I share an honest and intimate conversation with a group of single Moms who made the decision to leave a partnership or marriage that was no longer making them happy. It is never an easy decision to make, and it still has its many challenges even when it comes with the privilege of financial support or custody of the children. No-one enters a committed relationship and has children with the intention of leaving. So many women fear the consequences of leaving or literally have no choice. So I hope that sharing a few stories of my own and others, can help shine a light on some of the rewards and challenges involved in Breaking Free when a marriage is no longer working.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Lucia raised her son on her own even though she was in a partnership for seventeen years before deciding to separate a few years ago and now shares custody (2:38)
- Dana divorced during the Covid epidemic after having time alone with her daughters to reflect on her seven year marriage (5:38)
- Lily explains how she felt like a single mother with an absent husband most of the time, even though he was an engaged father when he was present for short periods (9:50)
- Are there more fingers pointed at whoever chooses to leave the marriage? (18:50)
- Feelings of guilt (21:27)
- Choosing to stay in a marriage and deciding to separate emotionally and living a new dynamic instead (23:15)
- When staying in a marriage feels unhealthy and not an option or good example for the kids to see (26:18)
- Lucia is able to discover who she truly is now that she no longer lives with emotional abuse (29:15)
- How mothers not working in order to raise the kids and run the household, is rarely considered as an equal contribution to husbands earning an income (31:00)
- Judgement from others who assume things about a couple from what they see (33:50)
- What message are we sending our children when we stay in an unhappy marriage? (35:00)
- The vunerability that comes with being free and single again after years of emotional neglect (39:00)
- The challenges of living a single life within a marriage (41:20)
- The challenge of finding the balance of raising the children together apart (47:00)\
- The fear of being replaced by a step-mom (49:00)
- If roles were reversed and Moms had a new partner or marriage, there would be a risk of losing the kids (52:00)
- How the loneliness of being in an unhappy marriage or feeling isolated in the family can be harder than the loneliness of being single (53:30)
- The possible burden children may feel, thinking it is their responsibility to look after their single or unhappy parent (57:05)
Let’s connect !
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