From a young age, I was taught I needed to find a man to marry in order to not end up alone in the world.

As a woman, I wasn’t capable of looking after myself – at least that was the message from my Cypriot-Australian culture — I needed a husband to help me do that.

There was no mention of love or sexual or emotional compatibility and connection.

The checklist consisted of other credentials: Did he come from a good family? Did he have a good job? Money? Was he a family man?

When I got married at 22 my relationship ticked all those boxes.

It was great until it all started to feel terribly wrong. And then, 10 years later, I got divorced.

ABC Everyday’s Perspectives is all about giving you a chance to write about what you’re going through. Chances are there are others out there experiencing the same highs, lows and life experiences. Email us your 20-word pitch: [email protected]

Dating after divorce

After we split, I explored different casual relationships as a single mother.

These relationships were mostly rooted in sexual chemistry.

It made sense, considering I was never taught anything about sex or sexual compatibility other than it was a sin outside marriage.

It was as if my body was paving a way forward.

Help for grandparents struggling with their child’s divorce

A grandmother who lost contact with grandchildren during her son’s divorce inspires a new national support group for the “forgotten” victims of relationship breakdowns.

Read more

With family ties still strained and stressful complications with co-parenting, after seven years of casual dating, I once again fell into another safe and comfortable relationship.

It ticked all the boxes but left me feeling frustrated and like a dead fish.

I think single mothers, particularly those who suffer from chronic illness, as I do, are vulnerable to gravitating to such relationships out of fear they will not be OK on their own.

But in …….

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/dating-as-a-single-mum-with-chronic-illness/100518792