No matter what the circumstance, parenthood can be extremely trying and the ultimate challenge of endurance and patience, but there is no doubt that some periods will prove more difficult than others.

Having become a single father-of-two after enduring years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his ex-wife, one young man sought comfort in Gingerbread - a website which gave a voice to single-parent families.

"When my ex left, I had no idea what I was going to do, the worry about the affect this was going to have on my children and our lives made me feel physically sick, unable to sleep and that feeling of being totally alone had to be swept aside because I still had to face whatever else life was about to throw at me in day to day life," he wrote in a touching blog published today in the Huffington Post.

Having described himself as both a "walking wallet" and "verbal and physical punchbag" during his time as a married man, the blogger was overwhelmed by the support he received from individuals in similar situations - people who valued his opinion, input and contribution.

Having struck up a rapport with a single mother, the dad-of-two admitted his past experience had tainted his views of the opposite sex, but was willing to meet in order to establish a more solid friendship.

"We expected nothing more than friendship from our meeting, just nice to put a face to our messages and chats, I was blown away when she arrived because I didn't think she would, just goes to show that you can't tar the opposite sex all with the same brush!"

 


Upon realising there was more to their bond than just friendship, the couple began dating - a decision which has impacted hugely on the blogger's view of life, love and relationships, remarking: "Whatever your current situation, there is always somebody worse off than yourself and also we never know what's just round the corner in life either! "

Acknowledging that his ultimate good fortune is not reminiscent of every single parent's situation, he insists it's important to keep the faith, writing: "My advice to other single parents would be to never give up and never give in!"

"​We're the lucky ones, some people spend their whole life looking for that special someone that'll treat you right and appreciate you for you, we've found that now and our old chapter of life has been closed and a new one started, of course it's still there but don't let your past ruin your future, we're writing it as we go along and loving every second."

Turning his attention to the numerous struggles faced by single parents on a daily basis, he finishes his touching post with the advice: "Stay strong and have your voice heard, don't be afraid to ask for help, it's not a sign of weakness, it's actually a sign of true strength, knowing you're willing to do whatever it takes to survive, because we all need a little help sometimes."

The blog is part of the Huffington Post's Making Modern Love feature.

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