I just love hearing from readers of this blog. People who, like me, understand that life doesn’t have to be lived as some pre-packaged formula in following the rules many think they have to follow. Sometimes things stray from the plans you originally had in place but that’s not to mean you can’t turn the new circumstances you’ve found yourself in into something amazing.
Relationships and children shouldn’t have to come at the cost of your own self-development, forcing you to abandon all your previous passions before you were ‘mum’ or ‘wife’. You can still be you and along the way have one hell of an adventure!
Over to Georga, the latest recruit to the real life Lonely Hearts Travel Club, to share her inspiring story of raising her beautiful little girl in a way that some may see as unconventional but I think is preparing her to be an avid explorer:
I am 27 and I am a single mum. I think.
What exactly is the definition of a single mum? Well, I am single (although technically I am married and at the beginning stages of divorce) and I am a mum. I have a beautiful little daughter, Molly, who has just turned three and she is my absolute world.
My husband and I are good friends and have 50/50 split custody, which was hard at first because ‘his’ weekends with her would mean that I would go five whole days without seeing her. But now that I have got used to her temporary absence, I actually think it has made me a better mother.
Before we split up, I was constantly stressed and I would always find ways to ‘distract’ her so I could complete something on my list of life admin, whereas now, it is all about entertaining her.
She is my audience and she has a front-row seat. And vice versa. Technically, I suppose this would make me a ‘part time parent’ instead of a single mum. But the love and care that I have for her is certainly full time, and I shall be sure to spend my life making sure she knows that.
I decided to start a blog after a four-night break to Florida which resulted in a disgruntled family member telling me that I was a bad mother. She asked me what I was doing on holiday when I have a daughter at home who needed me.
This was very upsetting because I know I am not a bad mother. And even if I weren’t on a holiday (can you still call four nights a holiday?!) it was my husband’s weekend with her so it would not have made a difference to Molly where I was. This prompted me to investigate the norms surrounding the all-too-common ‘unconventional family’ set-up in modern society.
Molly’s happiness will always be the most important thing in my life but I am now in a position where I feel that I get a chance to follow ambitions that were previously somewhat unattainable whilst being a ‘full time’ parent.
I know that when I do not have my daughter she is having a fantastic time with her father. She is very happy. They have a wonderful bond and they are so in love with each other. But what am I supposed to do with all of this spare time? I will always be her mother but when I am not with her, does this mean that I should stay at home knitting and baking scones?
I have decided to spend this year taking little trips with a five night maximum stay (much to the horror of my disgruntled family member). Bearing in mind that half of my time will still be dedicated to having tea parties in Peppa Pigs house, dressing up as princesses and acting out scenes from Frozen, will my want for ‘adventure’ make me a bad mother?
I have always had a ‘you only live once’ attitude and love anything spontaneous and random; I have always found travel to be liberating, inspiring and educational and I now want to continue exploring the world.
This time, in my new found separated status I shall be a mother, and I can’t wait to take Molly on my little adventures and to show her parts of the world, too. We will be like Thelma and Louise, but with less crime and without Brad Pitt (unfortunately).
Regardless of whether my adventures are solo or with Molly, I know I am a good mummy and I love my daughter with all of my heart. That can never be diluted from a little independence.
- Georga Browne is the brains behind the Part Time Parent - definitely check her out!
Want to share your inspirational story and be part of the real-life Lonely Hearts Travel Club? Just fill in the form below and I’ll be in touch!
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