What a great opportunity
it was to be asked by BBC5 Live Radio to come on their show for the Mother’s Day Special! I was so happy when I received the phone from the researcher, who said that the aim of the show was to showcase and highlight single mums more positively – especially as being a single mum has such a negative portrayal.
I jumped at the opportunity, as this sits very much in line with my ethical values and is the stereotype that I most want to challenge: that ‘Single Mums are Bad Mums.’ Oh, and by the way, the answer is: No, we are not all sad and depressed and waiting on someone come along to love us and pity us because the relationships with the fathers of our children did not quite work out.
As I look back on the experience, I must say a big Thank you to the BBC5 Live for making me feel like a celebrity for the day. I was treated very well and everything ran according to plan; the hotel at Media City was very nice, especially the breakfast. Oh, did I forget to mention that the show was aired live at the BBC Studio in Manchester Media City, which meant me travelling from London to Manchester the night before the show and staying in a very lovely hotel? (Which also meant I had a break from doing the school run and a bit of me-time.) I was asked to arrive at the studio at 7am, as we were going to be on the breakfast show, and was met by the researcher who I had only been liaising with via email.
It was so lovely to put a face to name. She then brought me up to the BBC5 Live floor, introduced me to the three ladies who I was going to be on the show with: Anna, Hannah and Zoe, who are also ‘single mums’ like myself – the label society uses to describe us, though not my preferred term.
However, as four women who just met for the first time that morning we really connected so well and had lots in common with each other, especially regarding the stages that all are children are at.
Anna also had her three-month-old baby Matilda with her – such a cutie pie, and very well behaved on live radio indeed! We were interviewed my Clare McDonald and each had an opportunity to introduce ourselves and say how many children we had, what being a single mother was like, and how we have overcome. What was so amazing about being on live radio was that it received such a great response from the listeners – so much so that we were then asked to stay longer to interact with the callers. It was great hearing a few callers quote what I had said during the interview, one comment being, “Every day should be mothers day”, another comment being, “Being a single mum is just your status; it does not define who you are” Clare, who interviewed us, was such a lovely lady; she said, “Fiona you are so positive we need to get you back on the show.”
Another highlight for me was when the producer of the show came out to meet us all, introduced herself and said, ‘You ladies were fantastic! I’m the producer of the show and it’s a pleasure to meet you.’ She also added, ‘I am also a single mum of two girls.’ We got chatting and I bounced a few ideas to her, deciding to seize the moment. All in all, it was a great day, and always a pleasure doing what you know has been something you were once ashamed of, then get given the platform to use your pain positively to inspire others. To be honest, I never thought I’d become a single mum. It was never the plan. Due to circumstances it’s my position at present, but I believe it’s not the end of story for me. I hope this blog encourages you to keep your head up, and no matter what situation you might find yourself in at present, view it as just a season in your life, and like every season, it will change. I hope you enjoyed reading.
Fiona Small
