difficult time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095768 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:36:02 +0000 yoursilverlining 1095768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents have been married for 41 years and both were 100% involved in my (and my brother's) childhood/lives. </p> <p>I'm really thankful that my parents always modeled a very healthy marriage for us - a totally and completely involved father, healthy/equal division of household labor, respect for your partner at all times (even when you're pissed at them!), etc. </p> <p>My husband's parents were married until he was in high school, and each remarried within a year of their divorce and have each been married for 25+ years (my MIL is now a widow). They should have separated and divorced before then - there was no drama or abuse, they got married (and pregnant) very young and simply grew apart as they became their own persons. They stayed together to "do the right thing" and consequently modeled a very poor version of marriage for my husband. It was a 100% respectful marriage, but they were not involved in each other's lives, and lived almost separately under the same roof. Having that version of "happy marriage" was something my husband had to really work on himself about, as it isn't a healthy model at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095763 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:34:40 +0000 yellowbird 1095763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom and dad divorced when I was pretty young. I lived with my mom for a while before deciding to go stay with my dad because I wasnt getting the care and attention I needed. I saw my dad daily when I lived with my mom. When I moved in with my dad my mom went on a downward spiral and I stopped all contact until I was 21. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095749 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:28:20 +0000 Beebug 1095749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still don't even know how to answer the poll, lol.</p> <p>My Mom had me at 18, didn't have a relationship with my bio-dad. Married (and then divorced) my first step father when I was 7 (lasted year and a half). Re-married when I was 17 to another step-father, so a pretty solid (and imo very important) amount single parented, and the time with those men it wasn't always a great "parent" situation!</p> <p>DHs (entire) family is very opposite, they are all very together. I have step-grandparents, a divorced great-grandmother, MIL said to DH that "it's all she knows, so watch out" last Fall. So nice of her..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095743 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:24:29 +0000 PurplePeony 1095743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents are still married. There were a couple times when I was growing up (many years apart) that they considered separating but they worked things out both times. I think now that my brother and I are both adults and making our own way, most of their sources of conflict no longer exist and they're probably happier now than they were when I was a kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095699 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:53:00 +0000 BKCaribBaby 1095699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was raised by a single mother. I know my dad, but we are not close and he was not around when I was growing up. I think that was partially due to the fact that we lived in different countries. At the same time, he is a bit self-centered and not really the best person to be a parent, I think. I think he could have been more involved but he wasn't. </p> <p>@runsyellowlites: Thanks for asking this. I often feel a little weird on HB as many of the discussion questions presume that we all grew up with two parents. That wasn't the case for me, and many other people I know whether they were raised by a single parent due to divorce, lack of relationship/marriage, one parent died, etc.</p> <p>DH's parents have been married for over 40 years. I think at times they look down on me because of my dad. They have a lot of respect for my mother though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095694 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:47:15 +0000 lilteacherbee 1095694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both my parents and DH's parents are still married. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095692 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:42:11 +0000 bookwormmama 1095692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in a single parent home (with very little contact from my father) for several years (maybe 4 or 5?) before my mom married my step-dad. He has been my dad for the past 18 or so years. My biological father comes and goes in my life...the most contact I have with him now is through Facebook.</p> <p>My DH's parents are still together. There was a period where they separated. I think they've been married like 35 years or something like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095687 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:36:41 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1095687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: That story gave me chills! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095684 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:35:35 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1095684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents divorced when I was 3. In the beginning my mom had custody but we still saw my father...as we got older, the custody became joint. We went back and forth--every two months and every other weekend we switched. Complete madness if I think about it now. I guess it worked though? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095683 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:33:51 +0000 artsyfartsy 1095683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: that's what I thought. Sounds like something right out of a Nicholas sparks novel!</p> <p>Sorry to thread jack and make everybody sad. Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095682 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:33:48 +0000 mrsjazz 1095682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Wow. Such a sad story. It was nice that his parents reconciled and remarried before she died...I feel so sad for your FIL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095681 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:33:32 +0000 jhd 1095681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of our parents are still very happily married. We are so very thankful! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095673 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:31:11 +0000 artsyfartsy 1095673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: It is very sad. :(<br /> I feel bad for FIL. It's been 4 years and he still hasn't gotten over it. They found out she was sick and 3 weeks later she passed. It was a shock to everyone.<br /> I never got to meet her. Really sad T will never know his other grandma. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095671 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:30:51 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1095671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: that's such an incredible, but tragic story!! It's Nicholas Sparks book worthy...</p> <p>Like @MsMamaBear: , I grew up with both parents until my dad died when I was 16. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095668 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:28:37 +0000 runsyellowlites 1095668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Oh my gosh, what a sad story! I went from awwww to oh no! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095659 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:24:31 +0000 MsMamaBear 1095659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up with both parents in the home until my dad died when I was 22. It's different from my current family as a single mom. REALLY different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095656 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:22:01 +0000 artsyfartsy 1095656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents divorced when I was 5. I spent time with both my single father and single mother, but they both remarried quickly. I always considered my stepparents as parents, so I choose other. I don't remember times when it was JUST mom or JUST dad.</p> <p>DH was somewhat similar, but his dad never remarried and his mom did. He had a wonderful stepfather who even now treats DH like his own, but he cheated on DH's mom so they divorced. A few years later his mom and dad actually realized they still loved each other and remarried (17 years later!!!).<br /> Unfortunately DH's mom died 4 months later from an aneurysm. His dad doesn't want to remarry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095655 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:21:26 +0000 MrsTiz 1095655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents are still married, so I grew up with both parents. DH had/has the same </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095637 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:12:29 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1095637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both parents, entire childhood. My parents split up when I was in college and didn't really notice because I attended an out of state school. My sibling has a dif experience because he is so much younger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095627 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:08:26 +0000 GrapeCrush 1095627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up with a single mom. My parents separated when I was 3...I had 2 younger brothers as well. My dad was in our lives though. I give my mom so much credit for having 3 under 3 and doing it all on her own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095607 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:59:15 +0000 Running Elley 1095607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, my parents are still together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095601 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:56:22 +0000 Lindsay05 1095601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents split when I was 3. My mom left but I usually saw her every second weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095596 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:53:52 +0000 MediaNaranja 1095596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents are still happily married. When my mom was around 50 she got a mustang convertible, and joked that it was either that or divorce my dad--the car was cheaper, lol. That was the only time I've ever heard them talk about that, and it was a joke! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095588 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:50:49 +0000 mrsjazz 1095588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: Sometimes I wonder how she did it and stayed sane. And she was a teen mom, marriage and a baby at 17. Because there was a 8 year gap between my younger siblings and I, my sister and I were my mom's little helpers, which was cute in the beginning, but not when I was a teenager and wanted to have a life. But I had to be home to watch the kids because my mom was working 2 jobs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095584 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:49:21 +0000 mrsmate 1095584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents are still married but I wish they'd just get divorced already. They immigrated to this country in their 30s with 2 young kids, so I understand them sticking it out bc they may not have made it separately. But now they're just unhappy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-grow-up-in-a-single-parent-home#post-1095583 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:47:28 +0000 runsyellowlites 1095583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: Wow! I couldn't imagine staying on my own through these years with G, and now P! I'm always amazed at seeing how capable we are as women/mothers when we have to be though!</p> <p>@MrsStar: I have a feeling this will be the result with G &amp; his bio dad. Our agreement is $200/mth for cs &amp; the only time I see anything is when it's intercepted... last payment was over a year ago when his acct was frozen. He no longer has one &amp; doesn't file taxes (since he rarely works.....) womp womp. </p>