It's tough being a single parent and at times I wish their father was around, but then when he does decide to pop back into our lives I am alot more stressed out and snappy.
Having him around is like having another child and honestly dealing with a 16month old and 5 n half month old together is alot easier and less stressful than dealing with him.
Whilst we all want the happy family for our children sometimes it doesn't happen that way, and it still saddens me at times to think about it and to think about having to answer all sorts of questions I will be faced with when they are old enough and start asking where daddy is.
My ex really is a loser and it's taken me a long time to realise this, I hate to talk nasty about him and will never do so infront of our children. Someone who can take money from their kids, not defend their kids when their new partner is threatening to kill them etc is not worthy of my time or the childrens (not that he even bothers to see how they are - they are a novelty toy to him, when he is bored and noone else will listen to him or give him money then we hear from him otherwise nothing)
So in answer to the question - yes I am happier being single, well away from him anyway.
I'm in no rush to be in a relationship and really get tired of people telling me I need to move on and find someone new, I have two beautiful children to spend my time with and when the time is right it (new relationship) will happen. I have let go of the ex, moving on will happen in its own time.