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 25th interviewee is 28-year-old Nicky Booth, a full time volunteer for Single Parents Support Ltd from Hampshire who has a 3-year-old daughter. How old were your children when you became a single parent, and how did this come about? My daughter was just 1 when I became a single parent as her dad and I went our separate ways. What things have you found hardest as a single parent? Juggling all the day to day things, money, housework, jobs, parenting etc, it’s hard work but worth it. Its hard to be positive sometimes when people are always telling you how to do this, you should be doing that, the terrible stigma that comes with being a single parent, but we are all doing a fantastic job for our children and should be very proud! Nicky Booth What are the benefits to parenting alone, in your opinion? I do like that all the parenting decisions are down to me, I don’t have to fight with anyone, compromise on important issues etc, I feel my daughter and I will have a closer bond because it is just me and her. 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? There is an awful lot of negative stigma around being a single parent. The main issues are that we are portrayed in the media as ‘benefit scroungers’. I did not wake up one day and think you know what, I think I will become a single parent and rely on benefits. My daughter was planned and wanted, unfortunately when the relationship broke down I had to go on benefits to start with so I could provide for her and sort out my finances and juggling childcare costs and working etc. Also single mums seems to be portrayed far worse off and single dads seem to be heroes, this is not the case – ALL single parents are heroes in my eyes and all we ever do is try to make the best life for us and our children. It makes me very sad and makes me question myself when all this negative stuff is all over the TV and social media but I spend a lot of time trying to make people see a positive to their situations and how well we are doing, all single mums and dads. What sort of relationship do you have with your ex, and how easy/difficult is it to maintain for your child? I have no relationship with him at all. He doesn’t see my daughter but I am awaiting the day she begins to ask questions and will answer them as honestly as I can. Does he pay maintenance? If so, how did you come to an agreement on the amount? He does, but not voluntarily and goes through all the loopholes there are in the CSA/CMS system to pay as little as he can and when he feels like paying, there is no set date or anything at the moment, he builds up arrears and pays a little bit off here and there. What’s your job, and how many hours do you work per week? I work full time for single parents support limited but this is a not for profit and all my time is given voluntarily. I have a few side jobs that I do to keep the money coming in but want single parents support to be my main job one day. Who looks after your child when you’re working? How do you feel about the current childcare arrangements? I work all my jobs around my daughter so on some she comes with me and others I do whilst she is in nursery. Childcare is far too expensive at the moment, but once my daughter starts school it will make life a little easier on the working front. How old was your child when you first went back to work? How easy was it to adjust back into work? Well I started SPSG in 2012 so my daughter was 1, I worked this around her nap times, at night, and then she started nursery to could do it more, then I started working part time as a cleaner at her nursery so I can do this with her there, and then my nail business I do when she is in nursery or again in the evenings once she is bed, I am still training in this position as well. Have you ever felt guilt by working? If so, why? I do feel guilty that sometimes I cant give her my full attention all the time but I do like knowing she sees that mummy works and gets paid and then she can have nice things, I’m showing her a work ethic. What’s your view on Child /Working Tax Credits, and the cost of childcare? Childcare is too expensive and there should be more help for parents who are working under 16 hours. What is your work/home/social life like? Have you managed to find a good balance? If so, how? Ummm this one I don’t really have a social life, but have a very good circle of friends online who do meet up every now and then. Otherwise its home, work and home again for me at the moment. Are you dating […]
The post Single Parent Spotlight: Nicky Booth first appeared on Single Parent Pessimist.
]]>