Just me making all the calls: How do you manage the constant pressure?

Alright, need a gut check from the other solo parents out there.

I’m finding the mental load of being the only decision-maker is really starting to get to me lately. My son, Wyatt, is 8, and the choices are getting a lot bigger than just what to pack for lunch. We’re talking navigating tricky friendship dynamics, trying to figure out if we can afford the extracurriculars all his mates are doing, and fielding questions about his dad that I don’t always have a script for. It’s the constant, non-stop responsibility of knowing that every single call—good or bad—is mine alone. There’s no one to turn to at the end of the day and ask, “What do you reckon about this?” It’s just me, and some days the pressure to get it right feels massive.

A perfect example came up last week. Wyatt was invited to his first proper sleepover at a friend’s place, and I’ve only met the mum briefly at school pickup. My head was just spinning with it. Is it safe? Do I know them well enough? What if he has a nightmare? What if I look like a paranoid mess for asking a million questions? Another couple could hash this out and share the worry, but I just sat there after he was asleep, going over every possible scenario by myself. It’s exhausting trying to be both the relaxed ‘yes’ parent and the responsible ‘risk assessment’ parent all in one.

So, my question is, how do you actually manage this? I’m not after “you’re doing great” platitudes, I’m after practical strategies. Do you have a trusted friend you designated as your sounding board? Do you have a mental checklist you run through to stop yourself from getting stuck in an anxiety loop? How do you build the confidence to just make the call and trust your own judgment when you’re the only one in the room? Any real-world tips for not letting the weight of it all completely flatten you would be a massive help.