Ms Elliot: ‘Surely I’m not the only single person in town... Am I?’

Moving and coming to a new place is always tricky.

New place, new neighbours and making new friends. It’s an exciting challenge, but also a daunting one.

It’s even harder when you’re worried about social stigma.

In Worthing, everyone seems to be like Noah’s animals – two by two. I have met tons of couples – Simon and Jessica, Amy and James, Ruth and Jasper, and many more. Friendly and warm – yes.

But I have yet to meet one other single parent.

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When I tell people of my single status, I either get a shocked response or one close to pity.

Inexplicably, I have also been mocked – as if I had brought my singledom upon myself. (It is not by choice).

Single dads are revered by society – “See how he sacrificed his own goals and dreams to spend time with his small children, isn’t that heroic?”.

But single mums are seen as somehow failing.

They might have great kids and a great career – but look, there’s something missing, isn’t there? Sorry if I sound a bit whingey, but February is a tough time of year for us singletons. (Apparently there are 11 million single people in the UK – I just haven’t found any in Worthing).

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I’d love to meet a strong, warm, confident man, but that hasn’t happened.

On the plus side I think I’ve found a new house. So, although my love life is non-existent, at least I am making my Worthing dreams come true.

Ms Elliot asks: Do you think there is still a stigma about being a single parent?

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Ms Elliot is a writer, traveller and creative type. Mother of one and a disastrous cook, she is a native Londoner but has lived in the South Pacific, South America, North America... and now Worthing. She will be sharing her experiences as she finds her feet in her new home in a new town. You can follow her on Twitter at @MsElliot1