!['Society has programmed us to be negative'](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583505918/1717477564/articles/E-HbSQt3S1717486680564/SOCIETY-HAS-PROGRAMMED-US-TO-BE-NEGATIVE.jpg)
For almost a decade, Country file's Melissa Porter found herself juggling a busy career and single-handedly raising her son.
The 51-year-old TV presenter's story isn't so unusual on the face of it - she moved to America 15 years ago, fell in love and had a baby. What came afterwards was trickier, though - and what she describes as a "terrifying" and "lonely" experience.
The couple had an acrimonious split and she found herself back in the UK, bringing up her son alone.
In an exclusive chat with OK!, Melissa admits she had to learn to protect her mental health and how to recover from the breakdown of the relationship. She also tells us she had to take a step back to recognise she might be part of the problem, but that dreams can still come true regardless of what you have to fight through. Her happily ever after came when her current partner adopted her son Pierce, who is now 13 years old.
But Melissa's journey to happiness wasn't easy. Navigating a difficult break-up and tackling parenting alone was a tough wake-up call, yet one that Melissa recognises is probably common for lots of women.
"After my son turned two, he and I were alone. I was the sole carer and looked after Pierce," Melissa claims.
Describing life as a single mother, Melissa, who has also presented Escape To The Country and Britain's Dream Homes, adds, "It's really hard because it's lonely and scary financially. I didn't have a best mate to bounce off, to share my successes and struggles with. I was trying to figure it out myself, and I didn't have the best people around me all the time; it was really scary."
The biggest challenge Melissa says she faced when it came to raising her son was trying to co-parent with her ex. "If you've got someone that doesn't want to collaborate or share and they just want to have it their way, that is really tricky," she says.
This story is from the June 10, 2024 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 10, 2024 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Sing for your supper](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/Hh30DwuNX1719924335850/SING-FOR-YOUR-SUPPER.jpg)
Sing for your supper
Delicious Singaporean cuisine inspired by Indian, Chinese and Malay flavours
![ON THE MEND - PRINCESS ANNE IS RECOVERING WELL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/PzIM8A3cm1719924217180/ON-THE-MEND-PRINCESS-ANNE-IS-RECOVERING-WELL.jpg)
ON THE MEND - PRINCESS ANNE IS RECOVERING WELL
The Princess Royal's husband Sir Timothy Laurence gives an update after she suffered a head injury on her estate
![TRICS AND TREATS - STARS SHINE AT ANNUAL AWARDS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/ahJjGm3fC1719923908583/TRICS-AND-TREATS-STARS-SHINE-AT-ANNUAL-AWARDS.jpg)
TRICS AND TREATS - STARS SHINE AT ANNUAL AWARDS
A)host of television and radio favourites gathered to celebrate the best in the business at the TRIC Awards 2024
![MAKING MEMORIES - Inspiring people is the key for me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/QtSDE8hkX1719923743500/MAKING-MEMORIES-INSPIRING-PEOPLE-IS-THE-KEY-FOR-ME.jpg)
MAKING MEMORIES - Inspiring people is the key for me
TV restoration expert Dominic Chinea on how crafting helps our health and the planet
![STILL THE ONE - 'Getting to play Glastonbury is a beautiful feeling'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/b9iYYLb2K1719923559535/STILL-THE-ONE-GETTING-TO-PLAY-GLASTONBURY-IS-A-BEAUTIFUL-FEELING.jpg)
STILL THE ONE - 'Getting to play Glastonbury is a beautiful feeling'
Following Shania Twain's incredible performance at this year's festival, we celebrate an icon who is a truly worthy legend
![FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/2Sg0hOzc01719923316516/FUN-FOR-ALL-THE-FAMILY.jpg)
FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY
There's something for kids of all ages to enjoy at these two great British family attractions
![THE ROYAL WEEK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/_E5wu-tj91719923117320/THE-ROYAL-WEEK.jpg)
THE ROYAL WEEK
Welcoming Japanese guests, environmental events, a state banquet and a tea party with inspirational youngsters were on the agenda
!['Queen Camilla fangirled me - she went wild!'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/h9_92sOaO1719922914500/QUEEN-CAMILLA-FANGIRLED-ME-SHE-WENT-WILD.jpg)
'Queen Camilla fangirled me - she went wild!'
West End superstar Marisha Wallace reveals she's got the royal seal of approval and tells us how two A-listers led to the love of her life
![KEEPING IN STEP - 'Of course we want family in the future -absolutely!'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/yPzAKD4A71719921578007/KEEPING-IN-STEP-OF-COURSE-WE-WANT-FAMILY-IN-THE-FUTURE-ABSOLUTELY.jpg)
KEEPING IN STEP - 'Of course we want family in the future -absolutely!'
Fresh from a romantic holiday in Jamaica, professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giada Lini open up to OK! on finding time to enjoy married life, plans to start a family and why they don't fear the \"Strictly curse\"
![JUMPING FOR JOY - HURRAY! HERE COMES SUMMER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21046/1752347/2QXkjUFvo1719921397599/JUMPING-FOR-JOY-HURRAY-HERE-COMES-SUMMER.jpg)
JUMPING FOR JOY - HURRAY! HERE COMES SUMMER
As the school year draws to a close for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, we learn how the family might spend their well-earned break