Any single mums here?

I need a hug. I am having a hard time right now. I don't know if it's me and my depression/anxiety (doing better than I was a few months ago, but I'm still not quite me yet), the fact that I just started working full-time after years of working only half-time, my teenage daughter with recently diagnosed Asperger's, my ex-husband who is ok to deal with on the surface but still treats me like I am the secretary of the family - I do all the kids' appointments, talk to their teachers, you know the drill. And so much more.

But right now the thing on my back is guilt - guilt because I had a major meltdown with my kids earlier tonight. The straw that broke the camel's back was my son realizing he'd forgotten his backpack with homework in it at his dad's. At 9;30 on a Sunday night. After an exhausting weekend where I feel like I am already way behind. And my daughter going on about how much she loves her online friends, just after going out to a dinner with REAL friends where I had to literally pull her iphone away from her so that she would engage with people at the table. SO frustrating!

So after all that i just railed and cried and cried. I think I scared them. I am not proud of myself and I apologized profusely, told them I love them no matter what.

I feel like a heel. I am not new to this- I've been separated for almost 5 years but only have been working part time up until two weeks ago...and now life is very different. I am just so so tired and I dont want to fail my kids.

You don't have to be perfect to raise healthy kids. My son was a terror from age fourteen to eighteen. Sometimes I just had to get away from him to calm myself.

((((chromegirl))))

It's exhausting being a parent, never mind, a single one and then add your new job hours, it's ok to cut yourself some slack and be gentle on yourself.

I don't see, showing vulnerabilities to children as failing them, it's more showing them your realness as a human being. Instead of the pedestal, wind up seen as a real woman, with real struggles, real emotions. They'll learn compassion and empathy.