Single Parent Spotlight: Steph Bray
The aim of these interviews is to show how AMAZING us working single parents are.
I want to highlight how hard, but also how rewarding being a working single parent is, and to hear how other people in my position handle the tougher times, in the hopes I learn how to be the best parent I can be!
I’m sick of seeing the bad press single parents get in the media, because some single parents have taken the choice to live off benefits, or even worse, have children in order to get benefits. We all seem to get tarred with the same negative brush!
My eighteenth interviewee is 48-year-old Steph Bray, an accountant from Hampshire who has three children aged 21, 18 and 10.
How old were your
children when you became a single parent, and how did this come about?
children when you became a single parent, and how did this come about?
1,
9, 11 . Father became an alcoholic and died 7 years ago.
9, 11 . Father became an alcoholic and died 7 years ago.
What things have you
found hardest as a single parent?
found hardest as a single parent?
Having to be sensible and in control but
it’s getting easier as they get older. Worrying about what would happen to them
if I became ill.
it’s getting easier as they get older. Worrying about what would happen to them
if I became ill.
What are the benefits
to parenting alone, in your opinion?
to parenting alone, in your opinion?
I feel very proud of all they have
achieved and that I can take all the credit J
achieved and that I can take all the credit J
Have you faced any
negative judgements/stereotypes for being a single parent? If so can you share
with us what happened and how it made you feel?
negative judgements/stereotypes for being a single parent? If so can you share
with us what happened and how it made you feel?
Not really. It’s a bit
tricky at things like parents evening where they set out 2 seats and I still
get things addressed to “Mr and Mrs” after all these years.
tricky at things like parents evening where they set out 2 seats and I still
get things addressed to “Mr and Mrs” after all these years.
What sort of
relationship do you have with your ex, and how easy/difficult is it to maintain
for your children?
relationship do you have with your ex, and how easy/difficult is it to maintain
for your children?
None (deceased) but my ex mother in law does come and
stay for a couple of nights every month. This enables her to see her
grandchildren plus gives me a break.
stay for a couple of nights every month. This enables her to see her
grandchildren plus gives me a break.
 |
| Steph (left) and her 3 children |
How does your
children cope with contact? When we were separated but he was still alive
there was very little contact because of his condition.
children cope with contact? When we were separated but he was still alive
there was very little contact because of his condition.
.
What’s your job, and
how many hours do you work per week?
how many hours do you work per week?
I am a qualified Accountant and work
32 hours a week.
32 hours a week.
Who looks after your
children when you’re working? How do you feel about the current childcare
arrangements?
children when you’re working? How do you feel about the current childcare
arrangements?
My youngest goes to an afterschool club 3 days a week. I am
able to collect her on the other 2 days.
able to collect her on the other 2 days.
How old were your
children when you first went back to work? How easy was it to adjust back into
work?
children when you first went back to work? How easy was it to adjust back into
work?
I have always worked so they don’t know any difference.
Have you ever felt
guilt by working? If so, why?
guilt by working? If so, why?
I feel guilty if they are poorly and I send
them to school.
them to school.
What’s your view on
Child /Working Tax Credits, and the cost of childcare?
Child /Working Tax Credits, and the cost of childcare?
It’s not applicable
to me due to my earnings. I do feel strongly about the withdrawal of child
benefit for higher as it should be based on household income not per
individual. It seems unfair that a couple can earn a joint income of £100k and
still receive it.
to me due to my earnings. I do feel strongly about the withdrawal of child
benefit for higher as it should be based on household income not per
individual. It seems unfair that a couple can earn a joint income of £100k and
still receive it.
What is your
work/home/social life like? Have you managed to find a good balance? If so,
how?
work/home/social life like? Have you managed to find a good balance? If so,
how?
Not too bad. I go on lots of holidays. I work from home once or twice
a week which gives me more flexibility.
a week which gives me more flexibility.
Are you dating again?
If so, how long did it take before you were ready to date again?
If so, how long did it take before you were ready to date again?
I dated
almost immediately and almost got married again which would have been a big
mistake. I do date but have not had a “serious” relationship for 1 ½ years now.
almost immediately and almost got married again which would have been a big
mistake. I do date but have not had a “serious” relationship for 1 ½ years now.
What tips do you have
for other single parents wanting to meet someone?
for other single parents wanting to meet someone?
Try to do meet someone in
“real life” and not via the internet.
“real life” and not via the internet.
What would your top 3
tips be to a newbie single parent?
tips be to a newbie single parent?
Make sure you have “me time”, put your
children’s feelings first (even if it means being nice to your ex in front of
them), remember that your kids will grow up and appreciate everything you did
for them.
children’s feelings first (even if it means being nice to your ex in front of
them), remember that your kids will grow up and appreciate everything you did
for them.
If you want to be interviewed for the next Single Parent Spotlight, contact me on the tab at the top of the page!