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This mum doesn’t think single parent deserve a night off.

Paula Winchester, from Staffordshire – who separated from the father of her four-year-old daughter, Leah, before her birth – has hit out at other single mums who go out drinking at weekends, The Mirror reports.

The 30-year-old says she hasn’t been on a night out for more than two years and has slammed the ‘disgraceful, half-hearted parenting ‘ of mums who go out every weekend.

When Leah is with her dad, Paula says she doesn’t use it as an opportunity to drink as she ‘couldn’t be hungover’ while looking after her the next day.

“When parents are hungover, it’s self-inflicted and they lie on the sofa, putting DVD after DVD on, not cooking properly. It’s half-hearted parenting and I think it’s disgraceful.

“Everyone has different views on parenting but I really don’t think single parents do deserve a night off.

The mum-of-one argues that young parents have made the decision to give up much of their freedom to have a child.

“Once you’ve made that choice, your whole life should revolve around your child,” she says.

Paula adds “I think when parents do drink a lot, it has a real impact on children. It’s not good for their behaviour as they need a routine.

“Children need regular bedtimes, set meals and to know what their boundaries are. But when people are hungover they let their children do what they want.

“Their discipline isn’t as strong and it makes children confused. It’s irresponsible.”

Do you agree or totally detest what she is claiming?
Share your comments below.

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  • In some ways I see where she is coming from and in others I cant agree.
    I think its a personal choice.
    My personal choice when i had children was to no longer drink. I did always have that concern that if something happened and one of my kids was sick and I needed to call an ambulance or get them to the hospital then how bad would it be if I had consumed too my booze. I didnt want to deal with that so I gave up drinking.
    I didnt have anyone to look after my kids because I had no family here at all so i never went out at night without them.
    These were my choices and its how I decided to care for my kids. I did not expect others to follow my lead and I did not look down my nose or judge others that sisnt do the same thing. We all handle things differently and thats ok.

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  • I think all parents (especially Mum’s) deserve a break. But everyone still needs to be responsible for their behaviour and ensuring that they are capable of being a coherent and responsible parent to their child in any moment of time.

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  • think all mums deserve a break especially single mums as theyhave no one else there to help!.. not saying to go for night on grog but to have adult break does it have to be at night? One day at cild care or if you do have family which found today lot of single mums do not. Then dress up and go for lunch with the girls feel special and tie to talk without interupption. Another idea is Mums get together with kids at beach or safe place to all just have time out kids love company of own age too and mums can have a yarn. We all need time just to be ourself child rearing is long and hard work so a good break is important to be an adult again for a while in your best outfit and no food or finger stains on it… A mature Mum who has been there and done that and night out with girls but I had hubby or gran to mind kids. Even to go shopping with friends and no kids is an outing.

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  • I think everyone deserves a break and a night out every now and then, but yes I also agree , I see all these young single mothers posting on facebook out with friends every weekend and partying away. Or posting that the kids are driving them mad who wants to go out.
    They have these poor babies , most of them only want the money that goes with it, but are not accepting the responsibility that goes with it. It is really sad and I wonder where all these poor children are going to end up.

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  • Paula, I believe you are jealous and insecure. Might be worthwhile talking to someone.

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  • Paula sweetheart, you have been a parent for 4 years, and back when I was a new parent like you I felt the same way, but now 21 years later and going through the schooling again with a 5 year old with Autism, don’t tell me that I should not have a night off, I am bloody exhausted so I would scurry back home and keep my mouth shut if I were you because when you have been a parent for over 20 years then you can judge.

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  • I agree but not to the full of extent, every parent needs a night off but not to go out and get drunk with their friends. A night out to the movies or dinner is well deserving for single parents.

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  • I think a once and a while not getting drunk ..is ok you need to to relax as parenting can be stressful. Once i month probably. Just to catch up with friends and have an adult conversation is important. For both child and parent. But because you have a child doesn’t mean u have to give up ur own life. once a month i go out for dinner or to the movies . I dont drink never have . But a person should no there limits especially when they have kids.. getting shitfaced every Saturday night is not good. But i don’t think a single person be able to anyway. Who be looking after the kid or kids.

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  • This shouldn’t be focussed on single parents but rather excessive drinking. Parents, regardless if single or partnered need time out occasionally to be better parents, it doesn’t mean they go out drinking, righting themselves off.

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  • i know plenty of mums and dads for that matter whether single or partnered who go out and drink but that doesn’t make them bad parents – i think that the parents she needs to be concerned about are the ones who drink excessively in front of their children or who use drugs in front of their kids. Its very easy for all of us to condemn others – its all about what works for each family

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  • I think all parents need a break from time to time, not necessary to go on a binge drinking weekend, but to recharge and reconnect, which then benefits the parent/s and children, happy parents happy kids

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  • Sounds more like she is having a go at people getting drunk

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  • Think single ums do need a night of not to get drunk as agree a hung-over Mum is not an effective mum,. However I have a friend who is single mum ,two children nearly 3 years old and 6 year old.She is studying on linefor uni,is a brilliant Mum and older girl is in dancing and Tai Kwon Doe, swimming lessons too. She also volunteers at church group once a week teaching art to isolated adults. Kids go there to play group once a week. So she defintly deserves time out. Father can only cope with one child at a time to mind. Or goes to her place (makes mess) when she goes to art group for survivors of child abuse. She in my book deserves a break now and again. For her 40th birthday during day she and I went to Buddist temple for lunch and to scetch, i was honoured she anted to do it with me but olf enough I am to be her mum, so she needs time with friends her own age. I was mrried when my kids were little and I had time out to go wiht girl friends for night out as my husband or Mother in law cared for them. Social stimulus is important for Mums to do. So do not like them all being typecased as Single drinking Mums.. Moderation in all things but time out is important too

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  • Except for the bit about drinking and being hungover when you have your child to look after, I dont agree with this article…. Single mothers or partnered mothers need a break and some down time. If you dont look after yourself then you cant look after your child/children properly. I am a single mum now but have been married twice. I have often had time for myself over the years either with friends or sisters. I dont drink but enjoy coffee and company AND nights out dancing. This mother has a lot of growing up to do and still has so much to learn….

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  • i think she has chosen her words poorly & she is actually directing her “disgust” at going out on the weekend and getting drunk. I’m curious what she thinks of a cuppa or book club, grabbing some dinner with a friend. I think this has been blown out of proportion and I’m a single mum.

    Reply

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