She was happy to be a single mother

Even if I think that it is best for children to have both parents, there are lots of reasons against that too. A child needs aresponsible father from whom he can get a model. I don´t think an alcoholic who is not interested in his son would serve any purpose.
I wasn´t a single mother but I thing that if I hadn´r had a wonderful husband I still would have wanted a child. I´m not sure if, in that case, I would have got pregnant orI would have tried to adopt as there are so many children that need a home and love.
Some people get on fine with or without children. I don´t think it has much to do with parenting. It´s something that has to do with personality, strienght and endurance.
Happy posting, friend!

Except for a 10 year marriage, I've been a single mother since I was 21. Ben sounds like my ex. The only thing he's good for is holding a beer can. The only good that came out of him was 2 of my 3 children.
Honestly, if I had it to do over again, I still would have had the children, just not the man.

First of all, never believe what a man tells you! lol But I think Ella is quite incredible. She made an error in judgment with that man, but what came out of it was a wonderful child, and an ability to persevere, something she probably never knew she had quite so much of. It obviously brought out the best in her, and I say congratulations to her. Congratulations for making a wonderful life for her child, and for herself. As for Ben, he deserves a kick in the behind, and a couple months in jail for failure to pay child support. Even if Ella doesn't need his money, he has an obligation.

I imagine that anyone who abandons a responsiblity to a child of theirs is really irresponsible.
The woman is to be admired for getting a degree while having to tend to a baby and then succeeding in business.
The guy is also a fool. For the sake of his own convenience he lost a wonderful woman.

Looks like the benefits of unprotected s€x still outweigh the risks of Pregnancy,HIV and AIDS transmission for some,not to mention other STD's..I'd heard of a Woman who had a baby by a Guy She was with,who claimed He'd had a Vasectomy..Either it wasn't a very good one,or He was Lying to get to bed Her without protection..You said He (Ben) tried to get out of paying child maintenance-did he fail the attempt and have to pay? If He got away without paying, It seems they got what they Wanted..They both got a Holiday Fling,She got a Son She's happy to Have,and He seems to be still free to go around doing his "Wild Oats" thing with no responsibilities..I know some Single Mothers,but am not close enough to have conversations on how they get on without the Father or any Man around...

Hi max, firstly I think any father, no matter what the circumstances, who turn their back on their own children, are a waste of space, and if proven to be the father should be forced to help support their child. As far as Ella goes, well she must have been a little gulible to fall for that old one in the first place, but I admire her, and in hind side, the baby is probably better off without its fathers influence.

I am never one to judge any person's own state of happiness. I commend her for being the brave mother that she is. Times are tough and it is good that she has her priorities straight.
I do not care for men who doesn't have a care in the world.

Sometimes there are reasons for a child not to be with both parents in this situation it sounds like there is a valid reason. My husbands parents are both alcoholics and it would have been best if they cared more for him rather than the drink. However at the end of the day they are his family and nothing can change that fact. It must be so hard for that mother on her own, but she is obviously doing her best job.

I think that evry single mothers are brave women, they have to deal with more difficulties than normal mothers. But the hardest time is not at the childhood of their kids, they have to prepare to anwser if one day their children ask about their father. So, I hope that Ella, as well as all the other single mums, will find a good man to be by her side.

I am a single mother with 2 teenagers. I left my alcoholic husband when they were 3 and 5. I had to walk away from 2 houses but it was worth it. I worked my way up and am doing quite well. We are in my 7th house right now. Each time we move we move up a bit. Kids have everything they need though my ex is not paying child support like he is supposed to. In 2009 so far I have rceived just 2.5 payments. It is tough sometimes but that just makes me work harder for them. I can certainly identify with Ella.