I have a few friends who are single parents for various reasons. They laugh at me (yes, I know that you do) when I complain about having to do the single parenting shtick for a while. Last week, I was away for 4 days in luxury. Well, not quite real luxury, but without my kids so it felt that way. I was working long hours and had a lot of other things on the go, but it's not quite the same as having the kids around. Somehow, long hours and hard work are energizing without the kids. I only need my energy for me and I get to make more choices and there are fewer demands.
So I guess it's only fair that this week, hubby is away for a few days and so I am doing the single parenting. So far, touch wood - we seem to be doing ok. It's easier now that the kids are older. I used to get incredibly stressed out about my single parenting episodes. When the kids were in diapers, or not sleeping well at night, or unable to be left safely alone without constant surveillance, then it was seriously stressful. Now, with the boys at 9 and 7 yrs old, they can sit and eat without me if need be. They can get an apple from the fridge, wash it and eat it if they are screamingly hungry and can't wait the 15 minutes until dinner. They can sit and read and do their own homework. They can even (gasp!) operate the DVD player if they are really bored, though this morning when I suggested that they might wish to watch a movie while I was in the shower, they decided instead to leaf through old Lego magazines and play on the electronic keyboard... (which I think is quite amazing really and I'm totally proud of their choice to do that!)
I'm certainly not wonder-mom for doing this - there are many parents out there who successfully and patiently look after their kids day in and day out on their own. For me, this is a change of scenery, that's all - but it's a good one. Makes me appreciate the hubby a bit more.
No comments:
Post a Comment