Also in regards to benefits, I wasn't saying you need to sign on but with a single income you're entitled to money from maternity and sure start grants and monthly money such as child benefit and child tax credits. People who are on low income, couples even get them too. Just look into to it whether you quality and it will make your life easier. Also painting walls is a piece of piss. My mom decorated the entire house whilst pregnant with my youngest sister. Just ask family, friends ect to give you a helping hand with things.
I re did a whole house single handed, (from a ruin and i mean no floor or joists etc) my dh had work and the house needed doing before we could move in, I fit new radiators and a new bathroom, stripped the whole house, painted the house, helped put up a stud wall and new celing and floor joists and flooring. Helped carry stone when the windows where being put in. mixed cement to fill in holes and point. The only thing i didnt do was the electrics, fit the kitchen or plastering. All while heavly pregnant and on maternity leave. We couldn't afford to get builders in.
When i was pregnant before maternity i was working as a plumber fitting heating, bathrooms etc. Honestly we can do a lot more than we think and its great to get some good life skills in.
This isnt to say your lazy but its to say even with the dad in the babys life there are times that we need to get things done alone. My husband now hasnt decorated ive done it all id be waiting forever for him to get it done.
