In short, after long discussions where we'd agreed he'd do anything to prevent it, DH has just agreed to work o/seas for several months later this year . As much as I like to think of myself as an independent, free spirited, capable woman, the truth is I really rely on him at home, and especially appreciate being able to hand the baby over in the evenings/weekend for some 'me' time. When he's away I always feel stretched too thin, like I'm a really crummy single parent. We are far from family too and sadly discovered last year that I have a collection of fair-weather friends, so no support there.

I'd just really like to know from all of you brilliant single mums how you hold it all together...how do you balance your needs against your kids so that you're really living, not just 'surviving' all the time? And how do you keep the loneliness at bay?