MARRIED At First Sight star Marilyse Corrigan reveals how she has navigated dating as a single mother.
The 37-year-old mother of two teenage boys was paired with divorcee Franky on MAFS UK earlier this year.
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Here, Marilyse opens up about finding new love whilst raising two teenage boys.
The first time my eldest son Callum, was placed in my arms, it was a shock.
At 20, it was the first time I’d even seen a newborn baby. My sister Sheralyn was one of my birthing partners, and just moments before he was born I said to her: “I’m too young to be doing this.”
Then they passed him to me and I fell immediately in love.
I was young, but I was really independent – I had moved out of my mum’s at 17 because she was emigrating to Spain.
By the time I fell unexpectedly pregnant by my then-fiancé, I was ready to be a mum and had no regrets, even though none of my friends had kids.
It was hectic, but I was young enough to run around after them.
Their dad was brilliant with Callum, now 16, and Joshua, 13, but we broke up about eight years ago because we grew apart.
We’re very amicable as parents, though. We don’t argue and I consider him a friend – we spend the kids’ birthdays together.
It was hard adjusting to being a single mum.
My mum Elaine, 72, has never lived nearby, so I didn’t really have anyone in my family to help me.
I would get breaks when their dad had them, but I had to juggle my working life – I created a gym in my house so I could train my PT clients while still being around for the children.
About six months after I broke up with the kids’ dad, I started dating again. I would get a babysitter or date on weekends when they were with their dad.
I was paranoid about men I met not treating my kids how I wanted them to be treated.
I would introduce them after a couple of weeks, but the relationships never became serious.
Keen to meet the man of my dreams, I decided to apply for Married At First Sight UK because I wanted to be scientifically matched with someone.
You want people to accept you and your kids as a package
Marilyse Corrigan
Before going on the show, I mentioned it to my kids’ dad and we agreed to not have the boys’ names mentioned.
The producers wanted Franky [Spencer, 47, her match] to meet them in the homestay, but we said no.
I’m glad we kept it that way, because you don’t know how you’re going to be painted or how people are going to see you, and I wouldn’t want them involved in that.
When I spoke to the kids, they were totally up for me doing it. Even when I was having doubts beforehand, they were encouraging. They would say: “Mum, just do it, what have you got to lose?”
On the show, Franky said he’d rather meet someone who didn’t have children, and I was like: “Oh”.
You want people to accept you and your kids as a package.
But when he met them after filming ended, he tried really hard and would have little man-to-man chats with them if he could see one of them was upset about something.
I remember we went out for a meal and the kids were playing on their phones, and he was like: “Are they bored? Do they need entertaining?” and I said: “They’re fine, this is what they like doing. They’re talking to their friends.”
But the kids really liked Franky. I remember my youngest said: “He’s intimidating, but he’s got a good figure!”
Franky was good to them, but we fizzled out in September.
The missing piece of my jigsaw is a man, but it’s not my priority – I’ve got so much else
Marilyse Corrigan
We got to a point where we spent too much time together. He came into my world and saw everything – and I saw nothing of his.
All I saw was “Franky from Dubai,” so there was an imbalance in the relationship.
The boys were a bit disappointed, but they didn’t get too upset when things ended, as they just want the best for me.
Though they’ve kept in touch with Franky – and even text him!
I’m still open-minded about dating. After you’ve had kids, you don’t have to think your time’s passed.
I’ve always made time for myself and still had fun with my friends.
I’ve got a busy life, and the missing piece of my jigsaw is a man, but it’s not my priority – I’ve got so much else.
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